The Uganda Tourism Association (UTA) announced the appointment of renowned journalist cum tourism entrepreneur Muhereza Kyamutetera as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1st October 2024. Kyamutetera’s appointment was confirmed by the UTA board over the weekend.
Kyamutetera the current Executive Editor of CEO East Africa Magazine has over 15 years of experience in the media and the Public Relations Industry. He comes on board with a wealth of experience in strategy, marketing, and communications, and is passionate about Uganda’s tourism industry. He has worked with over 100 brands in various sectors, including tourism, financial services, energy, and more.
His appointment comes at a time when the tourism sector is yet to recover from the effects of COVID 19. While international tourist receipts grew by 48.5% in 2023 from UGX.2,751.5bn in 2022 to reach UGX 3,818.6bn (USD 1.025 bn), this is only 83.4% of UGX 4,580.4 billion recorded in 2019. In addition although tourism contributed USD 2.8 billion (5.5%) to Uganda’s GDP in 2023, this is USD300 million less than the USD 3.1 billion contribution in 2019. The sector is also still grappling with the highest Non-Performing Loans to Gross Loans Ratio of 12.1% as of May 2024, according to the Bank of Uganda.
His leadership will be key in turning around the above picture and driving UTA’s vision of a thriving, inclusive tourism sector that contributes to Uganda’s national development.
UTA President, Yewagnesh Biriggwa, expressed her excitement, saying, “We are thrilled to have Mr. Kyamutetera onboard at this critical time for the tourism sector.”
Kyamutetera added, “I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to increase the volume and value of tourism in Uganda.” He called on the government to play its part by investing in the sector fully as detailed in the NDP III.
UTA is the umbrella organisation that brings together tourism trade associations in Uganda. Their purpose is to build a professional, competitive, thriving, and inclusive tourism sector for member associations, thereby sustainably contributing to Uganda’s national development agenda.