The Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda-CCFU has raised concern over the policy gaps hindering cultural tourism and preservation of culture and heritage in Uganda.
Ms. Barbra Babweteera Mutambi, the Executive Director CCFU says some investors are still hesitant to invest in promoting and preserving culture and heritage due to such policy gaps.
While addressing journalists at the East African Revival Museum in Ruharo Mbarara City yesterday, she called on policy makers, museum managers and other stakeholders to jointly advocate for prioritization of culture and heritage in different community development programs.
This was part of the climaxing event as CCFU concluded a one-week learning journey, with museum managers from different parts of the country now trained in different aspects including Museums and Artificial Intellingence, ahead of tomorrow’s World Museum Day under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities”. Uganda’s national event will be held in Kabale municipality, under the theme “Preserving Heritage, Transforming Communities”.
“Policy makers should consider cultural tourism as one of the money-making ventures Uganda has. Make relevant policies that will ensure that people who are investing in cultural tourism are able to benefit, both financially and socially,” she explained.
CCFU also launched the ‘Inspiration from the Past’ book, showcasing historical buildings and sites in Mbarara city, and the launch was presided over by the Bishop of Ankole diocese Rt. Rev. Associate Prof. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa.
“The government should support museums and other culture and heritage programs for bigger impact. Everyone should support and preserve culture and heritage,” Bishop Sheldon Mwesigwa emphasized.
Museum managers who attended the training and book launch committed themselves to embrace the use of Artificial Intellingence to improve their services.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization-UNESCO statistics and projection indicate that over USD three trillion will be earned from cultural tourism in the next three years worldwide.
