AKATEGYENDA COMMUNITY​

Akatagyenda was established as an umbrella organization representing communities in destination areas of S.Western Uganda to understand the importance of traveling leading to tourism as a business, which Akatagyenda believes, is among the best sectors to help communities get out of poverty. Further, its purpose is to empower local communities in sustainable development that can plan, manage and develop themselves.

Uganda, as a tourism destination, had become more suited to the smaller scale, environmentally related tourism called Eco-tourism. The hope of Akatagyenda is the formation of a symbiotic relationship between tourism, indigenous people, and natural, environmentally sensitive areas.

Tourism in Uganda offers one of the best hopes for increasing the income of local people and at the same time preserving ‘protected areas. Akatagyenda encourages communities to develop tourism activities that they can plan, manage and develop themselves. These activities should not take over from the more traditional agricultural-based economies but provide a needed ‘cash crop’.

This is essential to the well-being of the community and the tourism industry that they are trying to create.

Tourism, or rather a lot of tourists, does not mean that the area or inhabitants of an area will directly benefit from that tourism spending. Unless the area of opportunity for the community involves various sectors, the community may not take ownership of this difficult industry. Tourism revenue should not only be reflected in the jobs and expenditure directly related to the visit but should also be found in sectors such as agriculture or construction or health care.

Akatagyenda encourages community opportunity through the development of handicrafts, Bee Keeping as well as dance, song, and drama. These activities widen the opportunity for both the visitor and the community. Shopping is a major part of a holiday. Quality craftwork is something that can be taken home to share the holiday experience. Handcrafts can also be sold outside the community through shops in Kampala, or even exported if community members are well organized and sensitized