In a seven-day engagement, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) supported Ruboni Tourism Village by training ten participants from two community-based tourism enterprises: Rwenzori Mountaineering Services and Ruboni Community Camp. The training took place from 15th to 21st July 2026 at Uhuru 50 Hotel in Kasese Municipality.
The training, titled "Provision of Marketing and Business Development Support to Selected Community-Based Tourism Enterprises (CBTEs) under the IFPA-CD Project," was organized under the Investment for Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development (IFPA-CD) Project. The initiative reflects UWA's continued commitment to strengthening community livelihoods while promoting sustainable tourism and conservation around Uganda's protected areas.
Participants received practical knowledge across a broad range of tourism enterprise development topics, including tourism product development, financial management and planning, first aid and emergency response, tourism business concepts, community-based tourism, CBTE risk analysis, tourism marketing, the application of artificial intelligence in tourism, customer care and visitor handling, ethical practices, and gender equality and inclusion in tourism enterprises.
The training further reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between the Uganda Wildlife Authority and community-based tourism enterprises operating near national parks and within traditional wildlife corridors. Through the IFPA-CD Project, UWA continues to recognize that strong community enterprises create sustainable livelihoods, strengthen conservation efforts, and promote positive relationships between protected areas and neighboring communities. The programme also provided an excellent opportunity for participants to network, exchange experiences, and build relationships with fellow tourism enterprises, consultants, and UWA staff.
The training was delivered by Prosper Consult, a respected Ugandan consultancy firm with extensive experience in tourism and enterprise development.
As change agents within their organizations, the ten trained participants are expected to share the knowledge and skills gained with their colleagues and begin implementing the action points they identified during the training. The timing of this programme is particularly significant as the tourism sector increasingly embraces sustainability and climate resilience. The knowledge acquired will accelerate the adoption of sustainable tourism practices, strengthen climate change resilience, and improve the long-term competitiveness of community-based tourism enterprises in Ruboni and beyond.