Gov’t to Register & License All Tourism Enterprises

The Ugandan government, through the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), has launched a comprehensive initiative to register and license all tourism enterprises across the country. This initiative aims to identify and eliminate illegal operators in the tourism sector.

The focus is on unlicensed establishments, including hotels, restaurants, guesthouses, tour operators, and travel agents, ensuring they meet legal and industry standards. Lilly Ajarova, the Executive Director of the UTB, addressed tourism police officers at Hotel Africana, highlighting the importance of this initiative. She stated that any tourism enterprise operating without a license is acting illegally according to the law.

Ajarova also raised concerns about certain tour operators who defraud tourists, urging travelers to engage only with recognized and registered businesses. While many larger facilities are already compliant, she noted that numerous smaller establishments remain unregistered, violating necessary accommodation standards.

The UTB plans to partner with key stakeholders, including the police, to educate accommodation facility owners on the significance of licensing. This initiative will inform business owners about the minimum standards required, provide them with time to comply, and facilitate the registration and licensing process before enforcement begins.

Currently, the registration and inspection fee for accommodation facilities is set at 100,000 Ugandan shillings, with an annual licensing fee of 200,000 shillings. These fees are subject to review, and future charges may vary. As of now, only accommodation facilities have established fees, while other tourism enterprises do not.

Ajarova emphasized the collaborative effort with the police to educate accommodation providers, regardless of whether they cater to national or international visitors.

Patrick Lawot, commandant of the Tourism Police, stressed the need for a non-confrontational approach during enforcement to minimize community resistance. He pointed out that many stakeholders in the tourism sector often operate independently of legal requirements, complicating enforcement efforts.

Lawot underscored the importance of ongoing enforcement and education, noting that tourism facilities seeking security from the Tourism Police must now be registered and licensed by the UTB.

This initiative is designed to ensure all tourism enterprises comply with legal standards, enhancing service quality and protecting tourists from fraudulent practices.