The 4th Edition of Travel Writing Competition 2024 was climaxed with an Awarding Ceremony on January 31, 2025.
The event was held at the offices of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) in Kampala and presided over by the UTB deputy chief executive officer Mr. Bradford Ochieng.
He lauded the Uganda Uncovered team, which organises the annual Travel Writing Competitions, for bringing on board budding writers and interesting them in Uganda’s beauty.
“The initiative of travel writing propelled many Ugandans to go out there and tour their own country. They came back and told the stories in a captivating way. This made the UTB work of marketing Uganda as desired tourism destination, much easier that’s why we have always endeavoured to be part in all the editions of this competition,” remarked the deputy CEO.
On behalf of UTB, Mr. Ochieng expressed commitment to continue supporting the Travel Writing initiative and training of travel writers. “Tourism is regaining its 1st position as Uganda’s top foreign exchange earner and the government is strongly banking on it, in the new National Development Plan (NDP IV) to spur the country’s economic development.
The plan aims at increasing foreign exchange earnings from US$1b to US$10b. We shall achieve this by aggressive marketing and promotion of Uganda’s tourist attractions through initiatives such as the Travel Writing Competition,” he said.
In the same regard, Mr. Simplicious Gessa, the head of public relations and communications at UTB said, there are vast opportunities in the writing and story-telling field.
“Those years ago, if we had people who could write our own stories, we would not grow up learning how some foreigners discovered our own natural wonders,” Gessa expressed.
He expressed optimism that the increasing number of participants in the Travel Writing Competitions each year, indicates how many Ugandans are interesting in telling their own stories from their own perspective.
“There is enough space and platforms in Magazines, newspapers, websites and blogs where this content can always be published. We encourage you to continue interesting yourselves in writing. And we believe there are so many employment opportunities in this particular field,” noted the UTB Public Relations Manager.
Allen Irene Namisango, the Team Leader at Uganda Uncovered gave a brief background of the Travel Writing Competition which started in 2021, when the world was just recovering from the ripple effects of COVID-19.
“We wanted to encourage people, especially Ugandans to travel and visit their beautiful endowments. We are grateful for the overwhelming participation each year,” MS. Namisango stated.
She noted that the first edition of Travel Writing Competitions held in 2021 saw 54 writers participating. The number has astronomically been increasing with over 317 participants registered in the 2024 competitions.
“These competitions are a trademark to the array of tourism activities we engage in. Several countries in the region have extended an invitation to us, to have a similar endeavour implemented in their tourism sector,” she revealed.
All the Top 20 Travel Writers were awarded certificates and gift hampers from itel mobile phone company plus several branded apparel from the Uganda Tourism Board.
The top 3 writers bagged shs500,000, shs300,000 and shs200,000 in their ascension order plus brand new mobile phones and fully paid-for-trip. The best writer was also given a timeless plaque Award.
Michael Turyakira emerged the overall Best Travel Writer of the year 2024, followed by Winnie Nakiboneka and Bushirah Nalutaaya came in the third position.
Other Travel Writers who made it to the top 20 list include; Titus Nsubuga, Collins Mark Katamba, Jacqueline Penina Babirye, Isaac Namanya, Alex Kayola, Irene Chosen Akellot, Precious Mbabazi, Joel Kibirango, Canine Safaris, Racheal Matsiko, Gilian Ninsiima Mubangizi, Amos Mbyemire, Beatrice Naigaga, Dinah Kansiime, Jacky Phiona, Jannat Nakasanje and Timothy Ogwok Ogwok.
