Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has launched a Joint Tourism Security Task Force aimed at safeguarding the integrity of Uganda’s tourism sector and ensuring a secure and professional environment for all visitors.
According to a statement from the board, the new Task Force will bring together key players in the industry, including the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA), private sector representatives, and tourism law enforcement agencies.
The launch, presided over by UTB Chief Executive Officer, Juliana Kagwa, marks a significant step in aligning national security efforts with tourism development.
In her keynote address, Kagwa underscored the urgent need for collective action in addressing the rise of unlicensed and fraudulent operators whose activities undermine Uganda’s image as a top travel destination.
She stressed that tourism, one of the country’s leading foreign exchange earners, relies heavily on trust, safety, and professionalism.
Kagwa added that quack tour operators not only defraud unsuspecting visitors but also erode confidence in the industry, affecting livelihoods across the value chain.
The Joint Task Force will therefore serve as a watchdog, ensuring that only licensed, credible, and professional operators are allowed to offer services in Uganda.
It will also among other things enhance coordination between UTB, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, and private sector associations on tourism security matters, strengthen intelligence sharing to curb fraud, impersonation, and exploitation in the sector, support sustainable tourism growth by protecting Uganda’s global reputation as a safe, authentic, and welcoming destination.
The initiative is expected to restore confidence among visitors, enhance professionalism in service delivery, and safeguard the industry from exploitation.
