The Uganda Uncovered’s 4th edition of the Travel Writing Competition climaxed with an Awarding Ceremony on Friday, 31st January, at the offices of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) in Kampala and presided over by the UTB’s deputy chief executive officer Bradford Ochieng.
While awarding winners, the deputy CEO appreciated 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 a desired tourism destination much easier; that’s why we have always endeavoured to be part of all the editions of this competition,” Ochieng said.
On behalf of UTB, the deputy CEO 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,” the deputy CEO noted.
In the same context, 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 said.
In addition, the UTB Public Relations Manager expressed optimism that the increasing number of participants in the Travel Writing Competitions each year indicates how many Ugandans are interested 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,” he noted.
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,” Namisango stated.
She further explained that the first edition of Travel Writing Competitions held in 2021 saw 54 writers participating, and 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,” the Uncovered team leader noted.
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 shs 500,000, shs 300,000 and shs 200,000, respectively, plus brand new mobile phones and fully paid-for-trip. Michael Turyakira emerged as the overall Best Travel Writer of the Year 2024, followed by Winnie Nakiboneka and Bushirah Nalutaaya, who came in the third position.
The best writer was also given a timeless plaque Award. 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.
In her closing remarks, Namisango appreciated all the partners for their support towards the Travel Writing Competition 2024, including Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Itel Uganda, Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC), Extreme Adventure Park Busiika, CTC Conservation Centre, and Mango Safaris, among others and also asked more partners to join the movement ahead of this year’s edition.
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