Unlicensed Tour Guides Hurting Tourism in Kigezi

The presence of unlicensed tour guides and operators in Kigezi region is hurting the tourism industry, Kisoro district Tourism Officer Richard Munezero says.

He explains that some unscrupulous people disguise themselves as tour operators and end up cheating, robbing and mistreating tourists adding that the sector will suffer a major setback if such situations are not addressed.

James Mukwase, a tour transporter in the area, says that the presence of the fake guides frustrates visitors some of whom have ended up cancelling their visits. He implores the Uganda Tourism board to clean up the sector and ensure that ill-intentioned individuals do not infiltrate the industry.

Kabale District Tourism Officer Benson Kitabire Kasigazi told Uganda Radio Network that his office has registered four cases of tourists who have been cheated in less than a month. He however adds that they are working with the police to weed bad characters out of the industry.

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Simon Byamukama one of the directors at Paradise Eco-hub on Itambira Island on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi calls for close coordination between the operators and the regulatory authorities. He says that working together is key to identifying challenges and possible solutions.

However, Lawrence Muhangi, one of the unlicensed tour guides says that although he enjoys the work, he does not have enough money to obtain the required training by the Uganda Tourism Board. He admits that some of his colleagues hide under the cover of being unknown and take the advantage of tourists.

Innocent Asiimwe, the director of quality assurance at Uganda Tourism Board says that for one to qualify as a tour guide, he or she must possess a license from the sector's regulatory body.

Asiimwe says that all tour operators are mandated to send their guides to the board for training and examination before issuance of licenses. The training equips guides with skills in handling clients, customer care, information dissemination and communication skills.

Asiimwe says that the body is ready to deal with those who disguise as guides but revealed that this can only be achieved with the help of the tour operators.