Uganda’s tourism sector is one of the significant sectors with the potential to generate more revenue if adequately funded and marketed, lawmakers have re-echoed.

The Members of Parliament (MPs) were responding to the Ministerial Policy Statement of the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry that was adopted during plenary on Thursday, 11 April 2024.

Presenting the report, the committee’s deputy chairperson, Hon. Catherine Lamwaka, said that whilst the Uganda Tourism Board requires Shs4 billion to promote the country’s image, it has not been prioritised in the 2024/2025 financial year budget.

“The committee observed that the National Development Plan III targeted to cumulatively attract 281,760 international tourist arrivals from U.S, Europe and China but only 67,252 arrivals were registered by the end of the first half of Financial Year 2023/24,” read the report in part.

Lamwaka said that the committee was informed that U.S, Europe and China were key target sources for leisure tourists as they stay longer than business tourists.

The committee recommends that government should provide Shs4 billion to the Uganda Tourism Board to engage international and national media houses in production of positive media stories for improved destination image.

Hon. David Kabanda, (NRM, Kasambya County) urged government to provide the required funds to ensure that the country’s tourism sector is boosted.  

“All developing countries prioritise tourism. Go to Rwanda where they have only 26 gorillas and compare Uganda with Rwanda, Uganda has more than 30 but compare the money Uganda puts into tourism,” he said.

He added: “I implore government to put more money in tourism because if we do not widen our tax base, we shall continue squeezing traders and those who cannot pay taxes.”

Sheema Municipality MP, Hon. Dickson Kateshumbwa (NRM, Sheema Municipality) challenged the tourism ministry to develop a comprehensive strategy to place Uganda’s tourism activities at a vantage point.

“We need to be serious with tourism because tourism can contribute more than 20 percent to our Gross Domestic Product,” said Kateshumbwa.

He also cautioned Ministries, Departments and Agencies against communicating negatively about the country, saying that this defeats the intention of marketing the country.

Hon. Jonathan Odur (UPC, Erute County South) asked government to develop standard guidelines in communicating some of the sensitive information about the country, saying that government officials have severally disseminated information that has left potential tourists alarmed.  

“Our image as a country is at stake because we have saboteurs who do not reflect on what they say,” Odur said.

Hon. Susan Amero (Indep., Amuria District Woman MP) and Hon. Rose Obigah (NRM, Terego District Woman MP) both decried the poor road network in national parks and game reserves, saying that the impassable roads have also deterred majority of tourists from visiting national parks.

“The quality of our national parks is and vehicles are substandard. We need to standardise these vehicles because tourism has a lot to do with comfort,” said Obigah.  

Hon. Martin Bahinduka, Minister of State, Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities said that unless the budget of marketing Uganda’s tourism sector is increased, the country will continue to face challenges with attracting tourists.

“The potential of the sector is enormous but the Shs10 billion budget for marketing Uganda is low – you will not do much with it,” he said.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa who concurred with the need to prioritise the tourism sector, also said that to ensure efficiency of the committee, a consideration will be made to split the current committee into two; Tourism and Trade.

“I think we shall need to look at this in future. Let us discuss with the Speaker and the business committee and see whether this committee should still be under Trade and Industry. Tourism has the potential in this country, it is more sustainable. Small countries are attracting millions of tourists,” Tayebwa said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has nominated and appointed additional members of government affecting the Liberia Medical Health Regulatory Authority (LMHRA), the Liberia Institute for Public Administration (LIPA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National AIDS Commission, the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), the National Port Authority (NPA), the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Independent Information Commission (IIC), the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, ((NaFAA),  and the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK). 

These nominations where applicable, are subject to consent by the Liberian Senate. 

The institutions, nominees and appointees are:

I. Liberia Medical Health Regulatory Authority (LMHRA)

1. Dr. Luke Bawo, Managing Director
2. Dr. Patricia Quaye-Freeman, Deputy Managing Director for Technical Services

II. The Board of Liberia Medical Health Regulatory Authority (LMHRA)

1. Dr. David Sumo, Chairman 
2. Chief Pharmacist of Liberia (representing Ministry of Health), Member 
3. Pharmacy Board, Member 
4. Ministry of Justice, Member 
5. Commissioner for Customs (representing the Liberia Revenue Authority), Member 
6. School of Pharmacy (representing the University of Liberia), Member 
7. Liberia Medical and Dental Council, Member 
8. Pharmaceutical Association of Liberia, Member 
9. Yana Boys Association of Liberia, Member  
10. The Managing Director of LMHRA, Secretary, Non-voting member

III. The Board of Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LIPA)
 
1. Dr. Cecelia Cassell, Chairperson 
2. Georgette N. Gray, Member 
3. Marie V. Hayes, Member 
4. Atty. Martus Kotatee Williams, Member
5. Moses Blonkanjay Jackson, Member 
6. Ministry of Education, Institutional Member 
7. Civil Service Agency, Institutional Member

IV. Environmental Protection Agency Policy Council
1. Minister Amin Modad, Chairman
2. Madam Lucia Massalee Yallah, Member 
3. Anthony Konneh, Member 
4. Klubosumo Borh Johnson, Member 
5. Council of Chiefs (one representative), Statutory Member 
6. House of Senate (Two representatives), Statutory Member
7. House of Representatives (Two representatives), Statutory Member 
8. Ministry of Health, Statutory Member 
9. Ministry of Agriculture, Statutory Member 
10. Ministry of Gender, Children&Social Protection, Statutory Member 
11. Ministry of Finance&Development Planning, Statutory Member 
12. Ministry of Transport, Statutory Member 
13. Ministry of Public Works, Statutory Member 
14. Ministry of Education, Statutory Member 
15. Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs&Tourism, Statutory Member 
16. Ministry of Internal Affairs, Statutory Member 
17. Liberia Chamber of Commerce, Statutory Member 
18. Liberia Standards Authority, Statutory Member 
19. Liberia Maritime Authority, Statutory Member 
20. Forestry Development Authority, Statutory Member 
21. Liberia Electricity Corporation, Statutory Member 
22. Liberia Petroleum Refinery Corporation, Statutory Member 
23. Liberia Water&Sewer Corporation, Statutory Member 
24. University of Liberia, Statutory Member 
25. Federation of Liberian Youth, Statutory Member 
26. Liberia National Student Union, Statutory Member 
27. Inter-Religious Council of Liberia, Statutory Member 
28. Liberia Marketing Association, Statutory Member 
29. One representative of all environment-related Non-governmental Organizations selected by the NGO memberships or from their umbrella organization as statutory member.  
30. Association of Architect and Engineers (one representative), Statutory Member 
31. Liberia National Bar Association, Statutory Member 

V. National AIDS Commission 
1. Dr. Cecelia J. Nuta, Chairperson
2. Dr. Mohammed Swaray, Vice Chair, Commissioner for Policy and Program
3. Dr. Alexander Zogbaye, Commissioner for Decentralization
4. Tracy Newon Pency-Kyne, Commissioner for Partnership
5. Rev. Patrick Noah, Commissioner for Monitoring and Evaluation 

VI. National Port Authority (NPA)
1. Mr. Siafa Hage, Co- Chair 
2. Mr. Bedell W. Sandi, Member 
3. Imam Ali Krayee, Member 
4. Dr. Alvin Nah Doe, Member 
5. Hon. Julius J. Goodings, Member 
6. Mr. Peter Dahn, Member 
7. Madam Theresa M. Davies, Member 
8. Mr. James L. Hinneh Jr., Member 
9. Mr. Sahr Johnny, Member                    
10. Ministry of Transport, Member 
11. Ministry of Finance&Development Planning, Member 
12. Ministry of Commerce&Industry, Member 
13. Ministry of Justice, Member 
14. Managing Director of the National Port Authority, Secretary 

VII. Liberia Broadcasting System
1. Mrs. Alexandra B. Amnon, Deputy Director General for Public Affairs
2. Mr. Hassan Kiawu, Deputy Director General for Media Services 
3. Mr. Borgfeldt Lloyd, Deputy Director General for Technical Services
4. Mr. D-Flow Flomo, II, Deputy Director General for New Media&Rebranding
5. Mr. Thomas Guwor, Deputy Director General for Administration

VIII. The Board of the Liberia Broadcasting System 
1. Minister of Information Cultural Affairs&Tourism, Chairperson
2. Ms. Olivia Shannon, Vice Chair
3. Cllr. Kwame Clement, Member
4. Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Member
5. Rev. Fr. Phillip W. Tickey, Member
6. Ms. Hawa Andrews, Member
7. Imam Mohammed M. Konneh, Member
8. Mr. Cyrus Wleh Badio, Member
9. Ms. Welma Campbell Mashinini Redd, Member
10. Cllr. Bushuben M Keita, Member.
11. Mr. Eugene L. Fahngon, Director General (LBS), Secretary and Non-Voting Member 

IX. Independent Information Commission
1. Mr. Togar Joash Hodges, Commissioner
2. Ms. Lorpu P Page, Executive Director and Head of Secretariat

X. Board Members of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NAFAA)
1. Minister of Agriculture, Chairman
2. Ministry of National Defense, Statutory Member
3. Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Statutory Member
4. Ministry of Commerce&Industry, Statutory Member
5. Liberia Maritime Authority, Statutory Member
6. Director General (of NAFAA), Statutory Member Ex-officio, and Board Secretary with no voting rights.

XI. Ministry of Health
1. Dr. Catherine Thomas Cooper, Deputy Minister of Health Services

XII. John F. Kennedy Medical Center
The President has approved the appointment of the following individuals who were vetted and appointed by the Board of Directors of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center:
1. Dr. Linda Birch, Chief Executive Officer&General Administrator
2. ⁠Dr. John Emmanuel Tamba, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Health Services (Chief Medical Officer)
3. ⁠Mrs.  Dama Yekeson Koffa, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Administration
These nominations supersede any previously published in similar agencies and positions. 
President Boakai further calls on all those nominated and appointed to continue to demonstrate diligence, commitment, integrity, professionalism, and loyalty in service to country.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.

The Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (https://www.Afreximbank.com/) have today signed the Agreement for The Bahamas to host the 31st Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM) and the third edition of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF). The AAM will be held in Nassau, The Bahamas, from 12 – 14 June 2024.

Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Afreximbank, said: “Afreximbank’s historic decision to hold the 31st Afreximbank Annual Meetings in The Bahamas will be the first time it has been held in the Caribbean. There is a hugely positive outlook for many African and CARICOM countries – as demonstrated by the IMF’s forecast that seven African countries and one CARICOM country will be in the top 10 fastest growing economies globally – so cementing closer links between the two regions is of clear mutual benefit to accelerate growth and prosperity.

“We are in an era where some major global economies are reacting to geopolitical tensions by restricting international trade to prioritise their domestic industries. This partial move away from the rules-based trading system, where international trade is conducted according to agreed-upon transparent, non-discriminatory, and impartial rules, threatens the longstanding reliance of African economies on global support for shared growth and prosperity. In this context, the theme for the 31st AAM and the 3rd ACTIF is ‘Owing Our Destiny: Economic Prosperity on the Platform of Global Africa.’ This theme reflects our focus on broadening the discourse to determine solutions to the challenges that affect African Caribbean economies, the policy issues required to promote growth, development and prosperity across Africa and the Caribbean, and to accelerate intra-African trade and investment flows, including with the diaspora.”

At the signing ceremony, which was live streamed to reach a global audience, The Honourable Philip Davis, K.C, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, commented: “Hosting both the AAM and ACTIF demonstrates the determination and commitment of The Bahamas to leverage on the shared history, identities, and cultures of AfriCaribbean nations to forge significantly greater trade, investment, and direct transport linkages. Doing so will stimulate economic growth and development, which will feed through to immensely beneficial societal impact. It is also vital that we enhance our global influence by speaking with a unified voice on matters such as securing global action to meaningfully address climate change.” 

In this context of an emergent Global Africa, the holding of the 31st Annual Meetings in the Caribbean, and alongside the ACTIF, is emphasising and accelerating the global opportunities for the AfriCaribbean regions. The impact of the three-day event will be heightened by the Opening Ceremony, the Presidential Plenary and high-level panel sessions. The focus will be on the emerging neo-protectionism from advanced economies and the need for Africans to pursue self-determination in the context of a global Africa that includes the Caribbean and the diaspora generally. Seminars will continue on the second day, while 14 June will be dedicated to the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) and will be marked by colourful events to celebrate shared AfriCaribbean culture, as well as elevating the essence of the two regions shared socio-economic aspirations.

For more information about AAM 2024 and ACTIF 2024 please visit https://2024.AfreximbankEvents.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Mr Vincent Musumba
Manager, Communications and Events (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com
Tel: +20 2 24564100 /1/2/3
Mobile: +201030121123

Ms Lynette Lambert
Senior PR Director
Brand Communications
Email: lynette.lambert@brandcommsgroup.com
Direct Number: +44 20 7012 8748

About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade. For 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank is setting up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries to effectively participate in the AfCFTA. At the end of September 2023, Afreximbank’s total assets and guarantees stood at over US$33.4 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$5.8 billion. The Bank disbursed more than US$104 billion between 2016 and 2023. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure, (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

About the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum:
The idea for ACTIF resulted from an official Afreximbank visit to Barbados in September 2021, which followed that month’s inaugural Africa/CARICOM Summit. During the visit, the Government of Barbados and Afreximbank identified the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum as a key strategic activity towards institutionalising the engagement between both regions’ private sectors to advance trade and investment relations. 

The inaugural edition of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum was held in Bridgetown, Barbados, from 1 to 3 September 2022, the second edition was held in Georgetown, Guyana, from 30 – 31 October 2023, and the third edition is being held jointly with the 31st Afreximbank Annual Meetings in Nassau, The Bahamas, from 12 – 14 June 2024.

The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has by Proclamation declared Friday, April 12, 2024, as “National Fast and Prayer Day” and is to be observed throughout Liberia as a National Holiday. 

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Day is to be observed as a Day of supplication, prayer, fasting and meditation so that our efforts as people may be crowned with great achievements to the common cause of the Nation, the State, and its humanity.

The Proclamation further calls upon all Prelates, Priests, Elders, Deacons, Evangelists, Imams, and all residents, regardless of religious creed, to gather with one accord in their places of worship, in each city, town, village, hamlet and home within the territorial confines of the Republic of Liberia, in simple and non-costly apparel to fast, pray and meditate from 8 o’clock in the morning.

The release says all public offices and business houses as well as market places are to remain closed during the observance, while all citizens and foreign residents will cease from their usual daily occupations and avocations in recognition of God’s love and guidance. 

“Through the patience and unwavering commitment to democratic principles, Liberians turned up on Election Day in large numbers and exercised their right to vote peacefully that laid the groundwork for the country’s second democratic transfer of power in over 70 years; the resilience of Liberia’s democratic institutions was instrumental to achieving this milestone and serves as an example for the region and the world”, the Proclamation stresses.

The Proclamation further recalls there have been unusual and extraordinary outbreaks of natural phenomenon and man-provoked national crises that have caused much harm, devastation, and destruction in many parts of the world from which our Nation has been spared by the Grace of God. 

The Proclamation recounts that there are large numbers of the nation’s kith and kin living in uncertain conditions in the Diaspora, and the need for remembrance in prayers of those who have made the supreme sacrifice remains unfulfilled.

The Presidential Proclamation stresses that the people of Liberia have always submitted themselves, in humble supplication to the Almighty God for guidance and protection as well as for peace in their national life and affairs.

The Proclamation is in consonance with the Patriotic and Cultural Observances Law of the Republic of Liberia, Chapter one, declaring the second Friday in April of each year as a “National Fast and Prayer Day”, as a day of fasting and prayer for the prosperity of the nation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.