KAMPALA – Kampala Capital City Authority has formally requested Parliament to allocate Shs600 million for a series of tourism initiatives.
Among these activities is the organization of a COVID-19 remembrance parade, a concept inspired by Canada.
David Luyimbazi, the Deputy Executive Director of KCCA, shared with the Presidential Affairs Committee that the purpose of the parade extends beyond commemorating the lives lost to the pandemic. It also aims to express gratitude to the dedicated medical professionals who worked tirelessly to treat and save lives in Uganda.
Luyimbazi emphasized, “This is more than just a remembrance campaign. Many lives were lost, numerous businesses closed, and we cannot ignore these challenges. Many countries are marking the Covid-19 event as a way of acknowledging the sacrifices made, especially by healthcare workers. So, this initiative is a blend of tourism and remembrance. We drew inspiration from Canada, where they are actively embracing it, and we believe Kampala can similarly distinguish itself among other cities.”
According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, Uganda recorded 170,255 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 3,632 individuals succumbing to the virus.
In addition to the remembrance parade, KCCA intends to utilize the allocated Shs600 million for various tourism development projects. These include organizing a Kampala Tourism Expo, creating a distinctive Kampala tourism brand and identity, digitizing the Kampala tourism information center, and enhancing and maintaining ten tourism sites within the city.
Beyond tourism, Kampala Capital City Authority is also seeking Shs2.24 billion to recruit an additional 150 law enforcement staff to bolster their efforts. Another funding request is for Shs6.32 billion to cover the wages of leaders in the various markets around the city. Additionally, there is a requirement of Shs4.5 billion for the procurement of garbage trucks, although no budgetary allocation has been designated for this specific item.
