There is a great sigh of relief for travelers and tourism sector players in Uganda after Government announced a two weeks postponement of the mandatory testing of all incoming travelers into the country.
The postponement followed an Inter-ministerial Committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister RT. Hon. Robinna Nabbanja, on Thursday September 2nd 2021.
Thursday’s meeting came on the heels of Government set rules for travelers coming through Entebbe International Airport and other points of entry.
Those entering the country were subjected to a mandatory PCR COVID test at their own cost regardless of their vaccination status.
The State Minister of Tourism, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, who was in attendance, welcomed the development.
He tweeted, “Today, we held a meeting with the PM and Ministry of Health where we were able to mend the new guideline of mandatory testing for every arrival despite having a negative PCR test within the recommended 72hrs.”
Uganda’s top tourism sector players, including, Amos Wekesa, who attended the meeting, commended Hon. Mugarra for the great effort done in having the new revised rules.
“I want to thank our new state minister of tourism Hon. Martin Mugarra… he is very articulate,” he said in a Facebook post.
The mandate of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage (MTWH) is derived from Article 189 and Sixth Schedule the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (1995), Uganda Wildlife Act Cap 200, Uganda Tourism Act, 2008, Historical Monuments Act 1967, Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2006.
“To formulate and implement policies, strategies, plans and programs that promotes tourism, wildlife and cultural heritage conservation for socioeconomic development and transformation of the country”.