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TotalEnergies E&P Uganda, in partnership with the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) officially launched the Explore Uganda mobile application.
The launch event, held at Mestyl Hotel in Kampala, was presided over by the State Minister for Tourism, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka.
The Explore Uganda app offers a "one-stop shop" for both domestic and foreign tourists seeking information about Uganda’s attractions, including national parks, reserves, accommodation, tour operators, restaurants, events, and maps.
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With the growing importance of digital platforms in promoting tourism, this app is designed to help Uganda reach a broader audience, encouraging more people to explore the Pearl of Africa.
TEPU commended
During his remarks, Minister Mugarra commended TotalEnergies for its continued investment in Uganda's tourism industry. He noted that tourism has been identified as a priority sector for national development, and the launch of the Explore Uganda app marks a significant step forward in using technology to boost the sector.
"The launch of this mobile application marks just the beginning of what we can achieve in this sector," Mugarra said.
Pauline MacRonald, the Biodiversity Director at TotalEnergies Uganda, also spoke at the event, emphasising the company’s commitment to supporting Uganda's tourism sector as part of its broader strategy for local economic development.
"As part of our strategic vision for shared prosperity and local economic development, we aim to contribute to developing Uganda’s tourism sector, which will play a pivotal role in diversifying the economy and creating long-lasting socio-economic value," MacRonald stated.
TotalEnergies’ involvement in Uganda’s tourism development is not new. The company has already been supporting Uganda Wildlife Authority’s tourist track upgrade programme in Murchison Falls National Park.
The initiative seeks to enhance tourists' experiences by upgrading existing tracks and opening up new areas of the park for exploration. MacRonald explained that these efforts demonstrate how oil and gas development can coexist harmoniously with nature while benefitting local communities.
In addition to the track upgrade project, TotalEnergies is also working on other tourism-related initiatives at the local level.
These include the development of community-based tourism enterprises and the establishment of a visitor centre under the guidance of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda. These efforts aim to showcase the symbiosis between Uganda's oil and gas industry and its thriving tourism sector.
Through the launch of the Explore Uganda app, TotalEnergies and UTB hope to further boost tourism by providing tourists with a seamless way to access crucial information about Uganda's attractions. This digital platform is expected to increase tourist engagement and drive more visitors to the country’s scenic locations, promoting both local and foreign tourism.