2016 presidential elections and its impact on tourism.
The approaching elections in 201 will probably affect tourism; so, in this post we attempt to consider all possibilities. Uganda is scheduled to enter elections in February of next year. Many presidential hopefuls have chosen nomination forms for this campaign that are anticipated to be fiercely disputed in preparation. Although this is not the proper place, His Excellency the President of Uganda Mr. Yoweri Museveni was recommended by the National Resistance movement caucus as our single candidate for 2016 as we write.
Leaders are intended to be approved first by the National Delegates conference then by the central executive committee. Among those hoping to be president is Mr Amama Mbabazi, former vice president and secretary general of the National Resistance Movement, who revealed his ambition last month. His ambition has produced considerable turbulence, most notably within the National Resistance Movement even before a flag bearer is chosen.
Declaring his objectives outside the guidelines controlling the National Resistance Movement, they accuse him of breaking the norms. This week Dr Kizza Besigye, a three-time loser to the incumbent president Yoweri Museveni, was nominated in the Forum for Democratic Change together with FDC chairman Mugisha Muntu. Many people are watching to see how this might influence the travel business.
Lowering of visitor count
Low tourism flow at the start of 2016 is probably expected as visitors won’t know what could happen before or during these February elections. Not knowing what is likely to happen, tour operators, hoteliers, and all the other interested parties are fervently hoping for peace and stability before, during, and after the elections.
A tourist won’t visit any place where his security is never assured. The present president, His Excellency Yoweli Museveni, underlined that many people depend on him to ensure that the present stability of Uganda is maintained as none anybody can bring about instability in Uganda.
Travel Investments Most likely to Stop
Apart from government-operated infrastructure like highways, we probably will witness a decline in the demand of private sector investment in the tourist sector. No one would want to commit their capital to any nation most likely to see unrest. Therefore, Ugandans hope that the results of the 2016 elections would be embraced by the losers thereby preserving stability.
Shill depreciations
Since more and more shillings are being injected into the economy to enable the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, the dollar has been gaining at the cost of the Uganda shill leaving it weak throughout much of May, June and July.
This would probably influence tourism as Uganda will be seen as a costly travel destination when compared to our African counterparts. Given little money in the economy, lower exports and more importing of products and services are likely to ruin the travel industry overall. Government has set tourism as one of the main industries to help the nation generate more foreign currency; so, circumstances must be favorable for this to happen.
