On January 31, 2025, the 4th Edition of the Travel Writing Competition 2024 reached its highly anticipated climax with a prestigious awards ceremony at the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) offices in Kampala, where talented travel writers were recognized for their exceptional contributions. The event was presided over by Mr. Bradford Ochieng, the Deputy CEO of UTB, who expressed his appreciation for Uganda Uncovered’s role in highlighting the beauty of Uganda through compelling narratives
During the ceremony, Mr. Ochieng acknowledged Uganda Uncovered’s dedication to promoting local travel writing, noting that the competition has ignited a growing interest in Ugandans exploring their own country and sharing their stories with the world. “This initiative has made our job easier in marketing Uganda as a tourism destination. Through captivating stories from our own people, we are able to showcase Uganda in ways that resonate deeply with both locals and international travelers,” said Mr. Ochieng.
The Deputy CEO also emphasized the importance of tourism in Uganda’s economic recovery, particularly under the National Development Plan (NDP IV), which aims to increase foreign exchange earnings from $1 billion to $10 billion by 2040. “The Travel Writing Competition is central to these efforts, as it helps us market our diverse tourist attractions and strengthens Uganda’s position on the global tourism map,” he added.
Simplicious Gessa, UTB’s Head of Public Relations and Communications, also commended the growing number of travel writers in Uganda, emphasizing the vital role they play in shaping how Uganda is perceived by the world. “If we had local voices telling our stories earlier, we would have avoided relying on foreign perspectives. Now, our own people are capturing Uganda’s beauty with authenticity, which is what we need to build a more sustainable tourism sector,” Gessa remarked.
Allen Irene Namisango, Team Leader at Uganda Uncovered, reflected on the competition’s journey since its inception in 2021, a time when the world was recovering from the pandemic’s impact. “Our goal was to encourage Ugandans to explore their own country and tell their stories. The overwhelming participation, with over 317 entries in the 2024 edition alone, shows how much people are embracing travel writing and contributing to the tourism sector,” said Ms. Namisango.
The event was not only a celebration of the writers but also of the partnerships that have supported the competition. The top 20 winners were awarded certificates, gift hampers from Itel Mobile, and branded apparel from the Uganda Tourism Board. The top three winners—Michael Turyakira, Winnie Nakiboneka, and Bushirah Nalutaaya—received cash prizes, mobile phones, and fully-paid trips to explore more of Uganda’s tourism offerings. The overall Best Travel Writer of 2024, Michael Turyakira, was presented with a timeless plaque, recognizing his outstanding contributions to Ugandan travel writing.
The judging panel for the competition included distinguished professionals such as journalists Mr. Edgar Batte and Gerald Tenywa, alongside Rebecca Nyakairu, Public Relations Manager at the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC). Their expertise ensured the integrity and quality of the competition, with a focus on originality, storytelling, and creativity in showcasing Uganda’s landscapes, culture, and heritage.
The event also recognized the top 20 writers, including notable names such as Titus Nsubuga, Collins Mark Katamba, Jacqueline Penina Babirye, and Isaac Namanya, whose narratives have enriched the travel writing landscape in Uganda.
At Uganda Uncovered, we are proud of the impact that this competition has had on Uganda’s tourism narrative, and we are grateful to our partners for their continued support. This year, our sponsors included Uganda Tourism Board, Itel Uganda, Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation, Extreme Adventure Park Busiika, CTC Conservation Centre, and Mango Safaris. Their contributions have been invaluable in making the competition a resounding success.
As we continue to promote Uganda’s tourism sector, we are excited to see how the growing number of local writers will continue to tell the story of Uganda from a fresh and authentic perspective. With each new edition of the Travel Writing Competition, Uganda Uncovered remains committed to empowering Ugandans to explore their own country, celebrate its natural beauty, and share their unique stories with the world.
The future of Ugandan travel writing is bright, and as we look to the years ahead, we are confident that more and more voices will emerge to shape the global narrative about Uganda—one story at a time