Sustainable heritage tourism development for the West Nile region [Presentation]

The West Nile region of north-western Uganda possesses a rich yet largely untapped heritage resource base, encompassing the living cultural traditions of the Lugbara, Alur, Madi, Kakwa and Aringa peoples, colonial-era historical sites such as the forts at Dufile and Wadelai, and natural landscapes including Mount Wati, Ajai Wildlife Reserve. Despite this potential, the region remains peripheral within Uganda's tourism economy, constrained by limited infrastructure, weak destination management, minimal community participation and a legacy of conflict and displacement. While focus is placed on how a sustainable heritage tourism approach could contribute to inclusive economic development in West Nile, developing slower, smaller and quality-driven tourism experiences is critical in developing a longer-term vision for tourism development in the region. Through community-based management, integration of refugee-hosting communities, cross-border cooperation with South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the strengthening of local heritage institutions. I argue that tourism development in West Nile must be viewed as a medium for cultural dialogue, trust and resilience, while facilitating a transformation from exploitation to empowerment, from spectacle to substance.