Yesterday marked another meaningful step in our journey across Uganda. This trip is all about meeting accommodation providers, craft makers, transport service operators, and tour companies, and bringing them onto Frenzo Africa, our central booking platform created to make Uganda’s tourism experiences easier to access and showcase to the world.
Every place we visit teaches us something new. Every conversation reminds us why this work matters. And every person we meet adds another layer to the story of Uganda’s tourism landscape.
A Day Filled With Discovery and Reflection
One of the highlights of the day was reconnecting with Mungech. We have known him for some time, but only yesterday did we discover how much insight he carries. He has spent years working closely with women craft-making groups in the Benet area of Kween District, near the Kenya border, and in the Kwoti area of Kapchorwa Municipality.
Mr. Mungech and Benjamin Okech of Frenzo Africa discussing.
What began as a simple catch-up quickly grew into a deep discussion about how craft making can play a powerful role in promoting tourism in the Sebei sub-region.
Craft Making as a Pathway to Tourism and Conservation
Speaking with Mungech opened our eyes even further to the connections between crafts, community, and the environment. Many of the local crafts are made from bamboo, a resource that can reshape livelihoods when communities understand its value.
When people begin making crafts, they start planting and caring for bamboo. This creates opportunities for beekeeping, since bamboo plantations provide ideal spaces for beehives. The honey collected becomes an important ingredient for making Lakwek, the traditional honey wine so cherished in the region. The by-products can be turned into candle wax, and sheep can be grazed within bamboo fields. Each activity supports the next, forming a complete cycle of sustainability.
Yet, despite living right next to the rich and beautiful Mt. Elgon ecosystem, community involvement in tourism is still very low. Meanwhile, the demand for honey keeps rising, and some Lakwek producers travel all the way to Amudat and even Kenya to find enough. It is clear there is huge untapped potential here, waiting for the right attention and collaboration.
The Importance of Collective Effort
As we reflected on all this, one thing became obvious. If tourism in the Sebei region is to grow meaningfully, it cannot be done in isolation. It will require the involvement of the district tourism office, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Cross-Cultural Foundation Uganda, community leaders, and even athletes who have proudly lifted both Sebei and Uganda on the international stage. Their voices and influence can help bring attention to the rich culture, natural beauty, and unique experiences found in this region.
We are looking forward to meeting the women craft groups soon and continuing these conversations. There is so much potential, and with deliberate action, it can be unlocked.
What Comes Next?
We will keep sharing updates as we move from place to place, learning from communities, discovering new opportunities, and working together to strengthen tourism in Uganda. There is still so much to see and so many stories to tell.
The journey continues, and we are excited for what lies ahead.
This journey across Uganda is proudly powered by Suzuki and Total Energies,