Research consultancy

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY BASED APPROACHES FOR CONSERVING CULTURAL SITES TO PROMOTE TOURISM AROUND SEZIBWA FALLS, CENTRAL UGANDA

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Culture

Over the past decades tourism has experienced continued growth and diversification to become one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in the world. In the developing countries, it is among the important sectors which receives more attention for alleviation of poverty (UNWTO, 2010). Globally, tourism represents 10 % of world GDP (WTTC, 2020), with increasing weight on the total value produced, and employs millions of people worldwide (UNWTO, 2019). In Uganda, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism was the leading foreign exchange earner contributing UGX 8.36 trillion in 2018 that represents 7.7% of the country’s GDP (MTWA, 2019). Tourist arrivals grew steadily from 1.4 million in 2017 to 1.505 million representing 7.4% growth. The growth has been attributed to a number of factors such as the prevailing security in the country, availability of accommodation facilities, the growing transport sector, the country’s hospitality and the rich wildlife and cultural resources among others (MTWA, 2019).

Culture as a segment of tourism is recognized as a vital component of a tourism destination because of the economic and social benefits it brings as well as its endurance to uncertainties such as health related pandemics. xxxThe concept of culture is difficult to convey, as it consists of a broad set of tangible and intangible resources. These resources include historical resources, ethnic tangible and intangible characteristics, physical site characteristics and characteristics of the surrounding environment, visible human activities, natural factors and intangibles assets e.g. (Tamir, 2020). As a form of tourism, cultural tourism began to be discussed from the view point of cultural consumption. According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2011), cultural tourism brings extra income to culture and is thus a very important supporting factor for culture itself. It is a type of tourism that allows the tourists to participate in local cultural activities like festivals and rituals and as a result, tourists can enjoy genuine cultural change with the locals (e Travel Team, 2021).

Cultural tourism is regarded as the oldest form of tourism, starting from the Roman travelers and then with religious pilgrimages established in the middle Ages (Kantzoura 2016). Cultural tourism is linked to cultural heritage sites, attractions and events that provide an important motivation for travel. Thus, as a c Cultural tourism plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable development by creating opportunities for economic growth, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation. By attracting tourists who appreciate cultural diversity, Sezibwa falls has the potential to drive social, economic, and environmental benefits for the local community.

In addition to the linkage, cultural heritage tourism or cultural tourism is often intertwined with other forms of tourism, especially with spa, medical, recreational and congress tourism making it one of the most sought-after tourism segments in attracting tourists or enhancing the value of heritage sites. As an alternative form of tourism, cultural tourism plays a significant role in safeguarding heritage sites as well as creating socio economic benefits to the local communities where the heritage occurs. In this regard many countries have considered the importance of heritage sites as key determinants to the needs and expectations of both domestic and international tourists (Williams, 2014).They have therefore become crucial components in constituting the attractiveness of tourism destinations.

The community-Based Approach to conservation of cultural grounds is an important concept in the tourism industry of Uganda. This approach involves the conservation of cultural grounds into tourist attractions, which can be used to attract more tourists to the country.

Community based conservation is a conservation approach that emerged in the 1980s, in response to escalating protests and subsequent dialogue with local communities affected by international attempts to protect the biodiversity of the earth.

Communities have an important role to play in biodiversity conservation. However, community-based conservation as a panacea, like government-based conservation as a panacea, ignores the necessity of managing commons at multiple levels, with vertical and horizontal interplay among institutions (Barrett et al. 2001).

However, the cultural sites have been conserved by the community in many different ways but still more effort is needed to conserve the cultural grounds in order to prevent cultural erosion that in the long term would affect tourism negatively.

Community based approaches that decision-making process of what affects their lives” also “a right to information and transparency” from those responsible for providing assistance

Community-based approach majorly addresses recurring problems among specific demographic group. As implied by the name, community-based interventions focusing on important portions of the population. It addresses issues among groups categorized into the same demographic and share the same problems. Those groups may be organized by education level, socioeconomic status, age regional trends or other factors.

1.2 Problem statement

The conservation of culture is facing several challenges that threaten its sustainability and tourism potential. Despite the presence of attractions and value attached to the cultural grounds, inadequate management measures and practices by the community have led to the degradation of the cultural and natural environment. Therefore, there is a need to identify the threats to the conservation of culture around nd develop strategies for strengthening management and enhancing tourism potential. The problem requires an examination of the current management practices, assessment of the attractions and values, and designing strategies for sustainable cultural tourism development.

1.3. Aim and objectives of the study

1.3.1. Aim

This study aims to analyze the existing cultural heritage resources around Sezibwa falls and how they can be exploited to attract international tourists and generate revenue for community around. It focuses on the cultural beliefs around this place located in Buganda region in the central Uganda. Culture-based tourism is positively correlated with cultural conservation and community livelihood.

1.3.2. Objectives

The specific objectives are:

1). To assess the attractions and values attached to the Sezibwa falls as a cultural site.

2). To examine the current management measures and practices implemented by communities around the cultural grounds.

3). To identify the threats to the conservation of culture around Sezibwa falls.

4). To design strategies for strengthening the community-based approaches for conserving cultural sites.

1.3.3. Research Questions

The study seeks to specifically answer the following questions:

What are the effects of the community-based approach to conservation of cultural grounds on the tourism of Uganda around Sezibwa falls?
What are the management practices practiced by the communities in conserving the cultural sites around Sezibwa falls?
What are the challenges and opportunities associated with the community-based approach to conservation of cultural grounds in Uganda around Sezibwa falls?
Which strategies can be used to strengthen the Community-based approach around Sezibwa falls?

1.3.4. Justification

The study will generate findings that will be used by the Ministry of Tourism, researchers and students to make tourism planning and policy making easy and provide information about the study area. Specifically, information on conserving the tourism attractions in the area which will be used to attract more tourist arrivals in the region

xxx

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Definitions of terms

Culture.

2.2

Interest in cultural tourism continued to grow throughout the 1980s and 1990s, driven by the ‘heritage boom’, the growth of international and domestic travel and the identification of cultural tourism as a ‘good’ form of tourism that would stimulate the economy and help conserve culture (Richards, 2010). The beginning of the 1990s indicates a period of transformation of cultural tourism which, unlike the original orientation towards elite clientele, found a new opportunity for development in the orientation towards the mass market. Cultural tourism became a well-established phenomenon in many tourism destinations, and was increasingly the target of academic research. The first textbooks on cultural tourism began to emerge and a growing range of research papers appeared, linked to many different theoretical and methodological approaches (Esfehani & Zealand, 2016).

Growth in cultural tourism was also marked by fragmentation into a number of emerging niches, such as heritage tourism, arts tourism, gastronomic tourism. Film tourism and creative tourism. Just as an expanding notion of culture had helped to stimulate the growth of cultural tourism in the 1990s, the problems being encountered with the conservation of tangible heritage and the growing desire of tourists for new experiences also helped to focus attention on the role of intangible heritage in tourism (Zhang, 2011).

In African countries especially in eastern and southern Africa which are considered a ‘success story’, the development of tourism is currently narrowly focused on a limited tourism product based on wildlife safari and beach tourism. Even in those countries, especially Senegal and Cote d’ivoire in West Africa which have developed elements of cultural tourism, the product (usually referred to as ‘roots’ tourism) is targeted to a narrow market segment, mainly the Africa-Americans and other Africans in the Diaspora. Thus, in most African countries, the rich and diverse indigenous cultures (i.e., the living heritage of the African people), with Africa’s multiplicity of ethnic material and non-material culture has not been developed for tourism. Nevertheless, the diverse indigenous African cultures can be perceived as having a latent comparative advantage in the development of cultural tourism because they possess unique cultural and nature-based attractions. These are the very tourist attractions which people from major tourist generating countries are looking for (Churchill et al., 2019).

In Uganda, Cultural/heritage tourism is one of the growing sectors in the tourism industry in Uganda. This is due to the increasing trend for sustainable tourism and increased specialization among tourists. This trend is evident in the rise in the volume of the tourists who seek adventure, novelty; interaction with local people and archeology. Peoples’ interest in travelling to cultural destinations has increased recently and is expected to continue increasing. For example cultural sites are among the most preferred tourism destinations in Uganda by specialized tourists like the Kasubi tombs, Uganda martyrs shrine Namugongo (Graben, 2021).

There are several ways in which cultural tourism can be categorized. These include but may not be restricted to: Heritage, History, Architecture, Natural History, Wildlife, Fine and Performing Arts, Festivals, Archaeology, Anthropology, Indigenous Cultures, Environmental Education, Nature Based. Another way in which cultural tourism products can be categorized is in terms of organizational type which are, Institutional, Museums, galleries, historic sites, theatres, performing arts centers, science canters, Lifestyles, streetscapes, monuments, customs, language, gastronomy, Festivals, special events, exhibitions, competitions among others.

2.3 Community-based Approach

Community-based conservation in Uganda has a literature review by Othieno and Deutch, which discusses the importance of community participation in conservation efforts in Uganda. “Community-based conservation: A review of the literature” by Wells and McShane is another useful resource that provides a comprehensive review of community-based conservation worldwide.

The community-based approach to conservation of culture has been gaining traction recent years, and this has been especially true in Uganda. Evidence of this can be seen in the 2017 journal of Environmental Science and engineering A article by J. Baker, which outlines the potential benefits of community-based conservation initiatives around Sezibwa falls in Uganda. This article discusses how community-based approaches to conservation can be beneficial in a number of ways. For one, they can help to preserve the culture and history of a region, allowing it to be enjoyed and appreciated by future generations. Additionally, these approaches can help to provide economic benefits for the local community, as the preservation of cultural landmarks and sites can lead to an increase in tourism. This can be seen in the case of Sezibwa falls, which has become a popular tourism destination, thanks to the efforts of the local community. This increased tourism has had a positive impact on the local economy and provided employment for many of the local residents. The community-based approach to conservation of culture and history is thus an effective way of promoting tourism and economic growth a region (Baker 2017).

The community-based approach to conservation of culture is gaining traction amongst practitioners of cultural heritage conservation, as evidenced by the study of Gabiri et al. (2019) published in science of the total Environment. This approach involves reaching out to the local community to get their input and support on the conservation of certain cultural sites. In the case of Uganda around Sezibwa falls, this approach has been implemented in various ways, from public awareness campaigns to creating a community-run natural reserve in the area. These efforts have resulted in increased tourism to the area, which has in turn led to economic gains for the local community. This has resulted in improved infrastructure, such as better roads and bridges, as well as increased access to education and health care. Furthermore, the community-based conservation of culture has allowed the local people to keep their traditions alive while also preserving the environment. This has resulted in a more sustainable tourism industry, with visitors having to adhere to the local rules and regulations set in place by the community. Ultimately, the community-based conservation approach to conservation of culture has had a significant impact on the tourism industry in Uganda around Sezibwa falls, resulting in a more sustainable and flourishing environment.

The community-based conservation approach to conservation of culture has been extensively studied in the context of Uganda around Sezibwa falls. In the articles, JP Aporu, S mafabi, and T Esemu from Transnational Corporations Review (2014) explore the potential of the community-based conservation approach for conservation of culture to contribute to the tourism industry in Uganda. They conducted a study of the Sezibwa falls region and found that the presence of culture and historical attractions in the area had a positive effect on the overall tourism. By localizing the tourism industry, the community-based conservation approach can help to increase the number of visitors and also provide better economic opportunities for the community. The study also revealed that there was an increase in the number of visitors to the area after the implementation of the community-based conservation efforts. This highlights the potential of the approach to positively impact the tourism industry in Uganda. Furthermore, the research suggests conservation of culture through community-based conservation approach can led to an increase in the number of visitors, which can in turn provide economic benefits to the local community. Therefore, the community-based conservation approach to conservation of culture can be a powerful tool for developing tourism in Uganda around Sezibwa falls.

Community-based conservation approach to conservation of culture has been gaining traction in recent years, and Uganda is a clear example of the Evidence from J. Baker’s (2017) study demonstrates how effective community-based initiatives can be at preserving while also contributing to its economic development through tourism. Moreover, JP Aporu et al’s (2014) study on Sezibwa falls illustrates how these efforts can lead to increased numbers of visitors and therefore provide economic benefits for the local community. These finding are incredibly significant for developing countries such as Uganda as they suggest that conservation efforts centered on culture can have long lasting impacts on the sustainability of urbanization processes by promoting tourism as an industry with great restorative potential.

These resources, along with other related literature, can provide insights and perspectives on community-based conservation, cultural tourism, and sustainable tourism practices that can be applied to the context of Sezibwa Falls and central Uganda.

2.4 Challenges of cultural tourism in the community

Currently, local tourism is confronted with the consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic. Restrictions on international tourism have caused economic losses for destinations that were mainly dependent on foreign tourists. Most rural regions are targeted by domestic tourism, which has experienced a major boom in 2020. The number of overnight stays by domestic tourists in hotels are shorter than those of foreign tourists hence limited market for cultural tourism (History & Author, 2022).

Cultural tourists are either targeted for a specific cultural aim or they consume cultural attractions during a widely oriented, long-term holiday stay, where cultural tourism could be a primary or secondary activity. For tourists who intend to spend a longer time in a territory, the offer of additional tourist attractions is extremely important. For the summer season, water recreation is important. Cultural tourism destinations without other well-developed tourism activities tend to have limited market for their products and experiences (Goodwin, 2017).

The challenges faced in the development of the heritage site include; poor infrastructure like roads, limited heritage resources to attract enough tourists, limited support from other stakeholders like government, limited materials for thatching heritage houses, little collaboration, limited marketing, Communities are isolated, tourists are unaware of the location of the heritage site, limited documentation of the site, and lack of interest from the management on conservation of the heritage site (Rotich, 2012).

Interpretation and Presentation. If the community is to be in a position to define its culture and tell its story to its own residents as well as visitors there must be a creative use of various interpretive and presentation techniques. These techniques can range from visitor centers, reenactments, first person interpretation, audio visual shows, interactive computer programs, signage and various forms of print media. Most communities lack expertise that is able to interpret for tourists in different languages for effective selling of stories .

Planning and managing cultural heritage tourism requires a number of issues to be dealt with. For those involved in heritage preservation the challenge is to understand and work effectively with the tourism industry. For those in the tourism sector there is a need to understand the needs of host communities as well as the principles and concerns that are part of preserving cultural heritage. Tourism will not go away and poorly managed cultural heritage destinations will not only negatively impact local communities but also the industry when heritage resources and values are degraded. The challenge is not to stop tourism but rather for all stakeholders to work together in achieving sustainable planning and management (Gill, 2010).

xxx

CHAPTER THREE

STUDY AREA AND METHODS

3.1 Study area

3.1.1.??????

The study will be carried out around Sezibwa falls along River Sezibwa which is a 150km river with its source is located in Buikwe district near Ngogwe town. It originates from wetlands between L. Victoria and pours its waters in L. Kyoga. Sezibwa Falls is situated in Central Uganda, a region characterized by its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and historical significance. The falls are specifically located near the town of Mukono, within the proximity of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. Its 32 kilometers from Kampala city along main road between Kampala and Jinja in the district of Mukono. The Sezibwa falls are a result of water squeezing through narrow opening in the rocks and dropping at great speed (17 meters) into a large pool that is about 14 meters deep (Reference?).

The area around the falls is one of the best places to go to for relaxation after a long wildlife safari in Uganda or before visiting the source of the Nile River for activities like whitewater rafting or bungee jumping. The name Sezibwa is a local idiom referring to “something endless”. The Sezibwa falls are also considered an important cultural and spiritual site for the Baganda people.

3.1.2. Write about the population and ethnicity

They also one of the top things to see in Uganda. The site is under the administration of the Buganda culture and tourism department. Sezibwa falls is a treasure trove of cultural heritage, offering visitors an immersive experience into the local traditions, folklore, and rituals. With its picturesque landscapes and historical significance, Sezibwa falls can serve as a magnet for cultural tourist, attracting visitors from around the world and contributing to the prosperity of the region.

3.1.3.

Cultural importance etc

3.2. Methods

3.2.1. Research design

The study will involve both qualitative and quantitative research designs. For qualitative research design, it will involve collecting of non-numerical data to describe the variation and diversity in phenomenon, situations, attitudes and experiences, recording opinions, views and perceptions of respondents and observing the study area. Quantitative design will involve collecting numerical data that will be used to find patterns and averages, percentages, make predictions, test relationships, to establish generalized facts.

3.3 Study population

3.4 Sampling framework

3.5 Data collection

The study will use the following data collection methods as described below;

3.5.1 Survey

The researcher I will conduct a survey to collect data on the attractions and values attached to the conservation of culture around Sezibwa Falls such as the different cultural practices like worshiping the small gods for better life. It will be administered to tourists, community members and stakeholders involved in the conservation and management of the cultural heritage sites.

3.5.2 Focus Group Discussion

3.5.4 Document revsiew

3.6 Data analysis

Data gathered from the field will be checked for completeness, accuracy, consistency and uniformity. The collected data will then code and entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 for analysis from which different analyses were run to attach meanings. Descriptive statistics will be run,

xxx

REFERENCES

Aporu, J. P., Mafabi, S., & Esemu, T. (2014). Community-based conservation approach and its impact on tourism in Uganda: A case study of Sezibwa Falls. Transnational Corporations Review, 6(4), 291-307.

Asiimwe, C., & Nebojsa, N. (Year). Title of the article. Journal Name, Volume (Issue), Page range. DOI or URL if available.

Baker, J. (2017). Community-based conservation: A case study of Sezibwa Falls in Uganda. Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering A, 1(1), 12-28.

etravel team (2021) what is cultural tourism?

Esfehani, M. H., & Zealand, N. (2016). Intangible Cultural Heritage and Tourism in Protected Areas. November.

Gabiri, G., et al. (2019). Community-based approaches to conservation of cultural sites in Uganda: A case study of Sezibwa Falls. Science of the Total Environment, 632, 678-689.

Gill, S. (2010). Tourism Development in Local Communities : As a Community Development Approach. 6(2), 155–161.

Goodwin, H. (2017). The Challenge of Overtourism. October.

History, A., & Author, C. (2022). The Impact of Decrease in Cultural Tourism Visits on Gross Regional Domestic Product of Blitar Regency During the COVID-19 Pandemic. 10(1), 1–7.

Jamieson, W. (n.d.). The Challenges of Sustainable Community Cultural Heritage Tourism.

Qiu, Q., & Zuo, Y. (2022). Intangible Cultural Heritage in Tourism : Research Review and Investigation of Future Agenda.

Richards, G. (2001). Cultural tourism in Europe. CAB International.

Rotich, D. (2012). An Analysis of f the Challenges Facing g Cultural Tourism Development in Kenya. 2(10), 214–221.

Smith, M. K. (2003). Issues and trends in cultural tourism studies. Routledge

Tamir, M. (2020). Challenges and Opportunities of Community based Tourism Development in Awi Zone : A Case Study in Guagusa and Banja. 11(2006).

Odege, D.W (2014). Factors influencing community participation in cultural tourism at kit mikayi in kisumu county, kenya

Wells, M., & McShane, T. (2004). Community-based conservation in Uganda: A review of the literature. Biodiversity Support Program.

Zhang, Y. (2011). Cultural Tourism Products : A Case Study in the Xi ’ an City. 37.

xxx Insert page break

BUDGET

Am going to start collecting my data on 29^th April. I need the following items;

Accommodation which will cost about 100,000shs

Transport costs 50,000

Costs for printing out questionnaires and pens 65,000

Food 80,000

Money for some people who will give responses 55000

Umbrellas 20000

Upkeep 100,000

The total costs are Shs .450, 000 or Four hundred fifty thousand Ugandan shillings

xxx Insert page break

WORKPLAN

PLANNED ACTIVITIES	FINISHED WORK	PENDING	REMARKS
Proposal development			Completed
Data collection			29^th April -15^TH May
Data analysis			20^th May -18^thJune
First draft report			18^th June
Final draft writing			14^th July – 29^th July
Submission			10^th August

xxx Insert page break

APPENDICES

INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR???

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Crispin Kaddu a third-year student at Makerere University pursuing a bachelor’s degree of science in Tourism and Hospitality Management. As part of the requirements for my degree, I am carrying out a study on the topic; “Strengthening community based approaches for conserving cultural sites to promote Tourism around Sezibwa falls, Central Uganda” You have been randomly selected to take part in this study exercise and I assure you that the research is purely academic and your contribution is vital, your response will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality

How would you describe the cultural significance of Sezibwa falls in Uganda, and what role does it play in attracting tourists to the central region?
From your perspective, what are some unique cultural experiences or attractions that Sezibwa falls offers to visitors, and how do these contribute to the overall tourism experience?

Can you share your insights on the significance of cultural tourism in promoting economic growth and community development, around Sezibwa falls in Uganda?
From your perspective, how has cultural tourism evolved over the years, and what impact has it had on the local communities and their cultural heritage?
In your own personal experience, wWhat are some specific cultural attractions and values associated with Sezibwa falls that have attracted tourists to the region?

Describe specific cultural attractions and values associated with Sezibwa falls that have drawn tourists to the region.

What are the current management measures and practices implemented by local communities around Sezibwa falls to conserve cultural sites?

What challenges do you perceive in the conservation efforts of cultural grounds in the Sezibwa falls area, and how do these challenges affect tourism?
From your observations, hHow effective has the community-based approach been in conserving cultural sites and promoting tourism around Sezibwa falls?
Can you elaborate on any Are there specific strategies or initiatives undertaken by the local community to strengthen the conservation of cultural grounds and enhance tourism?
How do you see the relationship between community-based conservation efforts and the overall sustainability of cultural tourism in the Sezibwa falls region?
What role do you think government authorities and other stakeholders play in supporting community-based conservation initiatives and cultural tourism development in the area?

Thank you for your cooperation and patience in completing this Guide.

xxx Insert page break

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR

Dear Sir/Madam,

SECTION 1 A: Background information

Please answer the following questions by ticking (√) in the relevant block or writing down your answer in the space provided.

Name of the respondent………………………………………………

Position ……………………………………………………………….

Years in position………………………………………………………

Section 11: Attractions and values attached to the Sezibwa falls as a cultural site.

What are the attractions found in Sezibwa falls?
……………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………
Are there some cultural values attached? Yes …….No…………
If yes, what are some of the values attached to the attractions?
…………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………
Could you describe some specific cultural attractions and values associated with Sezibwa falls that have enticed tourists to the region?
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………
How has cultural exchange between tourists and the local community contributed to the preservation and appreciation of cultural heritage in the Sezibwa falls area?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Section 111: Current management measures and practices implemented by communities around the cultural grounds.

10. Are there some management measures implemented by communities around Sezibwa falls? Yes……..No……….
If yes what are some of them

What practices do the local communities do in conserving the falls?

Section 1V: Threats to the conservation of culture around Sezibwa falls.

What are some of the threats that affect conservation of culture around Sezibwa falls?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Why do you think the conservation of culture is easily affected?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

How have these threats affected the cultural values of the local communities around Sezibwa falls?

How do you respond to these threats to conservation of culture?

Section V: Strategies for strengthening the community-based approaches for conserving cultural sites.

What opportunities do you see for further enhancing cultural tourism experiences and community-based conservation efforts in the Sezibwa falls region?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What role do government authorities and other stakeholders play in supporting community-based conservation initiatives and fostering sustainable tourism in the area?

What advice could you give to the relevant authorities in trying to strengthen the sustainability of community based approaches?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Thank you for your cooperation and patience in completing this questionnaire

Wilbroad Oketcho

Leave a Reply Cancel reply