Ashaba Jøsephat

family man, Passionate about nature, travel and tourism.

[Amos Wekesa @wekesa_amos]

HOW TOURISM WORKS

In tourism, we have majorly 2 seasons, high season and what’s called shoulder season and both seasons are between 6-7 months.

HIGH SEASON

Starts June every year and ends September though for uganda October has started showing good signs as well.

SHOULDER SEASON

Shoulder season starts around the 15th of December and ends mainly end of February every year.

WHAT INFLUENCES THAT?

The high season is influenced majorly by the western world summer holidays where schools are on a long holiday.

Families and individuals tend to save up for this particular season and depending on the country, the holiday times vary from 14 days to months sometimes.

The low season is pushed my the winter seasons in the western world, the weather can be very tough forcing people to look for the warmer world like Uganda.

The baby boomers are those born soon after the Second World War and are generally retired have more time and money to travel anytime of the year.

Due to inheritances taxes in the western world, many retirees are preferring to spend on multi general family travels.

WHY WE FIGHT?

The lead time for most international tourism is between 9 to 12 months though some people book 2 to 3yrs in advance!

For about 6yrs now, when we are about to cash in, we have had disease outbreaks announcements from ministry of health or rebel stories which has reduced now.

The cashing comes after massive efforts invested in traveling around the world looking and convincing potential spenders about our potential.

When ministry of health announces disease outbreak in May like this year, Ofcourse we refund money paid in advance.

That too kills a year of business and the little that continues comes can’t sustain a business reason companies lay off staff and others close shop.

That too discourages efforts by entrepreneurs who either give up or choose other countries if they have the capacity to do so.

Like I have said before, entrepreneurs grow the economy not the politicians unless a politician is both but they are generally consumers.

And yes, like I have said again and again, there isn’t such a thing as political freedom without economical freedom, you can take that to the bank.

Therefore, the real engine of growth for countries are the entrepreneurial class, who risk everything to improve situations for themselves and for the country.

Poor countries are simply a summation of poor individuals and the rich country is a summation of rich individuals. Rich individuals in big numbers make a rich country.

DOMESTIC TOURISM

I will write about DOMESTIC TOURISM this week and how consumption or purchasing power can be enhanced.

[Amos Wekesa @wekesa_amos]

A must read

MOMBASA HOTELS

Do you guys know that Mombasa has more quality hotel rooms than whole of Uganda hotel rooms combined, yes just Mombasa!

The hotel am staying at has many hotel rooms and apartments and they are turning away visitors and so are other hotels of its level now.

Of course Mombasa has its set of issues like any other place but it’s promoted as MOMBASA RAHA meaning Mombasa has pleasure.

This hotel easily makes between usd 15m to usd 20m dollars a year and that gives the owner a chance to grow, employ more people.

Kampala with fewer hotels has an occupancy level of 25% averagely, Kampala as a city has no single marketing plan by KAMPALA CITY COUNCIL.

Hotels need an occupy of 35% order to be break even just profitability starts at 40% upwards, reason hotels in Kampala and uganda struggle with loans.

Leave a lone Kenya, Mombasa is marketed as Mombasa and it has head of tourism who wants Mombasa to grow and is very hard working.

The biggest challenge in developed countries is actually loneliness and Kampala has the vibe the rich love to enjoy and if we positioned ourselves, Kampala would beat many cities in Africa.

When hotels are full, it means visitors are in town, it means shopping malls will be busy, fuel stations get more business, transporters make money.

It means banks make money, restaurants make money, entertainment makes money, food suppliers make money, crafts sellers make money.

It’s not a problem of Kampala alone, all other cities or towns in Uganda need an awake leadership, create activities that attract spenders.

@BalaamBarugahar first congratulations on becoming a minister of local government and I would be happy to sit with you and we push these ideas.

@BalaamBarugahar come to Rwenzori marathon and see how this idea creates opportunities for the people of kasese and the surrounding towns.

Right now, most of the hotels are fully booked around kasese and the surrounding villages because of Rwenzori marathon and we are talking close to 2500 rooms of all types.

[Dr. Nicholas T. Kamara @nkamara4]

I wish you all the best throughout the season!

[Amos Wekesa @wekesa_amos]

Presidential Debate / My thoughts

Federal governance

Frank Mulira who is a presidential candidate was fairly annoying during the debate on @ntvuganda as a matter of fact until towards the end when he started talking about Tourism, he came alive!

Federal system of governance came up during the debate and in my own opinion, needed a little more fresh during the debate.

A few years ago, I was invited by local government leadership to speak to all local 5 leaders. I first sat in the audience and listened to how they debated.

They kept talking about how districts don’t get this and that from the central government, we don’t have enough cars at the district levels etc.

There wasn’t a single local council 5 who highlighted the fact that they all come from fairly endowed parts of uganda and how they can use that endowment to get their people out of poverty and also help raise money to run their districts.

When my turn came up, I stood up and highlighted the potential within their districts that could be exploited for the growth of their communities hence growth for uganda.

Uganda unlike many countries around the world, there are special features or attractions, that could be exploited for economic benefits in every part of this great nation called uganda.

While they were surprised about my presentation( my dress code was low key and they were very bored when I was called on stage to speak reason for the surprise), I walked away convinced they don’t want to invest their energies in what I was talking about.

They generally were interested in seeing central government and NGOs giving them direct cash to spend. I left thinking, I have wasted my day, I should have done something useful instead.

According to UBOS an organization responsible for statistics in uganda, the last I read, 67% of Ugandas GDP is produced in Kampala and wakiso and 34% of the 67% is produced in central business district( a small part of Kampala).

That means Central business district of Kampala and wakiso contributes more than all the remaining districts combined. Do you guys get what am talking about here in the is piece?

The solution to this madness is actually federal kind of system, it will push all other parts of the country to actually think of ways of being economically relevant. What’s is happening isn’t sustainable at all at all.

Of course I also think that the word federal in many people’s mind is a Luganda word and to them, it shouts buganda and the bigger picture is lost in that mindset which is very sad.

There must be economic competition between Mbarara and Arua, Mbale and Kisoro, Jinja and Moroto, kasese and Soroti, iganga and Hoima etc, its health. We should celebrating good performing distracts economically.

Mbarara city should have a budget to market its self in the US, in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and also in other parts of Europe uganda. Mbarara should convince Mbale people to visit and spend money in Mbarara for example.

That will inspire voters across the country to vote individuals that will bring about economic development in their districts, get rid of none performers, look at their districts as business opportunities. This will decongest Kampala and other places facing rural urban migration.

Anyways, my head is boiling

Share widely so people can read this

[Ashaba Jøsephat @joashaba]

Do you remember when you joined X? I do! #MyXAnniversary

[Charles Watts @charles_watts]

I'll never tire of looking at pictures of William Saliba going crazy celebrating a goal he hasn't scored.

Plenty more years of that to come.

[Ashaba Jøsephat @joashaba]

@femooafc @biel_m04 is a mentality monster 💪

[Ashaba Jøsephat @joashaba]

🤣🤣🤣

[Uncle Bob @uncle_bob256]

We never promised anyone that power will always be on

[Ashaba Jøsephat @joashaba]

Well said

[Amos Wekesa @wekesa_amos]

Uganda’s Tourism / partnerships

What many people may not know is that between 30 and 40% of Tanzania tourism numbers are cooked in Kenya.

Kenya has been in tourism business for many many years and established many networks around the world.

Kenya has many companies that are well established with big offices in places like Dubai, US , Europe generally with big marketing budgets as well.

You find a Kenya company with offices in the United Kingdom or United States with over 100 employees whose work to market but they originated in Kenya.

Recently I said, we hardly get 5% of the business volume Kenya and Tanzania gets and we must work 1000s hard to get close to what these guys are doing.

Like I said recently, the partnership between @UG_Airlines , @TourismBoardUg and our embassies abroad like you can see in the posters can earn us better results.

In the partnership, @UG_Airlines aims at airlifting the numbers and we have focus on its destinations with a strategic marketing skim.

@TourismBoardUg focuses on a unified marketing strategy, creation of partnerships, investing resources and time and embassies help in coordination too.

If we orient Kenyan or Tanzania tour operators about Uganda’s tourism potential , they have the potential to skyrocket our numbers.

Of course I have met @UG_Airlines including the board for example and shared passionately how it work, a few times I have spoken to our ambassadors and some have understood how it can work.

Like I have told you before, there are many Kenyan and Tanzanian tourism businesses who turnover is between usd 30m to over usd 100m annually.

Those companies have ability to invest between usd 1m to 5m in only marketing something none of the Ugandan tour company has the capacity to do because we very small numbers of tourists.

Yes, the day uganda starts doing say 20% of what Kenyan tourism operators do, you will start seeing more private sector players investing big time in marketing too.

It’s a game of numbers. It’s not an emotional thing.

In Kenya and Tanzania, a plane can arrive with 300 tourists at ago for one tour company something we don’t experience in Uganda. We can tap into that.

[Rihanna @rihanna]

20 years ago, i left my country, my culture, my food, and family to embark on a journey that started with the release of my very first body of music! So many of you were a part of my life and career since the very beginning, and some of you have joined the adventure along the way. I’m forever grateful to all of you. Each of you played a very crucial role in where this journey has taken me thus far!
I just wanted to take this moment to say thank you! Thank you for the greatest first 20 years ever! 20 years of the most loyal, die-hard fans that don’t play about me whatsoever, 20 years of hard work and hardworking teams around me, 20 years of lessons, 20 years of unforgettable experiences and accomplishments, 20 years of my family being my number one support system, and to all the people who said yes to me and gave me a chance before it was “cool” to (Execs, DJ’s, writers, producers, dancers, choreographers, directors, fashion designers, photographers, glam, journalists, brands, mentors, etc etc) 20 years worth of thanks to you!! I thank God, He’s been very generous to me and the Glory belongs to Him! #R20 🙏🏿⚓️

[Amos Wekesa @wekesa_amos]

A must read!

Topic; Visas / Travel advisories

Last night I was reflecting and thought about the future of African countries especially Uganda.

For Uganda to succeed, we must do business with the already developed countries.

If we don’t do business with them, we shall continue to either chase for Aid or loans and both simply sink us like it’s happening.

The Developed countries are trading with us but it’s one way if you took time to study the figures.

They already pretty much control our essential sectors and these sectors make money even in our time of trouble.

Those sectors are banking, insurance, telcos etc and some are owned indirectly through shares. Will highlight that in future!

But the developed are controlling us using VISAs and TRAVEL ADVISORIES as trade barriers and we don’t have strong leaders that can stand up and engage.

Our leaders are given softer terms for visas through service passports for the case of Uganda. This actually blinds them from engaging. It doesn’t generally affect them.

The general population on the other hand is discussing how men shouldn’t be locked out when they return late at home.

90% of the people with service passport aren’t going out there to look for business opportunities for uganda, they aren’t business people.

Visa costs will continue to be very expensive( that is earning for the developed countries), already cost of travel from Africa is too high.

Every country needs a healthy economy as top priority and economies are composed of many businesses.

Businesses are created mainly by entrepreneurs and if I want to kill your economy, I make sure your entrepreneurs can’t access free movement to countries with opportunities.

The other massive trade barrier is travel advisories, the developed countries know that when their citizens visit less developed countries, those countries earn money.

The attached below will help you understand how tourism facilitated through free or easy movement is massive opportunity for countries.

The people from the developed countries will continue to control businesses in less developed countries and free movement for their citizens will facilitate that.

They simply post negative travel advisories on their websites and go to sleep and we don’t have the ability to engage or fight back.

Negative travel advisories affect travel insurance and wealthy people won’t travel without travel insurance so we miss chances of earning from their wealthy people.

These are things us voters should engaging those who want to lead us on but they also generally don’t make sense to us the voters. Those who want to lead then simply concentrate on giving us sugar and salt.

Right now a French Citizens or American citizen doing business in uganda has big advantage over me by far even when I think I have a good brain and good work ethics.

They enter Uganda anytime they so wish and can move around the world to look for business anytime they want and if they are disturbed, their embassies here in Uganda will fight for them.

Don’t forget they can access cheap financing from their countries already something that’s so far fetched for me, the serious business decisions for banks here in uganda are made in their countries.

What should Ugandan do?

1- Engage countries that have their citizens operating businesses here in uganda to make sure our entrepreneurs can access easily business opportunities in their countries.

2 - push for Intra Africa business opportunities , African countries trade with each other only 16%

3 - push for business with say Asian countries since they don’t seem to always block us through visas and negative travel advisories

4 - invest in lobbying since some of these visas issues and travel advisories can be sorted outed through lobbying.

5 - since our leaders dine with representatives of these countries, we should encourage them to discuss serious stuff like what am writing about above.

Note: tag leaders

[Gunners @Gunnersc0m]

19 years ago today, the first game at the Emirates took place as we said goodbye to Dennis Bergkamp ❤

[Ashaba Jøsephat @joashaba]

Congratulations Omwoojo upon being chosen by the Rubanda East people!

[Hon Henry Musasizi @henrymusasizi1]

Dear Voters of Rubanda East,

I write to you with a heart full of gratitude and deep appreciation for the trust and confidence you have placed in me during the recent NRM primaries. Your overwhelming support has granted me the honor of becoming the NRM flag bearer for Rubanda East in the upcoming general elections—and for that, I am truly humbled.

This victory is not mine alone. It is a reflection of our shared aspirations, our unity, and our collective commitment to the development and transformation of our constituency. Thank you for standing with me, for believing in my vision, and for participating actively in the democratic process.

As we now shift our focus toward the general elections, I encourage each and every one of you to continue that same spirit of participation and civic responsibility. Voting is not just a right—it is our voice, our power, and our path to shaping the future of Rubanda East. Let us turn out in even greater numbers, encourage our neighbors to do the same, and demonstrate the strength and unity in our community #NRMPrimaries #nrmprimaries2025

[Ashaba Jøsephat @joashaba]

@nkamara4 Thank you very much Hon. Your service to Kabale municipality and beyond is highly appreciated. We are proud of you 💪

[Ashaba Jøsephat @joashaba]

@rukuurasafaris It's also known as the Nubian giraffe

[Rukuura Safaris @rukuurasafaris]

Did You Know?

Did you know Uganda is home to the rare Rothschild giraffe—one of the most endangered giraffe subspecies in the world?

You can spot them with us in Murchison Falls NP!
#WildlifeWednesday #RukuuraFacts #GiraffesOfUganda

[Ashaba Jøsephat @joashaba]

A camouflaged hadada ibis chick appears in this avocado tree. These chicks can be seen being fed regurgitated food by the couple. They look beautiful and in a few weeks, the chicks will be making that loud morning noise😄 #birding #visituganda #birds

[Taichi for Health @StaminaFitnes]

Want to Look Younger and Feel Healthier? Do These Morning Exercises DAILY... 👇👇👇

[Ashaba Jøsephat @joashaba]

@KenyanSays Very strange

[Ashaba Jøsephat @joashaba]

@WildfriendsUG Heart warming ♥️