tourism 25 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
e-Business Eco-Tourism Portal Revolutionizes Community Sales Near Uganda's Parks
The e-Business Eco-Tourism Portal (EBEB) is transforming how artisans near Bwindi and Kibale national parks sell crafts to tourists, enabling online listings, advance bookings, and fair pricing. Supported by the Uganda Communications Commission, the platform connects local producers to global markets while boosting conservation efforts and livelihoods. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/life/how-an-online-portal-is-rewriting-community-tourism-in-uganda-5402202
For years, artisans living near Uganda’s national parks like Bwindi have depended on roadside sales to passing tourists, often settling for low prices out of necessity. A new online platform, the e-Business Eco-Tourism Portal (EBEB), is changing this by allowing communities to showcase and sell their products digitally before visitors arrive.
Musa Chemonges, senior warden for Bwindi’s Southern Sector, highlights the collaboration between Uganda Wildlife Authority and locals in forest protection. Yet, economic gains have been limited for many. He stresses that better marketing of crafts can improve incomes and support conservation.
EBEB, managed by David Luganda, is an ICT project funded by the Uganda Communications Commission’s Universal Service and Access Fund. It links underserved communities to international tourists, emphasizing product stories, fair pricing, and sustainability. Launched in Bwindi and Kibale, it targets groups previously outside formal tourism channels.
Bonny Kagaba from Likana Safaris Uganda explains how the portal lets artisans, lodges, and operators list items with details and prices for pre-bookings. Digital hubs assist those without smartphones, and SMS alerts via Africa’s Talking keep everyone updated. Kagaba notes it builds skills and confidence for national development.
UCC’s Susan Nakanwagi says EBEB was selected from competitive bids, receiving up to Shs300m for implementation through September 2026. Projects focus on sustainability, like user fees or subsidies.
Artisan Sarah Kanyihamba near Bwindi shares her routine of displaying carvings and beadwork by misty hills, hoping for tourist stops. Sales fund family needs, and she welcomes the portal’s promise of fixed prices and online reach for more reliable income.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)