travel 26 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
e-Business Eco-Tourism Portal Transforms Community Sales Near Uganda's Parks
The e-Business Eco-Tourism Portal (EBEB) is revolutionizing how artisans near Bwindi and Kibale national parks sell crafts to tourists through online listings and advance bookings. Backed by the Uganda Communications Commission, the platform ensures fair pricing, digital access, and better livelihoods for local communities. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/travel/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. This informal approach led to inconsistent income and undervalued crafts.
The e-Business Eco-Tourism Portal (EBEB) changes this by enabling communities to showcase products online ahead of tourist arrivals. Launched in Bwindi and Kibale, it targets groups previously sidelined from mainstream tourism benefits.
Musa Chemonges, senior warden at Bwindi’s Southern Sector, highlights how better marketing can boost incomes and support forest conservation efforts through Uganda Wildlife Authority collaborations.
Project manager David Luganda explains that EBEB, funded by the Uganda Communications Commission’s Universal Service and Access Fund, links artisans directly to international buyers. ‘Tourists want the story behind each item,’ he notes, emphasizing sustainability and fair deals.
Bonny Kagaba from Likana Safaris Uganda describes the platform’s features: artisans list items with prices, descriptions, and cultural stories for pre-bookings. Digital hubs and SMS alerts via Africa’s Talking assist those without smartphones, building skills and confidence.
UCC’s Susan Nakanwagi says EBEB was selected from competitive bids, receiving up to Shs300m for 2025-2026 implementation. Sustainability plans include user fees or subsidies to keep it accessible.
Local artisan Sarah Kanyihamba near Bwindi shares her excitement. She crafts beadwork and sells her brother’s wooden gorilla carvings roadside, cherishing tourist chats even without sales. Now, online visibility promises steady income for family needs like food and school fees.