Stakeholders’ roles in eco-tourism development in Mabamba bay wetland, Wakiso district

Abstract

The overall objective to assess the roles of stakeholders in eco-tourism development in Mabamba bay wetland. The specific objectives were to profile the ecotourism stakeholders around the wetlands, examine the role of stakeholders in the development of ecotourism, and assess the challenges faced by stakeholders in the development of ecotourism. The study was undertaken from March 2020 to February 22. The study employed descriptive research design with a mixed approach of both qualitative and quantitative research method. Simple random techniques were used to select the respondents and a sample of 73 respondents were selected and interviewed using questionnaire. Results reveal that 50.7% of the respondents were females while 49.3% were males. The local community play key role as stakeholders in the promotion and management of the ecotourism at the Mabamba bay wetland in addition to the effort of Non-governmental Organizations and Government Authorities such as NEMA and UWA, Local Government. Community resistance and ignorance of the ecotourism development deter achievement of sustainable ecotourism due to limited involvement of local community and top-bottom approach in management of the wetland. The study identified the stakeholders involved in the development of the Ecotourism site in Mabamba Wetland including local communities, non-governmental organizations and the government authorities such as NEMA, UWA and local government. They play important roles such as sensitization, marketing and advertisement, community education, conflict resolution and tree planting. There is need to address the challenges presented above by conducting further sensitization, improving on advertisement and marketing of the Ecotourism site and conducting community-based environmental education.