Exploring the potential of Namasole Bagaala Yaze heritage site for cultural tourism

Abstract

This study was carried out at Namasole Bagaala Yaze heritage site located along Mpererwe road with the purpose of exploring the potential of Namasole Bagaala Yaze heritage site for cultural tour ism. The overall objective was to explore the potential of developing Namasole Bagaala Yaze heritage site as a cultural destination. The specific objectives were (i) to profile the infrastructure, tourist attractions and activities at Namasole Bagaala Yaze heritage site. (ii) to assess local community attitudes towards development of cultural tourism at Namasole Bagaala Yaze heritage site. Data were collected from Namasole Bagaala Yaze heritage site and the local community around the site using questionnaires. Questionnaire responses were edited, coded and entered into a computer with SPSS version 17.0 where data files were created and later data was analyzed. This is a computer software helped me in generating statistical summaries of results that have been presented in chapter four. Results show that majority of the respondents were male (58.8%)and the largest percentage was aged between 30 and 45 years. The majority 62.4% were married and 40.0% of the respondents had attended secondary school. The study established that some of the tourist attractions found at the site are cultural site 97.6%ekibira (forest) 66.7% however, the palace compound 53.6% was of the tourist attractions visited at the heritage site. The study as well revealed the highest percentage of the activity of touristic nature which were worshiping of gods 20.9% touring palace 11.2% and the least activity included sacrifice making 1.5% thanks giving 1.5%activities that tourist participated in while at the site include singing 6.0%, dancing 11.9% and the least activity participated in was planting crops 1.5% The conclusions drawn from the study are: the attitudes of local community or local people towards the development of the heritage site are positive and this will encourage the development of cultural tourism because the local people are willing to embrace development. The infrastructure at the heritage site should be improved on by constructing more buildings in the palace to increase on the tourist attractions at the site and also increase on the tourist activities within the site.