Assessment of the benefits of religious tourism to the neighboring communities living around Namugongo shrine,Uganda.

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the benefits of religious tourism to the neighboring communities living around Namugongo Shrine and their contributions to the neighboring communities;examine the benefits local communities get;and assess the challenges religious tourism has brought to the communities.A sample size of 70 respondents was obtained and included 60 local community members,comprised of landlords and tenants,and 10 officials from the ministry and Uganda Tourism Board.The ministry officials and Uganda Tourism Boards were selected purposively,while samples from the local communities were selected randomly. The data was collected using questionnaires and key informant interviews. The data was analyzed qualitatively using SPSS and quantitatively using thematic analysis. Data analysis revealed that different tourism facilities around Namugongo Martyrs shrine include the lodges and hotels,the nightclubs,recreational centers and transport facilities through jobs,providing a market for their goods,thus increasing their level of income.Field findings further reveal that tourism-related activities have contributed both socially and economically to the local people through creation of income,providing employment opportunities to local people,stimulation of investment opportunities,increased market for local products,and in the level of income of the local people,all of which have improved people’s livelihoods.The benefits in the form of jobs,especially at the shrine,should be enhanced for the local community. The results revealed that there are challenges that come with matters of day celebration annually,which were identified as increased insecurity,high traffic congestion,increasing prices of commodities,population,limited capital,lack of sensitization,and seasonality of the pilgrims were among the challenges hindering religious tourism around Namugongo Shrine.And thus,the study recommends more need for security during annual martyrs celebrations.There is a need for the government to invest in the hotel industry around Namugongo, which will offer accommodation rates at reasonable price and government.