Challenges to the development of cultural heritage tourism sites in Wakiso District: a case of Baagalayaze Heritage Site

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges to the development of cultural heritage tourism sites in Wakiso district particularly Baagalayaze heritage site and the specific objectives were; to identify the tourism resources at the heritage site and examine their state, to examine the role of different actors concerned with the development and the planning of the heritage site and to identify the challenges that are limiting the development of the cultural heritage site. The study findings indicate that Traditional dance and drama, Herbal garden, Traditional food preparation, Homestead tourism, Bark cloth making, Handcrafts and paper making are the most valuable tourism resources available at Bagalayaze heritage site. For the key players at the heritage site, the study revealed that; site staff (workers), Kabaka foundation, Local people and Uganda community tourism association (UCOTA) are the key players at the heritage site. The challenges faced in the development of the heritage site included; poor infrastructure like roads, limited heritage resources to attract enough tourists, limited support from other stakeholders like government, limited materials for thatching heritage houses, little collaboration, limited marketing, Communities are isolated, tourists are unware of the location of the heritage site, limited documentation of the site, and lack of interest from the management on conservation of the heritage site. The study concluded that Bagalayaze heritage site is a known site as different actors were found to be actively involved. Different tourist resources have been noted but they are limited in number and they may not bring out substantial development. The state of the heritage site as worrying for such issues of shrinking heritage size due to land selling and giving away by the queen mothers. Finally the study recommends that; Regulations should be enacted by UCOTA to restrain the queen mothers from selling the heritage site land, Serious marketing by responsible actors and local people involvement in decision making.