Overview:
The new PAU vice chairman James Mwere’s expertise in tourism spans for over a decade following diligent service as the Tour Guides Forum Uganda (TGF-U) chairperson, director of MJ Safaris Uganda Limited and the senior Tourism officer in the ministry of tourism (Busoga Kingdom).
The sports family is one rich sub-sector of Uganda’s eco-system that favorably cross-cuts the divide.
From the economy, social status, leisure and hospitality (tourism), transport industry to the political cylinder, sports has been easily integrated into the aforementioned spheres.
In particular, sports tourism is one fast developing front that is being preached time over and again.
This docket, if well-handled and approached ought to benefit all the actors in the sports and tourism sectors with equal measure.
Newly elected Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) vice chairman James Mwere is one personality with bold ambitions of fronting sports tourism.
Mwere’s expertise in tourism spans for over a decade following diligent service as the Tour Guides Forum Uganda (TGF-U) chairperson, director of (Misty Jungles of Africa) MJ Safaris Uganda Limited and the senior Tourism officer in the ministry of tourism and heritage (Busoga Kingdom).
With that background, he is aware that sport deserves to be inclined along the tourism docket.
“Sports and Tourism are inter-twinned. We sportsmen and fans travel internally and internationally, there are opportunities to promote cultural, landmark and historical sites before, during and after sports events. At the end of the day, It benefits different stakeholders as guides, hoteliers, transport and others” Mwere, an Engineer by training reasons.
For pool in particular, Mwere strongly believes that Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) can do better.
“The people in pool are doing well, we need to do better.” he advises.
Lobbying:
The Upper Volta pool club member agitates for more lobbying to promote the sport of pool from the Central Government, Corporate world, Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and other relevant stakeholders.
“There is need for the pool family to lobby from the Corporate Organizations, Government, bodies as the Uganda Tourism Board and other stakeholders. Pool will develop and grow through leaps and bounds” Mwere remarks.
He also speaks of more capacity building, mentoring young people into the sport, women development emphasis, good governance (in clubs), better branding for the best visibility of the sport and regionalization (with pool coordinators in all districts of Uganda).
For starters, Mwere is the vice president to Bob Trubish who won another term in office until 2028.
The other executive committee members of PAU include; Paul Wasike (General Secretary), Deborah Ibenu (Women Affairs), Pius Akampa (Schools and Institutions), Peter Male (Treasurer), Donald Ampumuza (Technical) and experienced journalist George Katongole as the public relations officer.
The executive has identified key strategic zones to take the pool sport miles ahead in the next term of office.
These are under building more sponsorships & partnerships, converting the association to a federation, talent management, infrastructure & sustainability, brand building as well as increase on competitions including school championships, among others.
