When Asked to Recommend the Right Organizations in Uganda for partnership in Sustainable Community Based Tourism and to Explain why, AI had the following to say;

AI: This is an excellent question because the “best” partner for a sustainable community-based tourism (CBT) project depends on the specific goals and nature of the partnership.

​Based on the information available and their stated missions, here’s a breakdown and recommendation for partnership in sustainable Community-Based Tourism in Uganda:

​Top Recommendations for Partnership

​Community Based Tourism Initiative (COBATI)

​Why they are a strong partner: COBATI is a pioneering and well-established NGO in the field of CBT in Uganda, with a long history stretching back to 1998. Their focus is specifically on empowering rural communities, particularly women, to develop and manage their own tourism enterprises.

​What makes them a good fit for partnership: They have a proven track record of on-the-ground work, from training communities to developing specific tourism products like homestead stays and handicraft production. Their model directly links tourism to conservation and rural development. They have a history of collaborating with a wide range of partners, from international NGOs to local government bodies, which demonstrates their experience in managing complex partnerships.

​Kitara Foundation for Sustainable Tourism

​Why they are a strong partner: This organization is highly focused on a holistic approach to sustainable tourism, which they refer to as “Development Tourism.” They aim to revolutionize tourism by directly empowering local communities, particularly women and youth, to unlock economic benefits.

​What makes them a good fit for partnership: Their work is about capacity building, providing training in tourism management, product development, and marketing. They also focus on creating a supportive framework for local enterprises and championing a people-centered approach. If your partnership involves providing training, resources, and building a community’s capacity from the ground up, the Kitara Foundation is an ideal collaborator.

​Other Notable Partners Depending on Your Focus

​Uganda Community Tourism Association (UCOTA): UCOTA acts as a trade association and network for community tourism enterprises. They are a good partner if your goal is to work with an established network of existing community tourism groups for product development, marketing, and lobbying. They can help with scaling and connecting with a wider network of communities.

​Tour Operators specializing in CBT (e.g., Wild Frontiers, Tulambule Tours): If your partnership is about creating a market for community-based tourism, collaborating with a responsible tour operator is crucial. They are the link between the community and the tourist. Companies like these often have their own responsible tourism policies and can help with product design, marketing, and bringing in a consistent flow of tourists to the community.

​Uganda Tourism Board (UTB): For a high-level, policy-oriented partnership, the UTB is the key governmental body. If your project involves large-scale initiatives, policy advocacy, or national-level marketing campaigns for sustainable tourism, a partnership with UTB would provide the necessary government support and official endorsement.

​Final Recommendation for Partnership

​For a direct, hands-on partnership to develop or strengthen a community-based tourism initiative, COBATI and the Kitara Foundation for Sustainable Tourism are the most suitable non-governmental organizations.

​Choose COBATI if you are looking for an established, experienced partner with a long history of directly working with rural communities, particularly on homestead and village-level enterprises.

​Choose the Kitara Foundation if your partnership requires a strong focus on capacity building, training, and building the business and management skills of a community from the ground up.

​A truly impactful project would likely involve a multi-faceted partnership, perhaps combining the on-the-ground community expertise of COBATI with the business development focus of the Kitara Foundation, and then collaborating with a responsible tour operator to ensure a market for the products created.

Partner with Kitara Foundation