The Government has allocated eight hundred million shillings to develop Aruu Falls in Angagura Sub-county, Pader district.

This was announced by Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities during the just-ended Explore North Campaign to promote domestic tourism in Northern Uganda.   

Aruu Falls cascades from the Agago district and pours into the Aswa River. 

The Explore North Campaign which run for five days was aimed at encouraging Ugandans to explore the breathtaking beauty and cultural richness of Northern Uganda.

Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities said that the Government has allocated eight hundred million shillings to develop Aruu Falls in Angagura Sub-county, Pader district.

He explained that the money will be made available by the finance ministry in the 2023/2024 financial year to uplift the face of Aruu Falls to become a significant tourism site in Northern Uganda.

According to the minister, the funds will be used to build walkways, roads, and accommodation facilities among other necessities to boost tourism in and around Aruu Falls.

The minister said that the government is committed to developing domestic tourism by allocating more funds to the tourism ministry in phases until all the priorities are funded.

These commitments came as the tourism ministry, joined by other sector stakeholders and social influencers participated in the weeklong tourism excursion in the northern region dubbed ‘’Explore North’’. 

Some of the prominent tourist sites in northern Uganda, specifically the Acholi sub-region include Fort Patiko in Gulu District, Murchison Falls National Game Park in the Nwoya District, Aruu Falls in Pader District, and Ajulu Hill, among others. 

However, most of these tourist sites are underdeveloped with a poor road network, poor accommodation, and limited services. Such inadequacies limit the experience of tourists and also pose safety and security risks to the visitors. 

In Pader, Nwoya, and Gulu districts, local leaders and service providers asked the government to develop tourism roads, and hotels and waive taxes in a bid to boost tourism in the areas.

During the ‘’Explore North’’ campaign, Minister Mugarra, alongside key social figures including musician Jose Chameleone, kickboxer Moses Golola, comedian teacher Ampiire among hundreds of tourism enthusiasts visited Fort Patiko, Aruu Falls, and Murchison Falls National Game Park. There have been similar tourism promotion campaigns in other regions of Uganda – the West, East, and Central regions.

Okot Ronny