Guiding the Future: Tourism mentorship camp set to boost standards and bridge skills gap among Uganda’s tour guides
With Uganda’s tourism industry steadily expanding, industry players say there remains a gap in mentorship and practical exposure for young guides. The NextGen Guides Camp seeks to bridge this divide by offering real-life industry insights, mentorship, and networking opportunities in a relaxed outdoor setting.
Uganda’s tourism sector is taking a bold step toward nurturing its next generation of professionals with the launch of the NextGen Guides Camp, an immersive mentorship and networking experience designed to transform passion into profession.
Organised by UMARSACS Rides Uganda Ltd, the camp will take place on June 12 at the scenic Ssezibwa Falls, bringing together aspiring and practicing tour guides, tourism students, and community tourism actors for a hands-on learning experience.
With Uganda’s tourism industry steadily expanding, industry players say there remains a gap in mentorship and practical exposure for young guides. The NextGen Guides Camp seeks to bridge this divide by offering real-life industry insights, mentorship, and networking opportunities in a relaxed outdoor setting.
“This camp is about building a community of confident, skilled and passionate tourism ambassadors,” said Hassan Muyingo, a wildlife and community tour guide, and founder of UMARSACS Rides Uganda.
“We want young guides to move from just loving tourism to actually building professional careers in it.”
Participants will depart from the Uganda National Theatre at 4:00 PM for the overnight camp experience, which will feature campfire learning sessions, storytelling, music, and peer bonding.
The following day will focus on practical guiding exercises, mentorship circles, and team-building challenges aimed at sharpening participants’ skills.
Key topics to be explored include the journey of becoming a professional tour guide, client handling, cultural intelligence, personal branding, and the art of storytelling, an essential skill in delivering memorable tourism experiences.
Limited to just 50 participants, the camp is structured to encourage meaningful interaction and close mentorship between experienced guides and emerging talent.
Organisers say this intimate setting will allow participants to gain practical knowledge and build lasting industry connections.
The UGX 100,000 participation fee covers transport, camping, dinner, and breakfast, making it an accessible opportunity for young professionals seeking to break into or grow within the tourism sector.
Beyond individual growth, the initiative is also expected to contribute to raising professional standards across Uganda’s tourism industry.
By equipping participants with skills, confidence, and networks, the camp aims to create a ripple effect that enhances service delivery and strengthens Uganda’s position as a leading tourism destination.
Organisers are also calling on partners and sponsors to support the initiative through logistics, media coverage, and mentorship contributions, noting that investing in young guides is critical to the sustainability of the sector.
As Muyingo puts it, “NextGen Guides Camp is not just an event, it’s a movement to shape the future of Uganda’s tourism industry.”
With its blend of mentorship, real-world learning, and community building, the camp signals a growing recognition that the future of tourism lies not only in destinations, but in the people who bring those destinations to life.
