The first-ever Rwenzori Theluji Festival has kicked off with excitement in Kasese town. Theluji is a Swahili word meaning snow.
The festival is meant to showcase the opportunities and cultural diversities in the Rwenzori region to attract investors and tourists.
The three-day festival kicked off with the Tourism Expo, re-greening drives, and cleaning exercises in Kasese town.
On Thursday, residents and exhibitors braved the rain to interact, learn and display local talents and opportunities to the rest of the world.
Kenneth Ssekisaka, working with Jena Herbals Limited, the producers of Covidex said that they are taking part in the festival to empower the local community in Kasese to interest itself in the value of local medicine and emphasize the need to preserve nature.
He said the festival is an opportunity where people will access free health advice.
Innocent Byamukama from Kasenyi Craft Shop in Queen Elizabeth says they intend to use the exhibition to change the mentality of people who think that crafts are items designed for tourists only.
Samuel Muhindo from Mt. Rwenzori Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union is optimistic that the exhibition will bring more business opportunities for their coffee and agro-inputs. Muhindo added that during the festival to educate the local people on the value of coffee as a business and a drink.
Peninah Tukwasibwe from Bugoye Sub County in Kasese says that she participated in the festival came with the hope of making better sales out of her crafts.
Douglas Chebii, a marathon runner from Kenya says that he will take part in the marathon on Saturday ahead of his participation in an international competition in Europe slated in November.
The Rwenzori Marathon was mooted with the aim of promoting sports tourism, fostering healthy lifestyles, and highlighting climate change.
Amos Wekesa, the Executive Director of Equator Heights, says that the festival is a good idea and if organized constantly it is expected to raise more than 200 million dollars in earnings for the people in the region. URN