Akatukunda Elise2024-10-312024-10-312024-09-20https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12311/2119This study explores the opportunities for cultural tourism development in Mbarara District to fill in the gaps in informing ways in which the district could improve its potential as a destination for cultural tourism. Data are collected using a cross-sectional survey design from 62 respondents residing near cultural heritage sites in Mbarara District. The objectives of the study are threefold: to establish the current status of cultural tourism in the world, Uganda, and Mbarara District; secondly, it tries to determine the global and national opportunities available for cultural tourism; and thirdly, it investigates the strategies that can be employed towards the development of cultural tourism in Mbarara District. The results further indicate that, while cultural tourism is an increasing resource worldwide and it illustrates potential in Uganda, its shortcomings are still evident in the case of Mbarara District, which faces constraints in infrastructure, few community participations, and no economic outcomes. Improvement at the base in infrastructural areas of transport links and tourist facilities will go a long way in enhancing the communities' involvement and ensuring that the programs are culturally engaging. In this respect, innovations in technology also make Uganda more attractive and accessible to international tourists, through the use of digital marketing, virtual tours, and interactive applications. The study identifies that strategic partnerships among local stakeholders, government bodies, and private investors are what can allow the development of cultural tourism. By addressing the inadequacies in infrastructure, consideration of available technological developments, and involving the local community, the district of Mbarara is able to make fuller utilization of its resources in culture, thereby making more viable contributions to its economic growth through tourism.enThesis