On the 15 of December 2023, Sites Travel celebrated 15 years in the tour and travel business. It all began when, Jemima Kanyunyuzi Walugembe, the company’s Managing Director dreamed big! She had always wanted to be an air hostess and dive into the world of airplanes. Fate smiled and she landed a job in an airline but life in the sky wasn’t stable in Uganda. Airlines folded after two years and in 2007, her job vanished when the airline closed.
That’s when a new idea sparkled! Jemima thought, “Why not start my own air ticketing company?” Her husband, Mr. Walugembe Enoch, stood by her side, cheering her on. And so, Sites Travel was born, right in a tiny office at the General Post Office.
At first, it was just Jemima and Tumusiime Harriet handling bookings and tickets. Fred- the accountant, did everything from invoices to collecting money. It was tough, but it taught him a lot. Elder Zirimwabagabo Vincent, one of their earliest customers, loved Sites Travel because it felt like talking to a buddy, whether it was morning or night. It was easy breezy!
As time flew by, Sites Travel grew wings and expanded. They added other services to enhance the air ticketing experience. Clients who purchased tickets needed airport drop offs and pick-ups. Thus, car hire services were added. Subsequently tours/safaris were the natural next step. James, a long serving driver, remembered when they only had five cars, including a funny old drone! Later, they got fancy Land Cruisers to take folks to national parks.
Their growth burst at the seams of their little office, so they transferred over to the Serena Conference Centre. New services popped up one after another—from ticketing to dropping clients at the airport, then travel insurance and more.
In 2019, they hit the top 100! Jemima even won the Woman Entrepreneur award. People were starting to notice them, said Nina, the Sales and Marketing Manager.
At the 15-year anniversary celebrations, which took place at Serena Conference Center, the Guest of Honor was Ms. Katusiime Doreen – the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities who was represented by Ms. Lily Ajarova, the Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Tourism Board stated that Sites Travel was one of very few companies that is above board and reproach – meeting all the UTB requirements and an ardent tax payer. She praised Jemima as a positive person, who, even after many trips that they had taken together overseas to lobby for tourists and clients at various expos and exhibitions, did not give up even when certain trips seemed to have proven futile. She stated that her indomitable spirit is what made the company a success.
Sites Travel Ltd is a bespoke travel and tours management agency based in Uganda.
- Email: reservations@sitestravel-ug.com
- Phone: +256 772 417 481
