The e-Business Eco-Tour Portal (e-BETP) project is a transformative initiative spearheaded by Likana Safaris Uganda in collaboration with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Makerere University Business School (MUBS) under the e-BOOSTER Programme. This project shall be launched to address the digital divide in Uganda’s unserved and underserved communities, seeking to harness innovative ICT solutions to foster socioeconomic development. Despite Uganda’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, many rural areas, particularly around tourism hubs like Bwindi and Kibale National Parks, face significant challenges due to limited access to ICT infrastructure, internet connectivity, and digital literacy. 

This digital exclusion restricts market access for local artisans, tourism stakeholders, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), hindering economic growth and opportunities for inclusive development. The e-BETP project shall be designed to bridge this gap by developing an e-commerce platform tailored for tourism products and services, targeting artisanal communities and tourism stakeholders in Bwindi and Kibale National Parks and further scaled to other National Parks. By leveraging digital tools, the project aims to enhance market access, promote digital inclusion, and empower local entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on women and youth. 

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The initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 9 (building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation) and SDG 16 (promoting inclusive societies and access to information). Locally, it supports Uganda’s Digital Transformation Roadmap, the National Development Plan IV (NDPIV), the National ICT Policy, and the Parish Development Model by fostering sustainable and inclusive growth through ICT integration. Through the e-BETP platform, the project will establish a dedicated online marketplace for local tourism products and services, provide digital literacy training to at least 1,500 entrepreneurs, onboard over 200 local stakeholders, and set up community Digital Literacy Hubs equipped with solar power. By integrating local offerings into broader markets and establishing a sustainable revenue model, the project aims to strengthen the tourism value chain and create lasting economic impact in these underserved regions