A Study reviewing the perception held by Western Mass Media about Uganda, after Uganda's(majority) parliarmentarians proposed to adopt the anti homosexuality bill in 2009.

Abstract: This paper examines and discusses the influence of western media or press over Uganda’s position with the anti homosexuality issue. In other words, the rationale of this research was to review how the western media portrays Uganda; as a tourist destination; after Uganda’s parliament majority, voted in favour of the anti-gay 2009. Undoubtedly, the bill has caused Uganda, to be on the defensive, since 2009. Indeed the amount of criticism over Uganda is a cause for fear about how the western world views Uganda as destination.   Surprisingly, UTB; and other tourism stakeholders, in Uganda, have not taken the anti gay’s bill as a threat to the image of Uganda. As such the focus is with the incidents of Kony. Perhaps what experienced readers and folks in the western world know about Uganda is that; Uganda has been through some very dark days, from the 70’s right up to the 90s. Further, that of recent the country has struggled to shake off the infamous LRA’s activities. Commonly remembered in the “2012 invisible Children of Uganda,” a viral YouTube video; that UTB acknowledges, is a great threat to the image of the country, rather than the anti gay bill.   That said; this research, found some very interesting results, that need to be revealed. 1. By introducing the anti gay bill, the country’s poor human rights record is under review by international observers. 2. Uganda seems to be battling it alone; since other tourist competing nations around the world are mum. 3. Uganda is being judged harshly by the media, which has led the country’s intellectuals, to go on the defensive. 4. On the other hand; the study revealed that Uganda or African nations are perceived by western nations to have two images: a) From the media’s point of view; Africa is a troublesome continent b) Then from a tour operator; and by the way who are mostly western companies, to them Africa is unexplored continent, that needs revisiting. 5. Uganda and many other African nations, depend on western media to portray their desired images. However; western media houses own the lenses.   On a much better note; the study revealed some positive results about Uganda. 1. Uganda is still a good destination to visit, and is endowed with some unique attractions that draw international tourists. Even in its dark days in the 80s. For that matter, well established and moreover recognised travel guides have placed Uganda on their top lists as “a must to see destination.” Notably; Lonely Planet, National Geographic and among others: 2. Uganda’s tourist industry has rebounded back greatly; from a mere 15000, tourists in 1983, to now over a million tourists in 2011. Though in conclusion the study; contends that Uganda lacks a proper image to project in the outside world. Secondly; Uganda risks to be labelled as a country with some of the worst human rights abuses. Third, Uganda has greatly neglected the effects of the anti homosexuality bill; perhaps, if not tackled now, the country may lose. At the moment; the study revealed that already the country is spending much to erase the earlier images of Idi Amin, and Kony. Further the study reveals that “Uganda is in this alone.”  As a result the study sought out some recommendations points, to the issue at hand; for instance; it may be possible that leaders need to prioritize, issues of national interest, and not those that will create hate for Uganda, since the study reveals that the country is still in a transition of healing from the bad images. Key words: Destination image; media, perception, and the anti gay’s bill.