NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The wife of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye said Wednesday he was kidnapped in neighboring Kenya and is being held in a Ugandan military jail.
Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS, wrote on the social platform X that her husband was last seen Saturday in Kenya, where he was attending a politician’s book launch. She said she was “reliably informed” that he was being held in a military jail.
“We his family and his lawyers demand to see him. He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail?” Byanyima wrote.
Besigye, a fierce critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has on previous occasions been arrested and assaulted.
The Ugandan government has not commented on the latest incident involving Besigye.
Korir Singoei, Kenya's foreign affairs permanent secretary, told local media that Kenya was not involved in the alleged incident.
Besigye, who was once Museveni’s personal doctor, has contested and lost four presidential elections.
Museveni has ruled the east African country since 1986 and human rights groups previously criticized him for rights violations against opposition figures.
FILE - Opposition politician and then presidential candidate Kizza Besigye speaks to the media while under house arrest at his home in Kasangati, outside the capital Kampala, in Uganda on Feb. 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)
MADRID, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 20, 2024--
Greenfield investments into the tourism sector continue to rise, with a growing interest in projects related to sustainability and innovation.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241119556615/en/
The latest FDI Tourism Investment Report 2024 (“Global greenfield investment trends in tourism”), released by the Financial Times in collaboration with UN Tourism and with the support of the Diriyah Gate Company, offers an in-depth look at global greenfield investment trends in tourism, emphasizing recovery from the pandemic and outlining current developments.
According to the report, the tourism sector (international tourist arrivals and receipts) showed strong growth in 2023, with international tourism receipts already +3% up compared with the level of 2019 (a record high for the sector). Foreign investors announced a total of 1,943 FDI projects in the tourism cluster between 2019 and 2023 according to fDi Markets, the greenfield investment monitor of the Financial Times. These projects garnered an estimated $106.7bn in capital investment and created an estimated 259,800 jobs. Even though tourism investments have not fully returned to pre-pandemic levels, the future of the sector looks positive.
Regional Highlights and Trends
Sustainability and Innovation in Focus
The report identifies an increasing focus on sustainable tourism investments, as destinations leverage innovation and technology, including AI and blockchain, to reduce environmental impact while enhancing visitor experiences, and the growing involvement and appetite of sovereign wealth funds, as they believe that the long term future of the tourism sector looks positive and profitable.
A Call for Sustainable Growth
In light of the industry’s complex recovery, the fDi Tourism Investment Report 2024 advocates for quality over quantity in tourism. It suggests that diversification of destinations, implementation of eco-friendly policies, and advancements in sustainable infrastructure are essential for ensuring long-term growth in global tourism.
Jacopo Dettoni, Editor-in-Chief at fDi Intelligence, emphasized the significance of sustainable tourism, noting, “The world we live in has changed, and so must our approach to tourism. Climate change and resource management are reshaping how and where people travel, which calls for a responsible shift toward sustainable investments.”
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The rise of new technologies and the need for greater sustainability are constantly impacting the tourism sector, presenting both opportunities and challenges that call for innovative approaches. More and better-targeted investment will be key to transforming the tourism sector, creating jobs, and driving inclusive and sustainable growth.”
UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona adds: "This report offers a comprehensive, data-backed perspective on the state of play in greenfield tourism investments, enabling policymakers and industry leaders to make sound, future-oriented decisions for sustainable growth. Investing in people, particularly younger generations, is key as the tourism industry employs more than 50% of the global workforce under the age of 25. As we move forward, our focus on innovation and strategic investments will adapt to the evolving needs of travellers, support community wellbeing, and ensure the sustainability of the sector and our planet.”
UN Tourism Executive Director, Natalia Bayona (Photo: Business Wire)
