Community Capacity Building, Local Community Involvement in Tourism Activities and Community Welfare in Uganda

Abstract

This study sought to examine the relationship between capacity building, community involvement in tourism activities and community welfare among the local communities living around protected areas in Uganda.  The design of the study was cross sectional in that both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used in the analysis of the findings. A significant positive relationship existed between capacity building, community involvement and community welfare respectively. A strong positive relationship existed between community involvement and community welfare. Where community involvement existed, community welfare improved and vice versa. Among all the factors, community welfare significantly depended on community involvement in tourism activities. The study recommended tourism stakeholders and policy makers to encourage local communities living around protected areas to engage in tourism activities as a way of improving their welfare.

Keywords: Community capacity building, Community involvement, Tourism, Community welfare, Local communities