Lilly Ajarova has been appointed CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), replacing Stephen Asiimwe, who served the agency for seven years. Asiimwe recently resigned to pursue further studies. 

Ajarova has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences from Makerere University, with a major in Psychology. She was previously Executive Director of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust and prior to this she held the position of Tourism Product Manager at Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Ajarova is the recipient of the National Golden Jubilee Award 2015, Tourism Excellence Award 2017 and Wildlife Conservation Award 2017.

Ochieng Bradford has been appointed UTB’s Deputy CEO, replacing John Ssempebwa. Bradford previously held the position of Director of Corporate Affairs at the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority.

Tshwane Tourism Association (TTA) has a newly elected Board for the financial year 2018/2019.

TTA’s new Board consist of Craig Allenby, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa; Ronel Bezuidenhout, Capital Hotel School; Anette Burden, Casa Toscana Lodge; Bronwen Cadle de Ponte, CSIR International Convention Centre; Lihle Dlahmini, South African National Biodiversity Institute; Wynand Koekemoer, Expedia Group; Patrick Konzolo, Zilko Tours and Travel; Susan Marais, 3@marion Guest House; Dimakatso Masukume, Eazy Events and Tours; Abia Rakoma, Town Lodge Menlo Park; Linah Risemathi, Mangwanani Africa Day Spa; and Nico Rowan, Manhattan Hotel.

Trans Africa Safaris has appointed Janice Gombert as Operations Manager. She has 30 years of hospitality experience, many of which were in operations. Until recently, Gombert was Director of Sales and Marketing at Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, where she was for the past 17 years.

Infinite Safari Adventures has appointed Bella Kaluwa as its new Vice President of Sales.

Born in Malawi, Kaluwa recently relocated from South Africa to the US. She will be based in Seattle and will handle all southern Africa safaris for Infinite Safari Adventures.

Kaluwa has over 20 years’ experience in the tourism industry, having held a number of sales and management positions in Africa, including FIT tour operators, call centre operations, safari lodges, inbound tour operators and airlines.