Author: Kasirye Arthur

WordCamp Entebbe, a two-day event that took place on the 10th and 11th of March, 2023, was a resounding success and was attended by over 200 people. The event, which was focused on the WordPress content management system, drew attendees from across Uganda and beyond. However, what made this event stand out was its commitment to gender diversity in the tech industry.

The organizers of WordCamp Entebbe made a concerted effort to ensure that women were well-represented at the event. The gender diversity program featured female speakers and student attendees. This program was designed to inspire more women to pursue careers in technology, and it proved to be a huge success.

Over the course of the two-day event, attendees had the opportunity to attend a wide range of sessions, workshops, and presentations. Many of these were led by female speakers who shared their experiences and expertise with the audience. 

The topics covered ranged from beginner-level introductions to WordPress to more advanced topics such as website optimization, content creation, and web security.

One of the most inspiring sessions of the event was a panel discussion on women in tech. This session featured female leaders in the Ugandan tech industry who shared their experiences and insights with the audience. The panelists talked about the challenges they had faced as women in a male-dominated industry and offered advice on how to overcome those challenges.

Another highlight of WordCamp Entebbe was the student program. This program provided an opportunity for students to attend the event and learn more about WordPress and the tech industry in general. The students were able to attend workshops and presentations, network with professionals in the industry, and gain valuable insights into the world of tech as well as introduced to the new study curriculum of the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) a Ugandan quality assurance directorate offering nationally, regionally and internationally recognized quality assurance services for the Business, Technical, Vocational Education and Training (BTVET) were students can use WordPress in their final year projects and graded on a national level.

This year’s WordCamp was led by Kasirye Arthur the leader of the WordPress Community in Entebbe who is also a community lead for Woocommerce and Elementor

Overall, WordCamp Entebbe was a hugely successful event that demonstrated the power of gender diversity in the tech industry. 

By creating a program that was focused on empowering women in Tech, the organizers of this event helped to inspire a new generation of female technologists. It is our hope that more events like WordCamp Entebbe will be organized even in schools so that we can continue to build a more diverse and inclusive tech industry. 

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Ablestate Creatives
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Nyasha Green
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Underrepresented in Tech
Underrepresented in Tech is a databased designed and built with the goal of demystifying diversity. Fear of tokenization and awkwardness blocks many leaders from reaching out to diverse individuals

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A web Digital agency based in Uganda with a team of dedicated and passionate minds that seeks to develop and integrate marketing concepts with other approaches, to influence behaviors that benefit individuals and communities for the greater social good through our online services.

Trillion Looks Store
Trillion Looks Store is an African art and Fashion Social enterprise with a mission to improve lives and communities of marginalized artisans in Uganda through helping them mass produce, market and sell their products to a global market place. We implement Fair principles in our work to ensure sustainability in all our products

WordCamp Entebbe, is a great event for wordpress developers and users. This year it will be taking place at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), which offers a unique experience and beautiful surroundings.

However, we understand that commuting to and from Entebbe can be a challenge for some attendees. So, here’s a guide to the various accommodation options available at UWEC and the nearby towns.

Looking for something affordable?

For those on a tight budget, UWEC offers affordable hostel accommodation and camping with in your price range.

Accommodation Type		Cost	Notes
Hostel	Communal	20,000Ugx	Bunk Beds
	Private	30,000Ugx	Bunk Beds
Camping		10,000Ugx	You have to carry your own tent.

●      Hostel Accommodation

These hostels are basic but comfortable, with shared bathrooms and kitchen facilities. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s advisable to book early.

●      Camping

If you love camping, UWEC has an affordable space for you to pitch your tent. The campsite is an excellent meeting place for travellers, families, and groups from all over the world. Remember to bring your own tent.

Looking For Something Private & Luxurious?

For those who prefer something a bit more private or luxurious, UWEC has African Cottages. These traditional-styled furnished cottages offer a unique experience for both privacy and luxury.

Accommodation Type		Cost	Notes
African Cottages/ Banda’s	Single Occupancy	80,000Ugx	One person per room
	Double Occupancy	100,000Ugx	Two people per room
	Family Banda/ Cottage.	300,000Ugx	Consists of a master bedroom, and a second room with a four occupancy capacity.

The Family banda’s are adjacent to the Kidepo exhibit where you can see a variety of animals, Such as the graceful giraffes.  Just Imagine that as the view in your banda.

You Dont Like The Wildlife Vibe?

If you’re not into the wildlife  environment. There is no worry, you can still get accommodation outside UWEC, there are plenty of guest houses in nearby towns like Katabi, Kitooro, and Abaita Ababiri.

Accommodation in Nearby Towns		Cost	Notes
KatabiKitooro Abaita Ababiri.	Budget Friendly Options.	20,000Ugx	Lowest price.
	Budget-Friendly Options.	(50,000 – 150,000)Ugx	The price ranges from place to place.

Budget Hotels around Entebbe, Kitooro & Katabi
Hotel	Price in UGx	Contact Person
African Village Hotel:	Single Rooms: 50,000 Double Rooms: 80,000	Reagan: +256 779 986430
New Times Guest House Katabi	Single Rooms 50,000ugx	+256 703 830400+256 708 539779
Jasons Guest House Katabi	Single Rooms: 50,00ugxDouble Rooms : 80,000ugx	Ann: +256 709 687758
Murungi Guest House – Katabi	Room ranges 20,000ugx – 50,000ugx
4K Guest House – Katabi	Room ranges 20,000ugx	+256 781 988605
KVC Guest House Katabi	Room ranges 30,00ugx – 50,000ugx	‎+256 742 114147
Psalms MOTEL / Glory Guest Kitooro	Single Rooms 80,000ugxDouble rooms 110,000ugx
Airbnb Stays in Entebbe https://www.airbnb.com/entebbe-uganda/stays
Other Hotels Can be found here https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g298044-Entebbe_Central_Region-Hotels.html
AirBnB Stays in Entebbe https://www.airbnb.com/entebbe-uganda/stays

Now, Lets talk about what you get with your accommodation at no extra cost!

●      The Nature & Wildlife Experience

The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) is situated on the shores of Lake Victoria and is surrounded by lush forests and gardens, making it a nature lover’s paradise. The Centre is also home to over 200 different animal species, including lions, leopards, giraffes, elephants, and so on, you can add on the list.

The beauty of their accommodation is that you get an opportunity to visit the animal and recreation park; listen to the occasional lion’s roar, the owl’s hoot or the gentle whisper of the wind through the trees, at no additional cost!

In conclusion, with the range of accommodation options to suit every budget and preference, with a stunning natural scenery and wildlife that UWEC offers.  Of course not forgetting the star of the show, which is learning about WordPress.

There is now no reason for you to miss WordCamp Entebbe at UWEC. So, start planning your stay now and make the most of your WordCamp!

For Reservations at UWEC, Call +256 414 320 520 or Email: reservation@uwec.ug.

The WordCamp Entebbe 2023 tickets are now open for sale. Tickets cost 40,000ugx however the early bird tickets are sold at a discount of 30,000ugx an offer that runs up to January 31st.

Online Payments will be made through Quicket payment gateway through the link here as well as offline payments made through mobile money MTN 0782 804 171 and Airtel 0757 343 911 both in the names of Kasirye Arthur. Please note that your ticket caters to the two-day tech event, light breakfast, lunch, T-shirt, WordPress swag from our sponsors, and a free tour around the Zoo in partnership with Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.

Planning for WordCamp Entebbe is well underway, and we can’t wait to deliver that unforgettable experience for the first flagship WordCamp in our region!

You can start preparing for your trip by purchasing a ticket – and keep an eye on our blog for travel discounts and accommodation options.

To address the concern around the impact of COVID-19, we will be publishing a dedicated travel guide page, which will answer a range of questions and give you all the latest info on COVID-19 in Uganda. We’ll be updating this page over the coming weeks, so make sure you check this regularly in case any guidance or entry requirements changes.

WordCamp Entebbe is about to bring you its 2nd chapter and we are in search of interested speakers to take the stage and share their outstanding WordPress knowledge & experience.

This year, we aim to host a WordCamp conference in Entebbe that is packed with insightful speaker sessions & workshops for WordPress lovers to take part in & draw inspiration from. So, if you think you’ve got what it takes to present information, stories, and expertise on various topics covering the different stages of the WordPress journey – apply to become a Speaker at WordCamp Entebbe ‘23 today. The Call for speakers is now OPEN!

What topics can you speak about at Wordcamp Entebbe?

Here at WordCamp Entebbe 2023, we welcome ALL topics related to WordPress and beyond. We aim to enlighten our audience on valuable ways they can design and develop WordPress, improve their careers through publishing on the platform, grow their businesses, contribute to the global community, and much more.

Therefore, we are looking for diverse topics and inspirational stories from our speakers.
Submit your preferred topic now and become an inspiring part of #WordCampEbbs.

If you’re unsure what topic to pitch for in your application, please look below at the suggested talking points. However, subjects outside these are also very welcome.

NOTE: Please refrain from submitting more than one (1) topic during your application.

Session Type & Length:

There will be 3 types of Speaker Sessions at WordCamp Entebbe 2023.

There will be one hour total between each slot on the timetable. Each hour, the presentation will last up to 45 minutes, leaving 10 minutes for general discussions, questions & answers.

Language Preference:

As attendees and community members from across the country and around the world will be attending WordCamp Entebbe 2023, we expect the speaker sessions to be conducted in English ONLY, to accommodate everyone from near and far.

Application Deadline & Timetable:

The last date to apply for Speaker Submission is 23rd January 2023.

Then, a dedicated team will review all applications and reach out to the selected speakers. Finally, afterwards, we will announce the Speakers of this year’s WordCamp Entebbe on the website and all our social channels. We hope for your cooperation in the meantime, thank you!

You have all been waiting for this, and so have we: WordCamp Entebbe is back on schedule for 2023!

We’re bringing the WordPress community together in beautiful Entebbe city and here is your chance to become involved far beyond regular attendance: our official sponsorship packages are ready to bring you the best WordCamp experience ever. 

Sponsorships might be sold out quickly with WordCamp organizers going back to in-person events, so please apply as soon as possible.

Did we already convince you to become a sponsor?

Why sponsor
WordCamp Entebbe 2023?

Let’s take a moment to remember WordCamp Entebbe 2019, the last in-person WordPress flagship event to happen in Uganda before the pandemic. It was a blast, right?

Together, we managed to organize one of the biggest WordCamp ever: 250 attendees were present in Entebbe, Uganda at Nkumba University.

Sponsoring WordCamp Entebbe is not only an opportunity for you to give back to the amazing WordPress community but also to finally reconnect with your clients, customers and partners on site and to meet interesting talent from the industry to help grow your business. 

With your support, we aim to host around 200+ attendees at WordCamp Entebbe 2023. We’re excited for you to become a crucial part of our common WordCamp Entebbe 2023 success story.

Join us now and enlarge your network, share your knowledge, increase your brand awareness and last but not least, enjoy the best WordPress event of the year!

Let’s make this the most sustainable WordCamp in Entebbe ever!

We’d love for you to get creative and think about innovative, eco-friendly giveaways that add value for our attendees. Feel free to reach out if you would like us to help you find inspiration.

And sometimes a friendly smile is more than enough these days!

We’re happy to announce that WordCamp Entebbe is officially on the calendar!

WordCamp Entebbe will be 10th – 11th March 2023 at Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC)

Subscribe using the form in the sidebar to stay up to date on the most recent news. We’ll be keeping you posted on all the details over the coming months, including speaker submissions, ticket sales and more!

All WordCamps need volunteers to help run the show alongside event organisers. Everything from manning the swag station to ticket sales enquiries and even ensuring the microphones are set up is managed by our volunteers.

We will follow all COVID rules and recommendations to keep this event safe for everyone.

WordCamp Entebbe 2023 needs you!

With all the work and the good times ahead in mind, we’re delighted to announce that the application for Volunteers for WordCamp Entebbe 2023 is now open!

Why volunteer?

The quality of a WordCamp depends entirely on the people who give their time to make it happen. Being a volunteer is more than lending a hand, it is the secret sauce that makes a WordCamp a WordCamp!

So what’s in it for you?

• It is the perfect opportunity to get involved with WordPress. WordPress exists beyond being the world’s most popular website Content Management System (CMS). WordPress also has a powerful and growing community, who are empowered, connected and inspired by WordCamps. Volunteering makes you an integral part of the WordPress global project.
• You’ll meet folks from across Uganda and the world with a shared passion: fellow volunteers, attendees, speakers and sponsors. Not only is this a great opportunity for starting or strengthening friendships, but also for networking and developing professional relationships.
• You’ll get a look behind the scenes of organising one of the biggest WordCamps.
• We’ll keep you in top condition, with food and refreshments throughout the event, and you can avoid the lines at the main conference food and drink stations.
• You will receive an exclusive volunteer’s t-shirt to wear at the event and show off in the future.
• You will get a FREE ticket to WordCamp Entebbe 2023, which grants you access not only to the entire event, but also the After Party and a special pre-conference Volunteers Social! Plus, you’ll become a member of the WCEU family.

What’s the commitment?

Volunteering is vitally important, so we do have some specific guidelines, but we also want you to have fun! Here’s what to expect.

Time commitment

Don’t worry, you won’t be scheduled to work for the entire event. We ask you to commit to a maximum of two half days or one full day so you have time to enjoy WordCamp Entebbe as an attendee.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities vary by role, examples include Room Management, Swag Station, Registration Desk, Communications, and Speaker Support. We will soon post a page with all the possible Volunteer Roles.

Regardless of your role, you’ll be expected to:

• be the friendly face of Wordcamp Entebbe and the WordPress project, abiding by the Code of Conduct at all times and working to be as helpful as you can throughout the conference
• attend a Volunteer Orientation on the afternoon of Contributor Day, the day before the event begins
• perform volunteer duties as assigned, giving two half days or one full day during the conference.

Entebbe is a peninsula town on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. It is the most charming town, a summer-like lake resort where residents do no more business than is necessary. The town spreads passively, carelessly over the peninsula, in an equally lazy fashion, to the lake. Its houses are more like lost among the trees, for a significant part of Entebbe is heavily wooded.

Entebbe is even more attractive when seen close at hand than when viewed from afar. It is a picnic-suggesting haven amid a well-timbered botanical gardens park, where the grass comes down to the water’s edge.

When you hike up to the high ground, like on Nsamizi Hill, you can see a glimpse of Lake Victoria through a gap in trees or a barrier of palm trunks from every point.

The view from the height upon which the State House stands is unequaled for charm. It shows a broad arm of the sea, alive with islands, stretching inland to recede from view among the tree-covered hills. It is a flood of blue water pouring eagerly into the great green forest.

Sprawling along the Lake Victoria shore, some 35 kilometers south of Kampala, Entebbe exudes a tropical languor atmosphere. And particularly for those with a strong interest in natural history (and who aren’t looking for budget accommodation), it makes for an altogether more appealing introduction to Uganda than the capital, Kampala.

And even if you stay in Kampala, this pretty lakeside town is only worth visiting for its lush green golf course, spectacular scenery, and wonderful botanical garden. The garden, teeming with birds, practically guarantees close-up views of black-and-white colobus monkeys. 

Entebbe’s attractions, like Ngamba Chimpanzee Island, Mabamba Swamps, and Ssese (Kalangala) Islands on Lake Victoria and UWEC Zoo, are a rewarding introduction to Uganda’s incredible gifts.

Entebbe is a popular choice for Ugandans on holiday. Most inbound travelers can’t avoid it because it is the only international airport in Uganda. Many tourists spend a day or two here before or after their countryside journey. 

There’s accommodation to cater to all travel styles. From budget hostels to upmarket luxury hotels, restaurants, and bars, Entebbe cuts off the crowded and noisy Kampala experience.

Getting to Entebbe and around

Entebbe is connected to the mainland with a single road like United Kindom and Bahrain and is the only connection to international air traffic. Also, by water, like the famous colonial explorer John Hanning Speke, you can leisurely float between Entebbe, Tanzania, Kenya, and other Ugandan ports on Lake Victoria.

Entebbe can be one of your most exciting African cities on large water bodies to explore with just a bike. Even traveling between Entebbe and the mainland is exciting because the first city you enter inland is the bustling Ugandan capital, Kampala. Where local and international cultures mix and mingle to create a vibrant environment for evolving modern new cultures.

Minibus taxis from Kampala to Entebbe leave from the old taxi park every ten minutes or so and take up to an hour. Entebbe has a central taxi park in Kitooro town, about 3 km from the International Airport, where you can catch a Kampala-bound public taxi.

You’ll find the other taxi park between the police station and Victoria Mall in the main colonial town. You can catch a direct ride from here to Kampala for about 6,000 UGX.