Uganda Tourism Board's Lilly Ajarova receives medal for distinguished service

President Museveni has conferred a medal to Uganda Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer, Lilly Ajarova to appreciate her for the outstanding service to Uganda’s tourism.

During the International Labour day celebrations in Fort Portal, Ajarova received the diamond jubilee medal.

This medal is awarded by the President of Uganda in recognition of outstanding service and loyalty to Uganda.

Born in Nebbi District, Ajarova comes from a family of medical background, her father is a medical doctor, while her mother is a nurse, who all worked at Angal Hospital, in Nebbi District.

Ajarova attended Angal Girls Primary School in Nebbi, Warr Girls Secondary School for Ordinary Level and Mvara Secondary School for Advanced Level.

She pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences in 1991 at Makerere University but also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Hotel and Tourism Management from International Institute of Tourism and Management, Austria.

She is also a holder of Masters in Business Administration from Maastricht School of Management and Eastern and Southern African Management Institute.

Ajarova worked at Uganda Wildlife Authority before joining Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary where she served diligently as Executive Director for over 10 years.

She saw transformation of the 100 acre forested island to a safe haven for 49 orphaned chimpanzees.

Described by many as a bubbly woman who loves her work with animals, Ajarova was nicknamed ‘Mama Chimp’ due to her love for conservation especially in regards chimpanzees.

In 2019, Ajarova was appointed as the Uganda Tourism Board CEO where she has sold destination Uganda abroad.

Ajarova has in the past been recognized with the prestigious National Golden Jubilee Award 2015, Tourism Excellence Award 2017 and Wildlife Conservation Award 2017 as well as being named among the top 100 travel women as a leader, pioneer and innovator in Africa.