Bwindi Impenetrable National park was early last year voted Africa’s number one birding site ahead of South Africa’s renowned Kruger National park and Cape Town’s ocean shores.

Ranking done by African Bird club put Murchison Falls National Park in ninth place among the top 10 birding sites in Africa.

In October, the Virunga volcanoes, shared with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo were voted number one of the 20 must-see places for 2012 in the National Geographic Traveller magazine. They were described in the magazine as ‘Africa’s Green and Fiery Heart.’

The National Geographic site also voted Ishasha tree-climbing lion the best picture for 2011. There have been other rankings where, for example, Rwenzori Mountain was voted among the top 15 hiking places in Africa.

Lonely Planet also cited Kampala as the safest city in Africa. This is the best place to go during your holiday so book Uganda safaris today.

By Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

The Sub-county Chairman Nelson Natukunda recently said a number of elephant invasions have been witnessed between November and December. “They are destroying food and cash crops mainly maize, cassava, millet, rice and potatoes,” Mr Natukunda said.

The residents said there has been laxity by the wildlife authorities regarding control of the animals. Some people stay out of their houses for fear of being attacked by animals at night.

The Conservation Area Manager said controlling animals from invading farmers is still a challenge, but they are digging trenches along the hot spots and monitoring all crossing points to stop the elephants from crossing.

Elephants can be spotted during game drives in Uganda national parks during Uganda safaris.

By Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

Dr Andrew Seguya, the UWA executive director, said branding is the first step in recognising Uganda’s beauty, adding that in the second phase of the project, the wildlife body will brand the road signs from the airport to Kampala.

CAA offered six pillars and the facia for branding. According to Dr Seguya, UWA is in negotiations with CAA to give them more space at the airport for the same.

The airport branding is among the many initiatives that UWA and other players in the tourism industry are undertaking to fully exploit the visibility created by Lonely Planet, a British tourist guide that ranked Uganda the number one tourism destination to visit in 2012.

By Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

According to UWA, 33 elephants have been killed at Murchison Falls National Park in the last seven years, of which 25 have been killed this year.

Mr Louis Onzima, the acting conservation manager at the park, says poachers always kill elephants, skin them and take their meat and tusks.

Increase of manpower and setting up outposts at different strategic points for UWA rangers has been done as well as other methods like digging ditches to stop elephants from leaving park land.

The police, army and other security agencies in the area are working together to arrest people poaching the elephants. The elephants can be seen during game drives while on Uganda safaris.

A kilogramme of ivory on international market goes for between $1,500 (about Shs3.8 million) $4,000 (about Shs10.2 million) and a pair of tusks from a mature elephant can weigh about 40 kliogrammes.

By Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

Kyle Haywood, the Air Uganda boss said plans were underway to acquire a new fleet of planes to explore the regional and national destinations in the next two years. He also revealed that the airline has recorded a 17% increase in passenger traffic since its inception.

The Airline is largely recognized as the national carrier after the collapse of Uganda Airlines in May 2001. Previous carriers, Alliance Air, Air Memphis, Africa one, and Victoria International Airlines went under due to financial woes.

Haywood explained that the airline is looking to improve its service to fliers along the Entebbe- Nairobi route and increase flight frequencies to Juba in south Sudan to consolidate its presence in the region. The airline also started three weekly flights to Bujumbura, Burundi’s capital this month.

By Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

The residents have stopped collecting water from the dam due to fear of the man-eating reptiles. The crocodiles often found resting on the shores of the dam are suspected to have escaped from the Matheniko Game Reserve which lies nearby.

The senior warden of the Reserve confirmed the presence of crocodiles in the dam and advised the residents to steer clear of the predators.

A team from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) would soon capture the animals and take them back to the game reserve.

Arecek dam was built by the Uganda government to boost agriculture and provide water for domestic use. The UWA last year relocated several crocodiles which had been preying on people in Mayuge District in eastern Uganda.

Crocodiles can be seen on boat ride during national park tours while on Uganda safaris.

By Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

On board the non stop flight from Doha was the company’s Chef Executive Officer Akbar Al baker and foreign journalists.

The Qatar entourage was met by Uganda’s State minister for transport Stephen Chebrot. The minister encouraged Qatar Airways to also venture into cargo flights so that Uganda can be able to export its fresh produce to the Middle East.

Akbar said demand from all over the world prompted their entry into the market. “Passenger demand prompted this new route and I’m excited that we are able to bring our award- winning Five star services to Uganda for the first time.”

By Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

The proposal designed by Amos Wekesa Masaba a tourism investor and President Uganda Tourism Association (UTA) is supported by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU).

The campaign was commissioned last week at the launch of Proudly Ugandan Club at Kampala Serena Hotel. The 7 wonders program will gear the tourism sector in Uganda into great heights. 7 Wonders is a premier promotional campaign geared at advancing tourism inside and outside Uganda through branding.

“The campaign shall involve asking Ugandans within and abroad to choose Uganda’s 7 wonders.” Wekesa said. He added, “Once successful, it will earn Uganda over $2.5b (Shs700 trillion) annually from tourism.”

Uganda is home to ten national parks and twelve wildlife sanctuaries, lakes, rivers, the source of the Nile, beautiful falls, mountains, amazing islands, which are all habitats to a variety of wildlife. Uganda safaris give you a chance to explore all these.

By Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

East Africa community member countries which include Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda have been urged to cooperate in tourism promotion as a catalyst for regional integration.

Speaking in Nairobi at a media briefing, Brand Kenya chairman, Hanningtone Gaya recently called on tourism players to work together with regional governments to rebrand East Africa’s tourism.

“Regional tourism alone will be a major boost to the economies of all the countries involved”, noted Gaya.

Gaya hailed the Mashariki Festival’s plans to combine sports tourism with traditional tourism in its market campaigns.

Former anti-corruption boss PLO Lumumba urged Kenya to increase its target for visitor numbers adding the one million tourists currently recorded by the country are way below the market potential.

By Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

The prince who was waiting for his coronation as the king of Ankole died due to kidney failure in Nairobi, Kenya.

Only a few people including the clergy, royal family members and members of Ankole culture trust were given access to the burial grounds.

In his eulogy, the Ankole kingdom Prime Minister William Katatumba urged the Banyankole as a tribe to put aside their differences and fight for the reinstatement of Ankole kingdom.

The children to the late prince asked government to give back the kingdom regalia being kept at the Uganda museum, to be kept at the kingdom since it belongs there.

The burial grounds and the kingdom can be visited during cultural tours while on Uganda safaris.

By Jean

Uganda Safari & Travel News

Wrestling in old Buganda was a noble sport in which reigning Kabakas (Kings) were known to challenge their chiefs to a fight.

Writing in his book ‘The Baganda’, the Rev John Roscoe says: “Wrestling was the national game; men and boys alike indulged in it; even the king frequently took part in it, although it was forbidden to throw him; anyone who did so was in danger of being put to death.”

However, the annual wrestling tournament has remained dormant, due to political instability in the country. It was last held in Buganda in 1969.

A team of 12 youthful Busuju wrestlers took to the ring – a 20-square-metre grass field – all charged up. At stake was a new bicycle plus Ush30,000 ($11.5) for each wrestler as motivation and participation fee.

During the game, rules must be followed to the letter. It involves wrestlers entering the ring and circling each other. Then suddenly gripping each other’s shoulders with the idea of using arms and legs to subdue the opponent and throw him to the ground on his back.

By Jean

Uganda Safari & Travel News

The $80 million investment, with a capacity of 303 rooms and 34 suites, is currently under construction by Kingdom Kampala, a company owned by Dubai-based Azure Holdings Ltd.

The Intercontinental group in a partnership with Kingdom Kampala is set to run the hotel.

The arrival of Intercontinental in Kampala is expected to bring competition for other international brands such as Sheraton, Serena, Protea and Hilton.

Sawan Ravani, director of Kingdom Kampala, says Intercontinetal plans to build the city’s largest conference centre to compete with the market’s big names.

The combined number of rooms in the big hotels in Uganda has grown to 6,800 from 1,800 in 2007. Most of the hotels are located in Entebbe, Jinja and Kampala.

By Jean

Uganda Safari & Travel News

Kaddu Kiberu, the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) chairman, said preparations for the country’s premier event were complete.

“Unlike the past, this year’s trade fair will have a map at the main entrance to direct show-goers, a VIP gate, guides to take visitors around and first aid facilities. The grounds have also been insured for the visitors, exhibitors and their properties,” Kiberu said.

New exhibitors expected to grace this years’ event include agricultural and food scientists from the public sector, alternative energy solutions and makers of wood substitutes.

Foreign exhibitors from China, Egypt, Pakistan, France, Indonesia, Japan, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe have already registered for the show.

The show focuses on promoting Ugandan made products. If your Uganda safari coincides with the fair, feel free to check it out!

By Jean

Uganda Safari & Travel News

The Mt. Elgon visitor survey figures indicated that although August and September are peak seasons for tourists at the mountain, groups of tourists cancelled their visits to the mountain fearing they could be victims.

According to Mt. Elgon Conservation area manager Mr. Adonia Bintorwa, a total of 10 groups comprising 46 visitors cancelled their bookings.

The report noted that most of the foreign tourists who comprise nearly 90 per cent of the park’s visitors, kept away. Mr. Bintorwa said visitors pay $500 (Shs1.4m) per person and comprise foreign students on holiday, local students, scouts and local residents.

The main tourist attractions for the Mount Elgon hikers on Uganda safaris include the wildlife, hot springs, caves, waterfalls and the Wagagai peak that stands at 4,321 metres above sea level.

The plight of at least 6,000 people living in the mudslide-prone areas remains uncertain as the Uganda government insists they must move into camps as it looks for a lasting solution.

Geographical experts have blamed poor farming methods and over-cultivation of land by residents on the mountain, causing it to weigh down.

By Jean

Uganda Safari & Travel News

The spokesperson of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Edwin Muzahura said, “The potential of tourism in this region is enormous. We are preparing activities expected to rekindle the rich and diverse culture after 20 years of insurgency.”

UTB plans to harness cultural properties and historical sites including internally displaced people’s camps. Other attractions being prepared for tourism operations are cultural and historical sites such as Baker’s Fort Patiko, Wadelai, Aruu Falls in parts of northern Uganda.

Trails taking tourists to explore areas of historical significance such as Sir Samuel Baker, Luo migrations into northern Uganda have been constructed. Another trail will lead tourists to the birth place of 1972 Olympic Gold Medalist the late John Akibua (R.I.P) in Abako village, Lira district.

Muzahura was speaking ahead of the activities organised to commemorate the UN World Tourism Day on September 27. Gulu will host the national celebrations under the theme, “Celebration of Tourism’s role in linking together the cultures of the world through travel”.

“The activities to celebrate World tourism day in Gulu is an opportunity to tell the world that the war is over and showcase what northern Uganda offers and also help to spread the benefits of tourism in the region,” said Muzahura.

By Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

“Mr. President, we have a problem of UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) and Lake Mburo National park. We ask you to help us get the wild animals back in the park. They have been left to go outside and they destroy people’s crops,” an LC5 chairman told the President.

The President said their concerns would be addressed. The Area Conservation Manager Justus Tusubiira said the affected farmers established themselves in areas that were formerly park land. He said the wild animals have not left the land and have multiplied.

The park was established in 1984 but part of it was degazetted and given to people later. Mr. Tusubiira said UWA has started sport hunting where stray animals are killed and the owner of the land from where the animal has been killed earns 50 per cent of the money paid by sport hunter.

The Lake Mburo national park is the only park in Uganda with an entire lake and the only park where you can find the zebra. So visit the park during your Uganda safari.

By Jean

Uganda Safari & Travel News

The latest beneficiary of the growing inter-regional trade is the Uganda based KKT Bus Company that will effective Sept 1 2011, begin operating the Uganda to DR Congo route via Arua.

The General Manager KKT Bus Company Joseph Mobutu last week told journalists in Arua that the Bus Company which marks its second year in the transport industry this month will celebrate its anniversary by opening the DR Congo route.

KKT Bus Company commenced operations on Sept 29 2009 on the Arua Koboko Kampala route. Opening the DR Congo route is aimed at giving an opportunity to the traders in the two countries to effectively move and transact business.

The bus company has its terminal along Bombo Road in Kampala. According to sources, the company has imported four brand new luxury buses worth over Shs 1.2 billion for the DR Congo route.

By Jean

Uganda Safari & Travel News

The service will run from Kampala to Namanve, covering Meat Packers, Makerere University Business School, Interfrieght, Banda, Kireka and Bweyogerere stages according to Peter Owollo, the company operations manager.

“These are going to be daily commuter trains, operating from Monday to Friday. The service will benefit people who stay near the line in Wakiso and Kampala districts,” Owollo said.

He added that they will cover the Jinja route after one month, on weekends. “At the beginning, we will cover a small distance to test our services. We will later, roll out our operations to cover more districts.”

He blamed the delay to resume railway transport in Uganda on the encroachers along the railway line. “There are many people who have settled on the railway reserve land. This has made it impossible for our operations.”

By Jean

Uganda Safari & Travel News

Uganda opposition parties recently announced that they would resume the walk-to-work campaign in protest of the soaring cost commodity prices.

The operators under the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) said the industry and the economy had taken a huge knock from the April–May protests that were characterised by violence.

In the last protests, the tourism industry lost about 30% (about $340,000) of the bookings, while the hotel industry lost 70% of its booking.

Amos Wekesa, the AUTO president, told an annual general meeting recently that the resumption of the protests would turn away tourists and worsen the scarcity of dollars.

Tourism is one of Uganda’s top foreign exchange earners offering various attractions to tourists on Uganda safaris.

Tourism is the second largest foreign exchange earner in Uganda. Any resumption of the protests is likely to hurt the industry and consequently the national economy.

By Jean

Uganda Safari & Travel News

The new 112page magazine features 155 products, including over 80 new items seven of which are available exclusively onboard Qatar Airways.

Shopping Extravaganza is packed with best-selling products that include fragrances for men and women, cosmetics, skin care products, wide range of watches, travel accessories and electronic products.

Commenting on the new magazine, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “Our priority is always our valued passengers and so we are delighted to be able to provide them with this new edition of the Inflight Duty Free Magazine offering such a fantastic range of duty free products onboard all our flights.

“The magazine means that our passengers can browse through an extensive variety of products and make essential and gift purchases from the comfort of their seat.”

Qatar Airways serves destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America. The Airlines Company plans to serve more than 120 destinations worldwide by 2013.

By the end of 2011, Qatar Airways plans to expand further with the introduction of five new routes one of them being Entebbe in Uganda from November 2.

By Jean

Uganda Safari & Travel News

Elias Habyarimana chairperson of the Batwa in Kabale, Kisoro and Kanungu districts said this while speaking at the launch of Bwindi community map recently. The map documents parts of the park, its biodiversity and the Batwa traditional knowledge.

It can also be used to monitor, evaluate and promote protected areas. The map shows caves, gold sites, burial sites, hot springs, grinding stones, medicinal plants and forbidden places in the park.

The Government evicted the Batwa from the Bwindi impenetrable national park as a conservation measure. The game park is home to the mountain gorillas.

The Batwa can be visited during village walks in south western Uganda during Uganda safaris.

By Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

The $2.5m 30-tonne, 150-seater ferry owned by Earth Wise Ferries Uganda, was unveiled to the press recently at Portbell Luzira, a Kampala suburb.

Built in the US and re-assembled at Garuga on the shores of Lake Victoria, the ferry that runs on diesel, was the first of the 10 ferries to be unveiled on the waters over the next five years.

It will operate between Port Bell, Kisumu, Mwanza and Ssese Islands. Lake Victoria was once home to a bustling ferry service that provided economic connectivity between Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

With an estimated 1,600 people moving from Kampala to Kisumu and Mwanza by road daily, it is believed the ferry will provide easier navigation.

By Jean

Uganda Safari & Travel News

It will be under the theme “Eat Cake and Place a Smile on a Child’s Heart,” it has been organised to support the Watoto Children (an orphan organization in Uganda). The one-day family festival will focus on a cake, which will be made by top chefs from the East African region.

Over 30 bakers will be displaying different types of pastries. Cake festival Chief Executive Officer Nora Ekochu says the idea was pre conceived by a team of professional pastry chefs and cake lovers who wanted to share their experience with Uganda.

By Jean

Uganda Safari & Travel News

“We will give out free return air tickets over the next eight weeks to Ugandans, who have never used air transport before, a chance to fly to Nairobi, Dar-es-Salaam, Zanzibar or Kigali,” said Hugh Fraser, the airline boss, at the launch of the “Give wings to your dreams” promotion.

The promotion, which was unveiled on Wednesday, will see 100 WARID customers winning tickets every week to fly to a destination of their choice before December 15.

Shailendra Naidu, the WARID chief commercial officer, said the idea to partner with Air Uganda was borne out of the desire to do something unique.

By Jean

Uganda Safari & Travel News

Speaking at the launch of 2011 Buganda Tourism Expo in Kampala on Monday, Ms Kiwanuka said tourism returns from the sector can highly aid Uganda’s economic development.

“Uganda is a nature and heritage safari destination with several attractions. We only need to do more marketing for our attractions both locally and internationally,” Ms Kiwanuka said.

However, the finance ministry has continuously allocated meager funds for tourism promotional activities. In the 2011/2012 financial budget, the government allocated Shs8.2 billion ($3.45 million) for tourism, a figure that has been maintained for the past three financial years.

In a move to overcome the insufficient funding challenge, Mr. Damian Cook, the executive officer e-Tourism Frontiers urged players to adopt the use of social networking tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Myspace and Youtube, as marketing tools to reach wider markets using fewer resources.

Uganda’ s tourism sector offers activities like gorilla tracking, bird watching, chimpanzee trekking, game viewing, cultural tours, white water rafting, to mention but a few.

By Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

Ms Akiror while officiating at a workshop for archaeology, environment and heritage around Lake Victoria at Brisk Hotel in Jinja recently, said the four IDP camps will be used to promote peace as “we remember our unfortunate past”.

The minister named Barlonyo, Aboke Girls, Lokudi and Pabo, as the four camps. The Lord’s Resistance Army is reported to have killed over 300 people at Barlonyo, another 200 people were killed at Lokudi in Gulu District, while Pabo in Amuru District was the largest IDP camp in northern Uganda at the height of the 20-year-old insurgency.

The ministry will support the sites around IDPs to educate especially youth on the effects of war, while learning how to resolve conflict peacefully. Tourists on Uganda safari can visit the sights which are located in northern Uganda.

By Jeanb Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

The association also wants the ministry to negotiate reduced airport charges, including the possibilities of having airlines doing their own handling, for all the costs incurred in this process are passed to the passengers.

Responding to the airliners, the commissioner for tourism Mr. Justus Tindigarikayo said the government will take up the matter and do what it can to help the 20 airline operators not only to prosper but develop the country’s tourism.

Tourists who come for Uganda safaris are offered the following activities; gorilla tracking, chimp trekking, game drives, spot fishing, boat trips, bird watching, cultural tours, white water rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking, city tours and so many others.

By Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

‘We need to make policies that make Protected Areas more sellable. The current tourism can only be said to benefit the rich class,” said Dr. Arthur Mugisha the Fauna and Flora International Uganda representative. Mugisha a former executive director for Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) said domestic tourism should be graded to accommodate the citizens.

He said Protected Areas should be graded in classes A, B, C and D to accommodate all citizens as a means of enhancing domestic tourism.

The executive director UWA Dr. Andrew Seguya said tourism was one of Uganda’s leading top three foreign exchange earners. He said at least 800,000 tourists visit Uganda annually earning the country over USD$600m. Seguya said the tourism industry in Uganda still needs a lot of investment from government to enable it prosper even further.

Tourism in Uganda offers activities such as gorilla tracking, chimp trekking, bird watching safaris, wildlife safaris, boat rides, mountain hiking, white water rafting, bungee jumping, city tours, cultural tours, and many others.

By Jean

Uganda Safari & Travel News

“The country has an edge over her East African Community tour destination competitors who are offering similar attractions like wildlife, beaches, birds and diverse cultures,” he said.

“We are consulting with the clergy on how to make the day a memorable calendar year where pilgrims retrace the trek they took from various places, to Mukajanga – the hang man’s tree,” says Baguma. “This will need the in-put of various service providers in the lengthy catering chain including the Uganda Hotel Owners Association, The Churches, transporters and artifacts traders.

The pilgrims will tomorrow pray at both the Catholic and Anglican Martyrs’ shrines in Namugongo and Nakiyanja to commemorate the death of 30 Uganda Martyrs, who were killed because of their faith on orders of the then Buganda King, Ssekabaka Mwanga II, in 1886.

The parish priest at the Catholic Shrine Fr. Dr Deo Sonko said over 2,000 pilgrims have already reported from different parts of the world but the majority of non-Ugandans are from: Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and southern Sudan.

Accommodation is one of the selling services around the vicinity of Namugongo. Some schools and individuals have also decided to rent out their houses and rooms to pilgrims.

Uganda safaris comprising of religious places take tourists after saying mass in Namugongo to Kigungu landing site in Entebbe where the first missionaries in Uganda landed, Mackay’s cave in Natete where the Bible was translated into Luganda and printed by missionary Mackay. There are the Rubaga and Namirembe Cathedrals.

Muslims have an opportunity to visit the biggest Mosque on the African continent in Old Kampala. The Bahai boast another landmark worship center on the hill.

By Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

The outgoing trade, tourism and industry minister, Kahinda Otafiire, revealed this at his farewell party held at the ministry headquarters in Kampala recently.

“We have reached the bidding stage. The tower is going to be built,” he said, adding that the current museum was “a museum piece” itself.

The 60-storey centre will house the tourism ministry, the national museum, offices and shopping malls. The Uganda Museum was built in 1953 and has never been expanded.

The Uganda Museum can be visited while on a Kampala city tour during your Uganda safari.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

The site is where people go to view where Africa’s longest river, the Nile, starts its winding course. Nile Breweries Uganda is the company funding the project.

Nile Breweries hopes to develop infrastructure, which will involve construction of a tourist viewing deck, a canopy crossing to the western side of the Nile, coffee shop, an information centre, flush toilets and erection of benches in the gardens.

Modern botanical gardens and erection of directional signage from the bridge to the Source of the Nile will be done in addition to upgrading the ground emerged with Golf Club, Rugby Football Ground and Jinja Agricultural Show Ground.

With these facelifts, the number of tourists visiting the site is likely to double to 10,000 from 5,000 per month. The Jinja municipal council also approved a proposal to set up a zoo at the source of the Nile to boost the number of tourist attractions.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

British Airways recently slashed its return ticket to London from Shs3.5 million ($1500) for customers on the World Traveller Plus class to Shs2.35 million ($999). A return ticket for economy class costs Shs1.17 million ($499), down from Shs1.6 million ($699).

The discounted fares, however, exclude taxes and run up to June 20, for customers on the World Traveller Plus and economy class respectively.

British Airways Uganda Country Manager, Ms Faith Chaivetzi, said the offer re-emphasises the airline’s understanding of the needs of the market.

The offers come at a time when the volumes of travel are low, as it is usually the case for the period after Christmas, which also coincides with winter. This business model of lowering prices seeks to attract more customers to generate more revenue from additional traffic.

Kenya Airways (KQ) also slashed prices on local routes in February to about Shs172,425 (KShs6,200) for a return ticket from Nairobi to Mombasa, from Shs417,158 (KShs15,000).

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

Gulu town, Uganda’s second fast growing after Mbarara boasts of over 12 modern hotels approximately rated one star level and below. About seven around the vicinity are also under construction which shows that development is on its way and the most outstanding is the hotel industry.

The hotels offer services blended with local and international cuisines, wireless internet, comfortable accommodation and food. The hotel industry is supplemented by the multiplicity of lodges scattered in the town centre as well as its outskirts.

Visitors in Gulu can easily access the biggest national park in Uganda; Murchison falls national park which offers a launch cruise to see the impressive Murchison falls, wild game drives and great scenes. Also Kidepo Valley national park in the north east offering wildlife tours, bird watching tours, hiking and scenery views, cultural and nature walks.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

This is a result of the effects of climate change continuing to raise global tension, leading to nature conservationists channeling new measures through which they can mitigate environmental protection.

Through this, the Uganda tourism regulator expects members of the international charity to each contribute a dollar towards its conservation efforts which if successful, will enable UWA bag close to Shs3 trillion.

This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between UWA and Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith last Week in Kampala on the sidelines of the Rotary International 86th Assembly and conference. This year’s annual conference was hosted by District 9002 which covers Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Eritrea.

The partnership between Rotary International and wildlife authority started during the ‘Friend a Gorilla’ campaign in 2009 which is a conservation strategy because the Mountain Gorillas are rare. They cannot be found in any zoo but in Bwindi impenetrable national park where among other things you are able to see Uganda’s beautiful scenery.

Gorilla tracking can also be done in Mgahinga gorilla national park located on the border of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

His Excellency Patrick Edwards the Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner to Uganda during a media launch party last week revealed that the government of Trinidad and Tobago is working hand-in-hand with the Ugandan government and the private sector to ensure the Shs2.5b event is a success.

The minister of state for tourism Mr. Serapio Rukundo attended as the guest of honour and said the annual carnival will propel Uganda into tourism limelight.

Mr. Edwards said that the Kampala Carnival will be the first Trinidad and Tobago-style carnival in East Africa. “Kampala carnival is intended to build stronger relations, through cultural tourism and public diplomacy, between Uganda and Trinidad and Tobago; Uganda and the East African region and eventually Uganda and the rest of the world,” reads a statement from the organisers.

A city tour around Kampala while on Uganda safari will get you acquainted with Uganda’s capital city that offers many attractions that will leave you in admiration.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

“We are digging deeper into our pockets to avail the range of products and services given in our quotations to various agencies all over the world,” said Byamukama. “Rwanda uses the same entry route with Uganda to import fuel. It is a surprise that fuel is much cheaper than what is available here,” he added.

Uganda tour operators take tourists to different safari destinations in the country for game drives, gorilla tracking, chimp trekking, nature/forest walks, river Nile activities, mountaineering trips, cultural tours, birding trips among many others.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

Located at the district headquarters, the facility will comprise a museum, a library and a peace documentation centre. It will collect and preserve artifacts and materials about the war in the north and other conflicts which occurred in other parts of the country since 1962.

It will contain live exhibitions and an information technology centre where visitors will watch digital versions of archived material relating to war. It would act as a reminder to avoid another conflict in the country in future.

The centre, worth over sh500m, is funded by USAID through the Northern Uganda Transition Initiative and is being implemented by Makerere University’s Refugee Law Project.

Northern Uganda safaris offer safari destinations like Murchison falls national park and Kidepo valley national park for wildlife and birds, Gulu attractions like Sir Samuel Baker’s fort in Patiko, and Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests, etc.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

The rangers were attacked by poachers and their hunting dogs at Benet in Kween District. One of the rangers was cut with a panga / machete and injured severely on the hands and limbs before the poachers took off into the bushes.

The poachers after brutally cutting the ranger abandoned him in the bush before a reinforcement of UWA rangers came to his rescue. He is currently hospitalized and undergoing treatment.

The rangers were moving from their station and going about with their business when they were confronted by the poachers who were armed with spears, arrows, machetes and dogs, a source said.

According to Mt. Elgon Conservation Area Manager, Mr. Adonia Bintorwa, the poachers have intensified poaching on the park’s animals for game meat and that it is losing out on the valuable species of animals that are meant to attract tourists.

“They hunt the buffaloes, bush bucks, calabash monkey, dykes and elephants and most of the animals are now running to the friendlier Kenyan side as Uganda loses out on tourism,” Mr. Bintorwa said.

This comes at a time several encroachers have been demanding for re-degazetting of the park to allow them 1,206 hectares for settlement and farming, something government has rejected citing adverse effects such activities can have on the environment.

Mt. Elgon national park is one of Uganda’s interesting national parks offering mountain hiking safaris, birding tours and game drives etc.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

Uganda’s only rhino sanctuary is currently home to 6 adult Southern White Rhinos and 3 adolescents, the only wild rhinos in Uganda.

The sanctuary is conveniently located along the route between Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park.

It is a 70 square kilometer (17,000-acre) sanctuary consisting of dry combretum savannah, laced with swamps and the cactus-like euphorbia candelabrum trees.

In addition to rhinos, vervet monkeys, bush buck, crocodile, hippo, and a huge variety of bird life, among many others, call Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary home.

The sanctuary is a popular destination where visitors travelling to Murchison falls always make a stop. It offers rhino tracking ventures that last 1-2 hours.

Uganda used to be home to thousands of rhinos, but due to extensive poaching during the years of civil unrest, the last rhino was killed in 1982.  Today, with much effort and support, Rhino Fund Uganda is working to reintroduce the rhinoceros to its native lands.

Besides rhino tracking ventures, Uganda safaris offer activities like mountain gorilla tracking, chimpanzee tracking, birding, mountaineering, game drives among many others.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

The event code named ‘Kampala Carnival’ is set to promote trade partnerships between the two countries. The July festival will give local craftsmen an opportunity to trade with their counterparts from different regions in the East African region.

Trinidad’s economy is strongly influenced by the petroleum industry as well as tourism and manufacturing. Uganda could benefit from this initiative as the country prepares for the production of oil, which is expected to boost manufacturing.

Addressing a media briefing in Kampala, the Trinidad and Tobago Ambassador Patrick Edwards, said: “Introducing a carnival into Uganda is an opportunity to develop several trades in different areas between Trinidad and Tobago and Uganda, in the context of tourism and trade development.”

Uganda’s tourism sector has improved over the years as seen from the continued increase in earnings making the industry a robust source of foreign exchange.

Popular Uganda safaris like Mountain gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee tracking, bird watching safaris, wildlife tours, mountain hiking trips etc. account for the growth in Uganda’s tourism sector.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

The Batwa were evicted from their traditional homelands when the Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga forests were declared national parks.

Speaking at the East African regional meeting on ethnic minority community rights, Rukia Nakaddama, the state minister for gender, labour and social development, said the Government is working on a plan to have marginalised ethnic groups, more so the Batwa, resettled in one place.

Nakaddama said the Government has worked on an affirmative action programme under which all marginalised groups can be catered for so that they live good lives like other Ugandans.

Just like the Basongora pastoralists who were evicted from Queen Elizabeth National Park and later resettled on Mubuku and Ibuga Prison farmland in 2008, the Batwa will also be resettled.

The Mgahinga national park and Bwindi impenetrable forest that were homes to the Batwa are now homes to the endangered mountain gorillas. Visitors from all over the world come on Uganda safaris to track the endangered species.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

While, after years of underfunding (sh500m), the government in 2009/ 10 FY upped tourism budget to sh2b, this UTB says is too small, with sh22b needed to rival Kenya, one of Africa’s tourism hub.

Due to low funding, four cultural and historical sites in West Nile and many others in the country which would attract more tourists aren’t developed.

Areas like Fort Dufile of Emin Pasha in Moyo which is strategically located on River Nile and Gordon Hill in South Sudan, when developed, tourists will visit and people will benefit.

Also most Ugandans don’t visit the many tourism sites although there are incentives like low costs. UTB executive director Cuthbert Baguma makes an appeal to Ugandans to embrace their country by visiting the many tourism sites in their midst.

“If foreigners can come all the way from Europe and Asia to appreciate our country, why not us?” says Baguma.

Poaching is another setback to the industry. At least three elephants are killed in Uganda annually, says John Makombo, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) deputy director in charge of field operations.

Tourists at the moment come on Uganda safaris to experience mountain gorilla tracking, game viewing, birding safaris, chimpanzee trekking tours, cultural tours etc.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

There were 842, 000 arrivals in 2009, rising to over 900, 000 in 2010 which increased foreign earnings from $165.3m in 2001 to over $600m and at least $700m by the close of 2011, according to the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).

The UK was the top western country sending tourists to Uganda by 2008, followed by USA. In Africa, Kenya’s was the continent’s biggest number, followed by Rwanda.

UTB marketing manager Edwin Muzahura says “We want to develop our local domestic tourism so we are not affected by world economic trends like the market meltdown of the previous two years.”

Tourists come to experience Uganda’s culture, national parks and other unique activities offered, says Cuthbert Baguma, the UTB executive director.

“However, the mountain gorillas are a unique attraction, which at the moment can only be found in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo,” he says. “So we get a lot of tourists for this.”

The mountain gorillas account for about $320m annually and UTB has adopted them as a national identity.

Uganda has a unique biodiversity (flora and fauna), a beautiful weather and is home to 10% of the world’s bird species and the caldera mountains: Mt. Elgon.

Uganda also has 6.8% of the world butterfly species, 7.8% of the world mammals, 53.9% of the mountain gorilla population, the source of the largest river in Africa; River Nile, with the most thrilling rafting opportunities.

UTB’s aggressive marketing through trade fairs like the UK bird-watching fair where 1, 200 birds were showcased, the World travel market in UK, the International Tourism Exhibition in Berlin and relative peace in Uganda, explain the industry’s growth.

To attract local tourists in 2010, UTB promoted Martyr’s, Independence and World Tourism Day celebrations, respectively.

UTB also appointed Moses Kipsiro, a gold medallist at the 2010 Olympics in India and Susan Kerunen, the best African Kora award artist in 2008 and 2009, as goodwill ambassadors.

“We believe they will be a key marketing tool for our country,” Baguma says, predicting arrivals would rise from between 1.5 million to 2 million in five years.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News

The 120-tonne vessel, which can accommodate 70 passengers and 12 cars, was supplied by Danish firm Johs Gram Hassen, the roads agency spokesperson, Dan Alinange said.

Alinange revealed that the Government was buying more ferries as one of the interventions aimed at easing water transport.

The vessel will be stationed at Zengebe Landing Site in Nakasongola and will ply the Nakasongola-Namasale route.  It will serve Dokolo, Amolatar, Nakasongola, Lira and Soroti districts.

Alinange said the agency would buy more to promote water transport and development by improving accessibility of the islands in the country’s lakes.

Lake Kyoga is a large shallow lake that lies in north western Uganda. Occupying an area of about 1,720 km2 and at an elevation of 914 m, Lake Kyoga is one of Uganda’s major attractions. The Victoria Nile flows through the lake on its way from Lake Victoria to Lake Albert. It offers a potential for fishing tours having about 46 species of fish that have been recorded in Lake Kyoga, and several crocodiles etc.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

The good news was announced by Rwanda Development Board gorilla trackers of the Hirwa group on Thursday after observing the twins, who were born to the mother called Kabatwa. The twins are both males and looked very healthy at birth.

The birth of twins is a rare event for any population of gorillas, and very few cases of twins have been documented in the wild or captivity.

Mountain gorillas usually give a singleton birth and during more than 40 years of gorilla monitoring in Rwanda, only five cases of twins have been recorded.

In 2004, twins were born in Susa group to the mother Nyabitondore. In addition to being the first twins to have survived and reached the adult age (now aged 6.5 years), the Susa twins called Byishimo and Impano are famously known for having been named by the President of the Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame and First lady Jeannette Kagame during the first public and national launching of the gorilla naming ceremony in 2005.

Just one day before twins’ birth in Hirwa, there was another birth in Amahoro group from the mother called Kubaha. The three baby gorillas bring the number of newly born and unnamed gorillas to 13 gorillas that will be named in the next gorilla naming ceremony “Kwita Izina” scheduled for June 2011.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

Conservationists are pinning a major part of this growth on tourism on responsible tour operators who have successfully conducted gorilla trekking tours in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.

Through tourism, a sustainable growth of gorilla tourism has been attained given that past threats to the gorillas have been reduced.

Notably, tourism earnings from gorilla tourism have been registered and the local communities that live near the gorilla parks in Uganda and Rwanda have embraced the development of tourism.

The experience of visiting the gorillas is very overwhelming. Watching the silverback and his band in their natural environment from only a few metres is a once in a lifetime experience.

While gorilla trekking is often seen as a high cost activity, the figures show that the fees paid by travelers are making a positive impact.

From the removal of poachers’ snares to the all important research and tracking of these magnificent creatures, the cost of gorilla permits also contributes to their continuing survival.

Abacus African Vacations, Adventure Trails are few of the responsible tour operators organising African safaris that feature a broad selection of expeditions incorporating gorilla tours in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, with tour itineraries ranging from three to 30 days.

These tours run on both scheduled and private basis and are available all year round.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

The parrots were rescued from a wildlife export firm’s warehouse near Entebbe, the East African nation’s main airport.

Johnson Masereka, one of the UWA officials, said the firm did not have documents to legally export the birds.

A joint team of police, UWA and Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) personnel mounted an operation on Saturday, following a tip off that one of the wildlife traders licensed to deal in the export of live species of wildlife was holding parrots with the intention of exporting them to a neighbouring country.

This comes hot on the heels of another case in which over 100 parrots were recovered from suspected traffickers at the Uganda- Congo border two weeks ago, which suggests there is a syndicate illegally exporting Ugandan wildlife.

Unlike those recovered from suspected traffickers in western Uganda early last week, those in wakiso were healthy.

Authorities took them to UWEC as investigations into how they got there started. Their place of origin has not been established.

It is suspected the parrots were destined for a foreign country. Each is sold at over 1,500$ on the international market.

“We are going to work closely with them to get to the bottom of this matter,” said Ms Lillian Nsubuga, UWA spokesperson, adding that no one had been arrested. Masereka said the main suspect was on the run.

Parrots are listed under Appendix 2 of the convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna.

This, according to Achilles Byaruhanga, the director of Nature Uganda, means the birds were threatened and would become endangered if trade and destruction of the tropical high forests was not curtailed.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

Although he lived in the jungles of the Rwenzori during the Rwenzururu guerilla war, which he led in the 1960s, the Omusinga told the mountain trekkers who accompanied him that he had not trekked the Rwenzori through the central circuit. This is the main gate way to Margherita Peak (Rwenzori’s highest peak).

Ahead of the king was a team of mountain climbers comprising officials from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), USAID-STAR and New Vision on a trip named ‘The Rwenzori Challenge’.

The team was flagged off in Kampala earlier this week by tourism state minister Serapio Rukundo.

Addressing his subjects and fellow trekkers at Mahoma rest place in the jungles of the Rwenzori, Mumbere said he was the first Ugandan royal leader to trek the second highest mountain in Africa.

He said he climbed the mountain to stimulate the number of tourists visiting the Rwenzori.

‘I lived in America through out my youth and I have moved in some other parts of the world, I have not seen such a beautiful mountain elsewhere. You need to protect and be proud of it,” Mumbere remarked.

Stanley Baluku, the chairman Rwenzori Mountaineering services (RMS), which guides visitors to the Rwenzori, said communities in the area earn about sh400m annually in terms of wages as guides to tourists.

John Makombo, the director Conservation Uganda Wildlife Authority, said the Rwenzori was declared a world heritage site due to its importance to Ugandans and the world.

As a commemoration of his historical visit, Mumbere identified a special place at Upper Mahoma River in the national park, where he planted a tree.

He said a memorandum of understanding would be signed to construct a recreation centre at the site to act as a tourist attraction.

Rwenzori mountain national park attracts visitors from all over the world interested in mountain hiking, wildlife & its flora & fauna.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

Florence Ndagire climbed more than two thirds of Africa’s tallest mountain but did not see any of it. All she has are imagined impressions, created by her arduous experience up the climb and stories that she hears people weave.

Florence Ndagire is blind but beat all the odds to climb up to an unprecedented 3,950m of Mountain Kilimanjaro, which rises to 5,895m above sea level.

And to her story add that of Robert Nkwangu, a deaf man, and Patrick Kasirye, a lame man, who managed to reach the summit. The three were a team of Ugandans living with disabilities that set out to climb the mountain last month.

The three work at the Uganda Society for Disabled Children (USDC) in Kitante, Kampala.

Ndagire’s journey lasted only two days, coming to an end when she reached Shirra plateau, where, in fear of further steep climbs at Barancco wall, she was advised to stop because her health was at stake.

Florence was very disappointed at not being able to reach the top. But however she said, I made a point that people with disabilities have abilities and potential”.

Born 27 years ago, Ms Ndagire’s parents found out that she was blind, 10 days after she was born. Her cornea had not fully developed, the doctor told her parents then.

She advises other disabled people, “Not to sympathise with themselves because sympathy does not work,” adding, “Disabled people are just like other people with a simple impairment but the rest of the body is functional.”

Robert Nkwangu unlike Florence, made it to Uhuru peak, the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. He says the reason for his ascent up the mountain was to create awareness that disabled people, once included, can be a change to society.

Through an interpreter, he said. It was very challenging. I felt very happy although I was very weak. But when you are happy, you can achieve strength.

I felt like I was on top of the world. Reaching the roof of Africa; that’s the achievement I got,” he says. “At the top, I saw Moshi town, Tanzania and Mount Meru but we were advised to come down quickly,” he adds.

Nkwangu was not born deaf. “I became deaf when I was in P.3,” he says. His parents were however very supportive and they encouraged him to continue with his studies like nothing had happened.

According to Ndagire and Nkwangu, their Kilimanjaro trek is symbolic of an even bigger struggle that disabled people go through daily.

For every hardship faced up the trek, Robert says, be it peeling and swollen lips, altitude sickness, nausea or the steep climb, it symbolised the challenges of stigma, denial and abuse that people living with disabilities endure, just to achieve their dreams.

They equated a climber failing to reach the summit, thanks to a hardship or two, to society’s barring disabled people to archive their full potential.

Many able bodied and financially able people have never climbed a mountain. But Ndagire and Nkwangu, who are blind and deaf respectively, have shown that you don’t need to be the most likely contender to create a path where there is none.

Kilimanjaro trekking is one of the activities one can partake during a Tanzania safari. Mt. Kilimanjaro national park boasts of its incredible wildlife including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, serval cat, eland, bushbuck, duiker, hyrax, bush pig, collobus and blue monkeys.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

“I want the Government to recognise me and my subjects and facilitate me like it has done to other Kings in the country,” Nzito said.

“Bassua also known as Batwa should not be marginalised. We are also Ugandans,” he said in a mixture of Luwitsi, Rutoro (Ugandan local languages) and English.

Speaking to New Vision, one of Uganda’s leading daily newspapers at the pygmy camp in Ntandi in Bundibugyo district, Nzito called on the government to give special consideration for his subjects to access education and benefit from income generating projects.

“The government should gather all school-going age Bassua children and take them to boarding schools far from their camp to avoid escaping from school,” Nzito said.

His proposal on education among the Bassua (Batwa), who reportedly do not exceed 60 in number, was in response to reports that the children escape from class to go hunting in the forests.

A pygmy youth, Julius Balyebulya, asked the government to build tertiary institutions in the area to enable them acquire technical skills like motor vehicle mechanics, carpertry and tailoring.

The Bundibugyo Seventh Day Adventist Church Education project manager, Enock Isebojo, attributed the increasing rates of school drop- out rates among Batwa children to early marriages.

The Batwa (so-called Pygmies) are the Indigenous peoples of south-west Uganda and are among the different cultures in Uganda that are looked for by many tourists taking safaris in Uganda, Africa.

They lived in Mgahinga national park and Bwindi impenetrable forest that are homes to the endangered mountain gorillas, popular for gorilla tracking, an activity that attracts many visitors to undertake Uganda safaris.

In 1991, the Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks were established which caused great suffering to Batwa and other neighbouring local communities because they were expelled from the land they called their own.

In recognition of the devastating impact on the Batwa of the creation of the National Parks – a proportion of the conservation Trust’s community development budget was allocated to a Batwa component, the most important element being a process of buying small fields for individual Batwa families.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

The history and the memories that constitute Uganda’s personalities – both individually and as a nation will be maintained seeing that they give reasons for pride and patriotism. The country has a lot to be proud about including the many histories that pertain to the various peoples that together make the nation of Uganda.

The Museum is a source of information, knowledge about the life, culture and heritage of the Ugandan people. It stores and preserves all movable artifact for the benefit of future generations. One can obtain information about well over 650 cultural heritage sites dotted across the country.

The Uganda Museum was established in 1902 and it was initially located in Entebbe, and then moved to Old Kampala, Makerere University until it got a permanent structure along Kiira Road in 1954.

In 1977, the museum was put under the government by amalgamating its services with the department of antiquities and it thus became the department of antiquities and museums. The running of the museum is the responsibility of the Uganda government.

Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa with fantastic natural scenery and some of the friendliest people in Africa. It is also a unique and captivating tourist destination in terms of culture. Uganda’s Kingdoms present a rich cultural heritage that Uganda proudly boosts over other African safari destinations.

While on a Uganda cultural safari, you can take tours to the King’s Palaces, royal tombs, royal senates as well as other historical sites revered by the local people. Some natural landforms and rivers also have great cultural attributes with some being believed to be born by humans. Ugandans are very polite, enthusiastic, friendly and welcoming people who will often greet strangers on public transport or in rural areas.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

Passengers who were due to travel from Entebbe to London from Saturday were stranded after air traffic at Heathrow Airport came to a standstill prompting British Airways to cancel two of its flights. However, management was able to secure accommodation for their passengers at the airport hotels, Ms Faith Chaitezvi, the British Airways Country Commercial Manager Uganda, said.

She said they re-booked available flights for passengers as others wait for British Airways to resume its flights on Tuesday. “We had informed all our passengers via emails and mobile phones over the flight cancellation. It’s mainly the passengers who booked from abroad and had no Ugandan lines who missed the communication and got stranded at the airport,” she added.

Ms Chaitezvi said that some travelers cancelled their trip and returned the air tickets, while others re-booked for other flights. Heavy snow and freezing temperatures has caused travel chaos across northern Europe since Friday. News agencies reported that 400 of 1,400 scheduled flights had been cancelled at one of Europe’s busiest airport.

Another 100 flights were cancelled in Berlin, which was blanketed in heavy snow throughout the day, leaving city workers scrambling to clear roads and slowing traffic in some parts.

Meanwhile, Uganda Tourism Board spokesperson Oscar Muzahura said they have not got any complaint from tours and travel operators over a decline in tourists visiting the country this festive season. He said the snow has not affected Uganda tours.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

They have since handed over their weapons to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). UWA officials said plans were underway to buy goats for those who quit poaching in Jonam county, Nebbi district.

“I have received calls from poachers who are willing to denounce poaching but they would like to know what they will be given as an alternative source of livelihood,” he said.

According to the assistant warden in charge of Karuma Wildlife Reserve, Genesis Okello, one of the poachers, Yokes Odongo, 33, was arrested with a gun at Ajimi, Oyam district.

He said Odongo did not have bullets because they had arrested the supplier, Lawrence Ogwang, with 120 bullets.

Okello added that UWA rangers got another gun with 29 bullets belonging to Denis Ongom, who is on the run.

“Every year in December, we experience an increase in the rate of poaching by people who want game meat.”

Okello said as game rangers, they are committed to dealing with poachers who use illegal means to kill Uganda’s wildlife. Uganda has a diversity of wildlife in its national parks. These include lions, zebras, buffaloes, elephants, leopards, baboons, giraffes, cheetahs, Uganda kobs, the rare situtungas, water bucks, bush bucks, bush pigs, chimpanzees and many more.

Uganda offers several wildlife safaris, that  enable visitors to catch great glimpses of the indigenous wildlife in Uganda’s parks.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

According to the Bishop, a consultancy firm has already been hired to assess the amount of renovation needed for the 95-year-old church building.

The current building, which is the 4th church and the 3rd cathedral on Namirembe hill, was built by earliest missionaries who came to Uganda in the late 1880s. The first church building was constructed in 1890. The second one was built in 1894 but it was destroyed by a storm one year later. The third building was built in 1904, but six years later it was struck by lightning, and replaced by the current structure in 1915. The existing church seats 5,000 people and its design is expected to remain the same after the repairs.

Addressing a press conference at the cathedral on Tuesday, Kityo appealed to Christians to contribute towards the cause.

Producing an inception report about the project, Phyllis Kwesiga, an architect with KK Consulting, said the technical inspection was complete.

The cathedral is one of the many Kampala Uganda tourist attractions for the many tourists that visit Uganda. Apart from the Namirembe cathedral other notable nearby tourist attractions include Kasubi Tombs, The Bahai Temple, the Rubaga cathedral etc.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

Among the roads to be upgraded are Bukoto-Kisasi, Kalerwe, Kawempe-Mpererwe, Kimera, Makerere Hill, Soweto and Salaama. According to the mid-term review report presented by project coordinator Tamale Kiggundu recently, the roads would be upgraded from gravel to bitumen (tarmac) standard. Other investments include improvement of the 3.56km-long channel and extension of Mpererwe landfill by six acres.

So far, sh741m, out of the sh5b projected to compensate those who will be displaced has been given, Kiggundu said. The Government is responsible for the compensation. He said they are preparing to invite bidders for the channel construction and within three months works would begin.

KIIDP is a US$100m project funded by the World Bank. It is being implemented in three phases running between 2009 and 2018.

Jean Ankunda,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

The Mkomazi-Umba Game Reserve was elevated to the national park status on March 14, 2008.

Addressing a press conference at MNP headquarters, Tanapa public relations manager Pascal Shelutete, said the park, situated in a semi arid area with bimodal rainfall distribution, has huge economic potential which has remained hugely untapped.

He said the park, which is the home of black rhinos and wild dogs, has outreach programmes through which surrounding villagers are sensitised on the need for maintenance of environmental conservation of the area which is rectangular in shape covering an area of about 3,245 square kilometres.

Mr. Shelutete cited job creation, source of income, a forum for exchange of ideas, creation of friendship, a product market and the economic multiplier effects as some of tourism advantages availed at the park. He said MNP was among a few protected areas in Tanzania with large and visible population of gerenuk and onyx, adding that it was one of a few protected areas with wide elevation of mountain ranges and land form diversity which creates small mosaic habitat types as well as rich in biodiversity and which form habitats for Euro-Africa migrant birds.

Mr. Shelutete also revealed that the park falls into the Mkomazi-Tsavo ecosystem which is the second largest ecological trans-boundary ecosystem after the famous Serengeti in Masai Mara.

He added that night game drive, balloon safaris, mountain hiking as well as rhino and wild dog conservation lessons are some of the tourist activities to be introduced at the park.

Some of the proposed tourist facilities will include more tented camps and lodges for accommodation, more public and special campsites for camping as well as new game viewing tracks and re-routed old ones, he said.

Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

Addressing journalists at the Media Centre in Kampala on Monday, tourism minister Serapio Rukundo said the sport would promote adventure and environmentally friendly tourism. “We shall use the sport to promote our tourism potential and make Uganda more known and accessible internationally,” he said.

The expedition will raise awareness about the safe drinking water and malaria prevention projects undertaken by the African medical and research foundation. Rukundo said the sport was a potential source of employment to the youth and urged them to embrace one of the Olympics sports.

Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

“We are very impressed with the level of expertise in the preliminary work to rebuild the site,” Moriset said. The 130-year-old world heritage site was razed to the ground by a fire on March 16, destroying the mausoleum which housed the tombs of four Buganda kings.

The World Heritage committee meeting held in Brazil in July asked Uganda to wait for the mission before starting reconstruction works. The gender minister, Gabriel Opio, said the Government was committed to rebuilding the site without compromising its universal value.

Opio also said a trust fund and a national technical committee would be set up to oversee the reconstruction work estimated to cost sh10b. UNESCO has provided sh160m ($71,342), while Buganda has raised sh500m. The commission’s deputy chairperson, Augustine Okurut, attributed the delay in reconstruction of the tombs to intensive research into its history and social value.

The architectural work of the tombs is said to have been done by the Ngo clan of the Baganda and only they can rebuild it. The last renovation of the tombs was done in 1938 during the reign of Kabaka Daudi Chwa.

The commission will issue suggestions on preventive measures against a repeat of a similar incident in the future.

Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

Kalangala Infrastructure Services (KIS) has started $45m (about sh102.6b) development projects in Ssesse Islands, Uganda, an area that is made up of 84 islands.

The firm is to construct and operate two ferries, build a 1.6-megawatt solar plant to help with the power shortage, upgrade the 66km main island roads and develop a water supply system, according to John Opiro, the managing director. He said the two ferries would be ready by June 2011.

“The ferries are currently under construction in Mwanza, Tanzania and the ferry crew are also being trained at Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute to ensure that they acquire the necessary skills to man the ferries.” There are few ferries linking Ssesse islands to the mainland.

The islands are popular for fishing trips, romantic get aways, honey moon holidays, or the experience of the Uganda island holiday. The Government, through the works and transport ministry, will decide on whether or not the ferry services will be free of charge.

MV Kalangala, which plies the Bukakata (Entebbe) -Kalangala route was grounded months back and is presently undergoing repairs.

Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

While on a retreat to Nairobi, Ms Nankunda developed a strong conviction for wildlife and on return to Uganda with the help of her husband, she took on the project, leading to the birth of Snake Park.

Together with her sister Ms Sheba Mugisa, Ms Nankunda, a graduate of secretarial studies has managed to turn the snake park into a modern tourist site.

Its uniqueness is enough to catch anyone’s eyes. Built from the (Masengere) brown stones, the 22 cages are home to 15 species of snakes that have been displaced from their habitants by the human population. Inside the cages tree branches, sand, grass, stone and water give the snakes a conducive environment built with a purpose to accommodate snakes from different climatic conditions.

Kampala Snake Park is home to most of Africa’s snake species including; the forest cobra, olive snake, green mamba, Jameson’s mamba, bush viper, African rock python, rhinoceros viper, twig snake boiga and four leopard tortoises.

Mr. Godfrey Musese, a Snake Park attendant says these reptiles have been rescued from non-reserve areas and plans are under way to mobilise space for lizards and other reptile species. He says they have a target to bring 60 snake species and other species of reptiles. “Some of these snakes are brought in from Kenya though majority are sourced from their natural homes in Uganda,” he adds. The snakes usually feed once in two weeks, served with chicken, rats, lizards and Squirrels. The African rock python is fed on goat’s meat.

Jean,

Uganda Safari & Travel News.

The 3rd annual event organised by City Tyres was geared towards raising money to cater for rescued chimpanzees at Ngamba Island in Mukono, Uganda. The event saw both the environmentalists and corporate racing in their four-wheel drive automobiles. Registration for the competition was Shs300, 000 per vehicle and Shs30, 000 per head.

The event kicked off with wheel balancing, skill challenge, divorce derby and mud race among other challenges that excited the fans who kept on cheering their favorites. Chimpanzee caretakers from Ngamba, clad in a Chimpanzee style kept moving around, imitating chimpanzee walks and screams and cheering the challenge competitors. “We have raised Shs75m and that is a big achievement compared to Shs47m that we raised last year. I hope this will help the chimpanzee sanctuary run for some time,” City Tyres Managing Director Mr. Abudullahi Ahmed said.

Ms Lilly Ajarova, the Executive Director, Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wild life Conservation Trust that caters for the chimpanzees at Ngamba said that they spend Shs80m to feed the 44 chimpanzees at the island and Shs 20m for their veterinary services annually. She said that they manage the sanctuary through donations from well-wishers to help the rescued chimpanzees and create community awareness on the need to conserve them.

Promoters of tourism in Uganda have called for environmental protection as they bid to conserve biodiversity for the growth of the sector. Speaking during the 2nd Big Birding Day celebrations at Katomi Kingdom Resort in Entebbe, Uganda, the promoters said the high rate of environmental degradation could affect Uganda’s tourism potential.

“It is time Ugandans embarked on the protection of biodiversity for future generations,” said Mr. Stephen Masaba, the business development manager, Uganda Wildlife Authority.  This year’s Big Birding Day, which attracted 50 groups covering all sites of Uganda’s national parks and game reserves, enabled the identification of 655 bird species compared to 450 identified last year.

The highest number of bird species was recorded around the Kampala-Entebbe area with 175 bird species followed by Murchison Falls National Park with 162 and Queen Elizabeth National Park 160 bird species.

Kidepo National Park recorded 150 bird species, Mabamba Ramsar site 138, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 137 and Mabira Forest Reserve 136 bird species.

Bahai temple-Park, Kibale and Lake Mburo National Parks also recorded a number of bird species. This year’s celebration organised under the theme: “connecting birds to people and nature” aimed to promote awareness of the country’s tourism potential

A female student at Al Quds University in the Gaza strip attended class on Saturday only to find she was not the first to arrive and had been beaten to it by a young male chimpanzee. Alerted by her cries, campus police called a nearby zoo and were told that one of it’s chimps had made a dash for freedom, the University said. ‘ We had a surprise this morning when a fugitive chimpanzee from the zoo next door got into the university and began jumping around in a classroom, much to the consternation of students, an employee said. The runaway was recaptured and is now safely back in his cage.

After winning two gold medals for Uganda at the ongoing Commonwealth games in New Delhi, Moses Kipsiro’s victory, has attracted more recognition. The 24 year old Ugandan athlete has been anointed a tourism ambassador for Uganda.

The Uganda Tourism Board announced that Kipsiro will upon his arrival be anointed an ambassador for Destination Uganda, a title that will turn him into an official representative of Uganda’s tourism industry.  

‘For raising our flag so high, we shall congratulate him with shs 1million token upon his arrival’, said Mr. Muzahura the information and marketing manager of UTB. He also said Kipsiro will meet members of the tourism fraternity and after discussions, the athlete will be announced ambassador. He will carry out campaigns that will portray the beauty of Uganda, in and outside Uganda, promoting experience with apes, chimpanzees, and gorillas, popular in Uganda.

UTB a government agency charged with marketing the country’s tourism sector, has been in the process of selecting prominent Ugandans to identify with the Destination Uganda brand. Already confirmed is world music artiste, Susan Kerunen who was appointed about two months ago. Ms Kerunen who was last year nominated for the kora awards, is one of the most sought after entertainers for the tourists who flock this country

Uganda Hotels and recreational centres are to start charging lower rates for Ugandans. According to Mr. Bulaimu Muwanga Kibirige, the chair person of the Uganda Hotel Owner’s Association (UHOA) it is sad that many Ugandans, even those who travel all over the world, do not know about their country. We therefore want people to know that there is so much beauty here and this should be attained only through lowering hotel rates for Ugandans. 

According to the proposed arrangement, Uganda hoteliers will periodically give nationals, discounts of up to 40% of the normal rates. Kibirige made the remarks at a press conference at Hotel Africana. The waiver on hotel and recreational charges is also intended to stimulate growth in the hotel industry, which attracts about 800,000 visitors annually and employs over 15,000 people, according to the UHOA executive director, Ismail Sekandi.

Despite increased tourist inflow, most hotels across the country operate at an average occupancy rate of 50%, presenting a loss to the sector. The hoteliers asked the Government to provide more incentives to promote the sector.

By Nakiboneka Halimah

Uganda Safari and Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

The movement of travelers and goods from Uganda to Rwanda is to be facilitated 24 hours daily starting April next year, according to the agreement made with the two neighbouring countries.  The development comes following growing traffic of both cargo and passenger vehicles crossing the two borders.

The traffic is increasing with buses leaving Kampala as early as 11pm. They arrive at Katuna before 6am. However, bus operators complain that most times “the border is closed leaving passengers to suffer in the biting cold at the borders.”

Mr. Edward Mukaya, a regular traveler between Kigali and Kampala complained,”  “We at times remain in the long queues for hours at the border for hours without customs and immigration officers in the office. These people start work at 6am which is lowering business.”

 On a good note, Mr. Gerald Nkusi Mukubu, the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) publicist, however, says the delays at the two borders are to be addressed. This means more immigration staff, customs officials and security personnel are to be recruited to facilitate the 24-hour services at the border posts.

The travelers visiting Uganda and Rwanda including tourists, will have to wait for another five months before Uganda and Rwanda start implementing the 24-hour services at Gatuna and Katuna.

“It was proposed during the East African Community Revenue Authority Commissioner Generals meeting that Gatuna-Katuna border will remain open 24-hours by April next year,” Nkusi said.

The Kigali meeting was attended by revenue bosses from Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.  Bus operators and passengers as well as tour operators who have their clients visiting Uganda and Rwanda for gorilla tracking, chimpanzee tours, cultural adventures and other safari packages in these two tourist destinations have welcomed the 24-hour service saying it is timely and another important step towards regional integration.”

The planned 24 hours operations at Katuna and Gatuna come at a time Rwanda is also planning to ease cross border trade at its border with Burundi and DR Congo.  In June this year, The Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) border posts of the member countries were supposed to operate 24 hours, with effect from September, 1, 2009.

CEPGL member states include Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo.  The members also agreed that their nationals would use identity cards as travel documents for border residents for a period not exceeding three days. Rwanda offers a 90 day visa free stay to CEPGL nationals and has the work permit waived for EAC nationals.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safaris and Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

The Executive Director of Uganda Wild Life Authority, Mr Moses Mapesa, had an interview with 93.3 Kfm Hot Seat talk show and answered some critical issues affecting tourism and wild life in Uganda.

Uganda Wildlife Authority  has been making headlines with the campaign ‘Friend a gorilla’ lately, what has Uganda with its endowed natural resources and wild life have to show in terms of tourism money?

With the common saying that you can only get what you bargain for, we have to bargain hard so as to get as much as we should have got despite the endowment. This is why Uganda Wildlife Authority came up with this campaign, a form of bargain where we are beseeching Ugandans. We are informing the international community that Uganda is the country that they should choose whenever they think about holidays.

How do you intend to brand the tourism industry so that we can reap maximum profit from it?

It is about branding of the country and not just in terms of tourism or the wildlife but in terms of broader products that the country has on offer. We think that we should be able to embrace the branding concept as a country and will help us market our products.

What is the biggest problem in the tourism sector?

The challenges are many in terms of security, infrastructure and even in terms of manpower development and capacity. But as I alluded, the biggest challenge has been disruption of governance. We have had good manpower capacity in the 1960s up-to 1970 but we more or less lost it and it takes time to build it back. We have had ADF and LRA disruptions, which have had a big impact on our image as a country because whereas the bigger part of this country has been stable, we have had other regions unsafe and people out there can never understand this.   

What has been failing us?

I think one big factor that we must overcome is the public image as a country. Uganda needs to stand out as a stable, safe and secure destination, which we must tell the world our selves. The days of insecurity are long gone. In all our national parks and wild life reserves, we can guarantee the safety of any visitors.

How much does the government inject in tourism?

This financial year, the government increased money allocated to Uganda Tourism Board. With UWA, we generate funds to supplement the tourism budget. This financial year, we intend to generate up-to Shs20 billion and that has been increment from the Shs4 billion in 2000.

How do you spend that money?

We work through partnerships to improve tourism infrastructure. What we have concentrated on in the last 10 years is to improve our capacity and to clearly define and market wild life reserves (and national parks). We are now moving to invest in partnerships with service providers like the transporters so that the tourist experience improves.     

Not less than $1billion was invested in the ‘gifted by nature’ campaign, what did we get out of it?

The ‘gifted by nature campaign’ had some good results. There was improved understanding about the situation in Uganda and for those six months, a lot of good information about Uganda was churned out but what did not happen was continuity. We had a break partly because of funding and partly because we get wiser as we try other things and I think we have now gotten wiser and that is why for the “friend a gorilla’ campaign, we have used internet technology like Face book and Twitter, which move has a ripple effect.

Can we have places where ordinary Ugandans can afford, since they do not have dollars?

We now have facilities in place where other Ugandans who may not go to Mweya and Para can go and comfortably stay. We have also had discussion with hotel developers to have discount depending on seasons. Mweya and Para Safari Lodges get full in high seasons and that is the time we get international visitors flocking to the parks.

During seasons like January, February and March when these places are virtually empty is the time we want to see more discount given to Ugandans.

How much do I have to pay for a night at Mweya Safari Lodge?

About Shs300, 000 or there about but there also other facilities that will cost you between Shs100, 000 or Shs50, 000. But their are other cheaper facilities. Visitation by students to the national park is free and their accommodations at the parks are highly subsidized.

What is “friend a gorilla’ campaign all about?   

We must understand that gorillas can be friends of man and indeed they are already making a contribution to mans survival through tourism and once we appreciate that we then agree that part of that habitat where they stay should remain for them to utilise for generations after all there are only 340 left in Uganda and the population of Uganda is over 30million.

By Nakiboneka Halimah

Uganda Safaris snd Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

Gauff Engineering, a Germany based company has shown interest in constructing a modern inland port on Lake Victoria to handle Uganda’s exports and imports.

This was contained in a discussion between Gauff Engineering Administrator, Markus Gauff and the Vice President of Uganda, Prof. Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya.

The meeting took place at the Parliamentary VIP lounge in Kampala. Prof. Bukenya welcomed the executives of Gauff to Uganda and affirmed that the country needs such an investment to boost economic activities and trade with the neighboring countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda as well as save on the freight charges on road transport across the borders.

The Vice President pledged full government support to the investors and informed them of viable investment opportunities in other sectors like food and fruit processing.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safaris and Travel Guide News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

The Ministry of Tourism together with the Uganda Wildlife Authority launched a tourism marketing campaign- the first ever- that is projected to throw the presently struggling sector to the path of competitiveness. This campaign was launched on Saturday 26^th September 2009.

The campaign, “Friend A Gorilla”, that mainly focuses on online tourism marketing, will involve tracking Uganda’s mountain gorillas and other tourism related activities through internet social networks including Facebook and Twitter. All the social network subscribers will have the opportunity to track local tourism sector events online, a development UWA recently said was a shift from the use of brochures to modern technology in marketing the country’s tourism potential.

The re-known international celebrities and Hollywood actors including Jason Biggs, Simon Curtis, Nicholas Brendon, Kristy Wu and Eddie Kay were in the country to flag-off the drive in an event expected to be presided over by President Museveni.

It was however, difficult to ascertain whether the president would officiate at the event since he was still in the United States (New York) attending the United Nations annual General Assembly.

State Minister for Tourism Serapio Rukundo in a recent statement said the initiative would help raise funds that would intern be used in implementing wildlife conservation enterprises. “I wish to congratulate UWA for coming up with such an innovative strategy for fundraising and marketing Uganda as a gorilla tourism destination,” the minister said.

“The Ministry of Tourism is supportive of new and modern ways of marketing and our future strategy will be to provide funding for this.” he continued to say.

According to UWA the project is expected to raise more than $100 million (approximately Shs220 billion) – which would be used in implementing conservation programmes of the wildlife conservation body.

The programme will offer the tourism sector an opportunity to take advantage of the currently growing Information Communications Technology (ICT) industry to transition to international levels. Although the initiative has been given a nod locally, the achievements of the campaign may be realized in the long-run given the still low levels of internet connectivity both locally, regionally and in Africa.

Africa, the second most populated continent has got the least numbers of internet users and some analysts say the low numbers could bar majority Africans in supporting such online campaigns.

The launch comes in the wake of a revelation by Uganda Bureau of Statistics that the tourism industry was picking up after a slow in the last two years.Quarterly tourist arrival figures indicated the sector had registered a 29.7 percent growth.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safari and Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is expecting to raise about US$100million in one year from an Internet-based tourism campaign dubbed ‘Friend a Gorilla Campaign.’ 

The campaign, which is due to be launched this week (September 26) will raise the money through the Internet and other forms of sponsorship for wildlife conservation.

“Beside the $1 that will be paid for each gorilla befriended on the internet, we expect to get sponsorships for families of gorillas from corporate companies,” said Mr. Moses Mapesa the executive director UWA.

Uganda‘s tourism sector has registered significant growth over the past three years in both revenues collected and the number of visitors arriving into the country.

In 2006, Uganda registered 500,000 visitors but that number was bettered in 2007 with 700,000 visitors while 2008 saw 800,000 visitors come to Uganda. The revenue collected from tourism has also been rising. In 2006, $350 million was collected; in 2007 $450 million was collected while in 2008 $600 million was collected. It is estimated that gorillas alone contribute $200 million annually.

The rise in numbers can be attributed to improved security, facilities especially in the hospitality industry and a rich flora and fauna.

Beside these attractions, the country boasts of some rare animal species including tree climbing lions found in the Ishasha the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and chimpanzees found in Kibale National park, kyambura gorge Queen Elizabeth national park and Budongo forest Murchison falls National Park.

Mapesa said the campaign is aimed at positioning Uganda as an up-market tourism destination to local, regional and international markets. Under this campaign, Ugandans and the international public will befriend a Ugandan mountain gorilla through internet-based social networks such as Face book, Twitter and My Space.

Anyone will be able to befriend as many gorillas as they wish and pay $1 for each of the gorilla they befriend. Each gorilla will be befriended by as many people possible.

A Global Positioning System (GPS) will be used to show the gorilla movements on a map of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park so that whoever befriends a gorilla is able to tell its movements on the map.

Uganda is home to 53% of the world’s mountain gorilla population, with the other half spread in the three trans-boundary national parks – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda,Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and the Virungas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safaris and Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

Rwandair and Ethiopian Airlines have entered into a convention agreement to boost their visibility.

Under two national flag carriers’ partnership, Rwandair will serve as the marketing carrier and Ethiopian Airlines will be the operating carrier. The Vice President Commercial of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tadesse Adane and Rwandair Chairman, Mr. Gerald Zirimwabagabo signed the agreement in Kigali, Rwanda.

Mr. Zirimwabagabo after signing said that this is a major milestone in the development of Rwandair and the airline industry in the country.

He said the small airline is looking for partnerships that will allow its clients fly beyond its destinations.

The Ethiopian carrier, according to Tadesse, seeks partners to develop and increase its market share in southern Africa, particularly the Rwandan market.

Tadesse said the airline has embarked on helping African small airlines to be competitive and boost the African airline industry.  He said currently the carrier flies daily to and from Kigali and that he hopes the new partnership will ‘greatly’ double the flights.

The two airlines are incomparable in both resources and market share but the airlines’ bosses believe they will reap from the partnership. 

Rwandair’s code share with Ethiopian Airlines came following similar partnerships with other major airlines including Brussels Airlines, and the USA- based Virgin Atlantic Airlines to boost its visibility.

The airline is also pursuing an ambitious plan to purchase two used CRJ aircrafts from Lufthansa, a Germany based carrier, with ambitions to reposition in the regional aviation industry.

Currently Rwandair is operating three aircrafts on lease while Ethiopian Airlines commands 35 aircrafts.  Ethiopian Airlines has been crowned the African Airline of Year 2009. 

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safaris and Travel Guide News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

Air Uganda will on September 7 resume its morning flight from Entebbe to Nairobi and vise versa, which it had suspended a year ago. The reintroduction of the morning flights is expected to reinforce Air Uganda’s stature on one of the most lucrative routes in the region.

The announcement of the return of the morning flights came over the weekend as the airline introduced another aircraft to its growing fleet.

Jennifer Musime Bamuturaki, Air Uganda Head of sales and marketing said with the re-introduction of our morning flight, Air Uganda is now in a better position to serve their clients and provide them with great value for money fares and a more attractive convenient schedule that enables them to do a day’s business in Nairobi and make more flights to other airlines at Jomo Kenyatta Airport.

The morning flight had been suspended after a rise in oil prices and a dip in passenger numbers hurt the company’s revenue. That suspension, announced in July 2008, left Air Uganda with only the evening flight.

The new morning flight will leave Entebbe at 6:45 am and arrive in Nairobi at 7:45am. In Nairobi, Air Uganda will leave at 8:15 am and arrive at Entebbe one hour later.

Air Uganda also flies to Juba, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar. The company has three aircraft at the moment, with two more expected by the end of the year.

Air Uganda is fully owned by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development. The airline has been operating in Uganda since 2007.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safari and Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

Kampala city yesterday got excited in the morning hours as 50 dummy mountain gorillas roamed the streets.

Vendors had  to abandon their business to see the dummy gorillas which were having a great meal of yellow bananas, shook hands with passers-by and distributed fliers to them.

A traffic Police officer at Entebbe Road junction, Richard Okem, blamed the gorillas for the thick traffic jam as drivers stopped to stare at them.

“They are very exciting and many people are very attracted to them,” he said. “But they have caused traffic jam.”

Despite the fanfare, some people took off in panic on seeing their close relatives on the streets roaming.

One shop attendant only identified as Isaac was initially scared at Shell Capital on meeting these dummy gorillas but later joined other admirers. “Nobody has seen a gorilla in the city and what do you expect if you just bump into it unexpectedly?” Isaac asked. “Many people fear drawing closer to them.”

At the Clock Tower, some gorillas became ecstatic when people gave them coins.

These dummy  gorillas were moving in pairs and groups of three. They stood at the major junctions and streets of Wandegeya round-about, the Constitutional Square, the Clock Tower, Parliamentary Avenue, Hotel Equatoria, Pioneer Mall and Theatre Labonita, near Christ the King Church.

This activity was organised by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to promote awareness and protection of gorillas and encourage the public to live in harmony with them.

Moses Mapesa the director of  Uganda Wildlife Authority explained that the event also helped the wildlife watchdog to publicise the UN international year of gorillas commemoration coming up later in the year.

 “We received a positive response from the public,” Mapesa added. “Many people were curious about the gorillas.”

 He said next year, the authority would have a marathon race from Kampala to Bwindi, the home of the gorillas, to promote tourism, which contributes 5% to Uganda’s GDP.

The gorillas are among the most endangered species in Uganda, which need protection because they contribute alot to Uganda’s tourism development since they are the major tourist attractions in Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park and the activity that is known as gorilla tracking in these parks is the most expensively paid for activity.

Tour operator companies an example being Abacus African Vacations organise Uganda Gorilla Safaris packages to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for their tourists who come to Uganda every year just to visit the gorillas.
Uganda alone has got half of the worlds’ mountain gorilla population which is found in Bwindi being followed by Rwanda and DRC Congo and these are the only 3 countries in the whole world where you can find gorillas. This attracts alot of toursits from all over the world to come and have a memorable experience when they spend time with these cloes relatives of man. Therefore Ugandans should be sensitized about this gift of nature they ahve got in their own country and stop endagering the gorillas.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safaris and Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

Uganda has set its eyes to cash in on fundamental gorilla tracking.

On September 26^th 2009, the fundamental network to track the gorillas will be launched in Kampala and will be witnessed by world leaders and local and international superstars.

This was revealed by Ms. Eunice Mahoro, the Director of Tourism Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in an interview with East African Business Week.

She explained explained further that fundamental gorilla tracking will involve stationing of cameras within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and trackers will only be able to track gorillas with the help of Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates.

“All this will be possible by one logging on website www.friendagorilla.org which will work in the same way as Face book, Twitter and My Space. Once you befriend a gorilla or gorillas, you will be interacting with your gorilla friend on a weekly basis and you will get updates on the movement of your gorilla friend(s) in Bwindi. And all you do is paying just one dollar or an equivalent in Uganda shillings to any of the mobile telephone networks and you will get yourself a gorilla friend,” Mahoro said.

She continued to say that once someone befriends a gorilla; that person will be able to follow births, new relationships and genealogy of your friend, all life long.

“But you do not have to be on the social network site, you can track your gorilla friend on www.friendagorilla.org site by going to the web page Geotrack,” Mahoro said.

She explained that come September 24, the Nshongi gorilla family in Kisoro will be officially launched by tracking this biggest family of gorillas with 34 individual members which has been habituated for tracking recently.

“This is the year of the gorilla and we want to get everyone on board. We shall have many campaigns starting August 31 with gorilla road shows; culminating in a fundraising corporate gala at Kampala Serena Hotel. With the website connection and the gala, we hope to raise about US$2 billion (US$1 million),” Mahoro said. She explained that tourism last year contributed $600m and the biggest chunk came from gorilla tracking and currently, the tourism sector contributes 4% of the country’s GDP.

Lillian Nsubuga, the Communication and Public Relations Manager UWA, said the money raised will mostly be used for constructing fully operational clinics around the national park and one project that will be initiated by the community.

By Nakiboneka Halimah

Uganda Safaris and Travel Guide News
Kampala Uganda

The transport costs from Entebbe to Kalangala Islands have doubled after Uganda’s only active vessel on Lake Victoria, MV Kalangala, temporarily suspended operations to pave way for its inspection. The vessel’s insurance had expired creating fear among users about their safety.

International Marine Surveyors from South Africa were contracted by the government to carry out the inspection. Fares from Nakiwogo Landing Site to Lutoboka in Ssese Islands where recreational and relaxation sites are found have increased from Shs12, 000 to Shs25, 000 on a speedboat and transport from Kasenyi water ways to Kalangala on a ‘normal’ boat costs between Shs18, 000 to Shs25, 000 up from Shs10, 000.

Tourists to Ssese Island beaches now find it very hard to travel with their vehicles as it was before.” We can’t travel with our vehicles to the island or carry much load yet we are paying twice more money than we used to pay on the ship,” Mr. Umaru Malume, a tourist found at Nakiwogo landing site, said on Friday.

Businessmen who carry bulky materials from Kampala to Ssese can now only use the ferry at Bukakata Landing Site in Masaka which is about 100 miles from Kampala.

The ferry also has its inconsistencies -it sometimes takes long to dock at the landing site or even have irregular trips between the two landing sites. Ssese Islands is a popular tourist destination because of its good camping sites while Kalangala is one of the biggest business hubs on the lake. State Minister for Transport Simon Ejua recently revealed that the inspection would take two weeks and the vessel will be functioning by the start of September.

Every year, the vessel undergoes inspection to ascertain its operational safety status. A source in the Works Ministry, who preferred anonymity because they are not authorised to speak to the press, said registration of the vessel is likely to cost the tax payer $3,467 (about Shs7.3m) while docking  will take $7,980(about Shs16.5m). The vessel was built in 2005 in fulfillment of President Museveni’s 2001 campaign pledge to the islanders.

 By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safaris and Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

Cessna aircraft, registration 5X-WTA, reportedly flying from the southwestern Kisoro town to Kampala that apparently developed unspecified problems mid-air, forcing the pilot to contrive an emergency landing on the usually busy Masaka motorway.

With no airstrip in their midst, people in the rural neighborhood of Kyabadaza near Buwama Trading Centre scampered to safety fearing the Cessna aircraft would plunge into their homes – or worse still disintegrate over them.

But the pilot only identified as Steve made a mesmerizing maneuver, landing the plane precisely on the surfaced thoroughfare, before skidding slightly off the road – ploughing in its path the loose loamy soil.

From the plane, emerged the pilot and two passengers; Pedro and Fatima – a Portuguese couple – returning from a holiday in the wild attractions of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, western Uganda’s touristic commune.

A mass of curious on lookers quickly assembled at the scene, gazing at the survivors in awe.

Besides the pilot, emerged the partners gripping one another’s hand yet it was the passionate kiss they drowned shortly afterwards that appeared to electrify the crowd, prompting shy village girls to turn away – for lovers in this rural community mostly express passions in the dark.

As uncertainty loomed, giving way to rumored mechanical fault or fuel shortage, the government announced that an investigation was underway into the incident. The Civil Aviation Authority separately praised the ingenuity of the pilot for saving lives in a critical situation.

Mr Ignie Igunduura, the CAA spokesman, said: “For anyone to make the decision he made and execute it successfully under the circumstances is a mark of skillfulness,”

Steve’s expertise wasn’t just demonstrated in the correct landing. After CAA technocrats certified the plane was still airworthy; the pilot requested Police to seal just an estimated 300-metre stretch of the Masaka highway, which he turned into a runway on which he lifted the plane on a flawless 4:30pm return flight to the operator’s base in Kajjansi, Wakiso District.

A director of Kampala Aero-Flight Training Centre, who identified himself only as Mr Jeremy, confirmed that the plane touched down successfully. He, however, declined any comments saying the company was still in discussions with aviation officials and would issue an official statement on the “controlled situation” later.

Works and Transport Minister John Nasasira said he had been briefed about the incident and tasked CAA officials to find out its exact cause. The information he got was that the plane was from Kisoro and carrying some tourists but it made an emergency landing at a school in Mpigi.CAA is going to investigate what happened.”

Mr Lawrence Nuwabine, the traffic officer for Kampala Extra region, said it was luck that no vehicles were on the stretch of the Masaka Highway where the plane touched down.

The last fatal plane accident in Uganda happened at Entebbe International Airport in March this year when an IIlyushin-76 plane en-route to Somalia, disintegrated into a fireball shortly after takeoff. A government-sanction inquiry into the crash has not been concluded to this day and there is no official explanation for the inordinate delay either.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safaris and Travel Guide News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

Uganda’s only active vessel on Lake Victoria –MV Kalangala has temporarily suspended operations to pave way for its inspection.

This appalling information emerged yesterday that the vessel’s insurance had expired creating fears among users about their safety.

MV Kalangala vessel  plies the waterways from Nakiwogo Landing Site in Entebbe to Lutoboka, Ssese Islands. It transports Uganda’s local traders and tourists visiting Ssese Island and Kalangala islands.

Ministry of Works and Transport Publicist, Ms Susan Kataike confirmed yesterday that the vessel’s insurance cover expired but it will be renewed after inspection.

“That is what we are working on and after inspection the vessel will get another certificate of insurance,” she said.

The inspection is expected to take about two weeks and the vessel will be functioning by August 31 according to Mr Ejua. But before it is taken for inspection, Mr Ejua said the ship was scheduled to first transport the visiting Commonwealth speakers and presiding officers to Kalangala Islands for a tour between  August 12 -17. The inspection was expected to take place last month but was delayed due to unclear reasons.

Every year, the vessel undergoes inspection to ascertain its operational safety status. However, Ms Kataike didn’t give the actual cost of inspection but said registration will cost the tax payer $3467 (about Shs7.3million) while docking will take $ 7980(about Shs16.5million).

The absence of the vessel will affect passengers who travel to and from the islands daily. This will also affect the tourists who will love to adventure the Islands and also have holidays at the beach hotels on the islands for example Ssese Habitat Resort, Palm Beach Resort Kalangala during this period of no operation. Passengers mainly with bulky goods will now have to use a longer route via Masaka using a ferry at Bukakata Landing Site.

The vessel was built in 2005 in fulfilment of President Yoweri Museveni 2001 campaign pledge to the islanders.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safaris and Travel guide News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

About 70,000 tourists have visited Uganda‘s national parks and game reserves in the first four months of 2009.

This has been revealed by Geofrey Masaba, the Business Development Manager of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Kampala last week. Masaba said Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth national parks are the top destinations for both local and foreign tourists with Kidepo National Park being the least visited destination.

Masaba said that it is not true that local tourism is being ignored. Nationals and foreign residents dominate the entries into our parks.  He continued to say they are both inward looking and outward looking in attracting tourists to visit these heritage destinations which we are proud to conserve.

He said that there is a growing trend of tourists visiting Uganda and hopes that by the end of the year, the figures will be much more impressive than last year or the year before. “In 2008, over 130,000 tourists visited our parks compared to over 120,000 tourists in the year 2007. We see an appreciation trend which we are excited about and we believe that by end of the year, we shall post impressive results,” he added.

Uganda has 12 national parks, with unique fauna and flora.

These include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Rwenzori Mountain National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibaale Forest Reserve, Semliki Wildlife Reserve and Mgahinga Forest National Park, all in western Uganda. Others are Kidepo National Park in the north, bordering Sudan and Kenya; Mount Elgon National Park; Katonga Game Reserve, Murchison Falls National Parks and Semliki Wildlife Reserve.

Nakiboneka Halimah

Uganda Safaris and Travel Guide News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

A school of hippos has been found at Munyonyo in Kampala where it got its new home. They have become a regular spectacle at the shores of Lake Victoria at Speke Resort, Munyonyo.

According to the local fishermen, there are three hippos, an adult male, which is as big as a “commuter taxi” and a mother hippo, which is always accompanying her baby. They are often sighted in the evenings at around 6:00pm and early in the morning.

One of the residents in the area said that it is very rare to see hippos in this part of the country and this has added value to Speke Resort Munyonyo since intending tourists will not have to travel to Murchison Falls National Park to see hippos.

While the managers at resort and country club are excited about the hippos, the animals have scared the fishing community at Munyonyo.

Robert Mukasa, a local fisherman, pointed out that the hippos come out of the water to the beach. “We have seen the hippos walking near the resort and sometimes feeding on the grass and potato vines. They often move around a large territory within the Munyonyo bay,” he said.

The hippos have been seen in the bay for more than a year. They are thought to have come from parts of Lake Victoria near Kaazi or Entebbe.

 “It is now unsafe to fish because the mother is too aggressive. Whereas her baby is playful and approaches canoes, the mother swiftly intervenes to protect it,” he added.

Fishermen warn each other to vacate the lake whenever the hippos are sighted.

“The hippos also tear our nets at night,” Mukasa said.

In an interview, Achilles Byaruhanga, the director of Nature Uganda, said smaller groups of hippos have been seen at Lutembe bay and Nakiwogo near Entebbe.

He said the hippos are in danger of being killed by residents because they are perceived as dangerous.

“The fishermen either avoid places where they are or kill them. That is why they hide during the day, only coming out at night.”

Byaruhanga said the gazetted protected areas left out marine parks that are vital in tourism and protection of bio-diversity.

Two years ago, part of Lake Victoria near Munyonyo, Kaazi and around the Buvuma islands, was declared a Commonwealth reserve and marine park because of its diversity in species, but nothing has been done to protect the area.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safaris and Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

Mountain gorillas and other animals fled the Mufumbiro mountain ranges at the Uganda-Rwanda border yesterday following a bush fire that started in Rwanda in the morning and spread to Uganda.

The gorillas are said to be fleeing to the Congo side of the mountain range. Muhabura Mountain was covered in thick smoke. Efforts to control the rampant fire were hampered by an acute shortage of water.

The Kisoro resident district commissioner, Ahmed Doka made announcements on radio urging Ugandans of goodwill to help put out the fire.

Moses Mapesa of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) said that they are working with the respective armies in Uganda and Rwanda and other stakeholders to manage the situation.  He downplayed the incident, saying such fires occur in cycles and are a natural phenomenon. They help the system get rid of excessive biomass and dangerous species like some fungi, thus giving way for better and healthier species to emerge.

However, a Rwandan source said the fire could have been lit to ‘smoke out’ Interahamwe rebels, who had been seen in the mountains.

The Mufumbiro mountain range, which include Muhabura, Mgahinga, Sabyinyo and Nyamuragira mountains, harbour over 200 animal species, the most famous being the pygmy chimpanzees (Bonobo apes) which share 98.4% of their genetic make-up with humans.

The fire, described as the worst disaster to hit the flora and fauna in the area, comes in the Year of the Gorilla, as declared by the UN.

UWA and other stakeholders had organized a series of activities to protect the endangered Mountain Gorilla, of which there are only about 720 left in the world, all in the border area of Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo.

One population of about 340 mountain gorillas inhabits the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Kisoro, south-western Uganda.

The second population is found in a mountainous region referred to as the Virungas, which includes Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda), Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) and Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo). Approximately 380 gorillas are found in the Virungas.

Planned activities included a gorilla race in September. Local UWA authorities are worried that if the fire spreads to neighbouring Mgahinga National Park, there could be no gorillas left for the scheduled race.

By yesterday afternoon, buffaloes and other animals were taking refuge around homesteads.

Other sources said the gorillas, being more cunning than other animals, had already found an escape route to neighboring Congolese forests.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safaris and Travel guide News

Kampala Uganda

The bad image abroad created by Idi Amin’s regime needs to be changed in order for Uganda to have more foreign tourists. This is a statement said by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

Meeting the parliamentary committee on tourism, trade and industry yesterday, the executive director, Moses Mapesa, said many people in Europe and the US still perceived Uganda as that of the 1970s when the country was considered a no-go area and added that Uganda was now a safe tourist destination.

Mapesa said the global financial crisis also had a negative impact on tourism.

He, however, said with aggressive and focused marketing, the effect of the financial crunch would be overcome. The inflation rate had gone up to about 14% and the shilling had depreciated to sh2, 000 to a dollar, adding that this discouraged tourists.

“This means that even if we maintain the current level of operations, there will be an increase in costs, especially on food and fuel,” he told the committee which was chaired by Nakifuma MP Joseph Mugambe.

He said a separate budget for capital and recurrent expenditures totalling sh57b for a three-year period had been added on the tourism ministry’s budget proposal to the Government.

“This is in line with the Government’s efforts to support the tourism sector as it is one of the major foreign exchange earners in the country,” he said.

Mapesa added that the funds would boost the authority’s conservation and tourism efforts.

The UPDF representative to Parliament, Maj. Gen. J.F Oketta, said there was lack of information to the outside world about Uganda.

“We should have documentaries shown to the outside world,” Oketta advised.

By Nakiboneka Halimah

Uganda Safaris and Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

Kenya Airways has denied talk that it is scared by the coming in of Delta Air Lines. Delta Airlines is an American airline which recently announced launch of direct flights from Nairobi to the USA.

Mr. Daniel Maundu, the Kenya Airways (KQ) Uganda Country Manager on Thursday said they are not worried but instead looking at it as another business opportunity. He said that not all passengers that Delta will be bringing in will terminate in Nairobi. They need connectivity to their final destinations. And who better connects Africa from Nairobi than Kenya Airways?

He further added that we have another opportunity to sell Delta’s networks out of Jommo Kenyatta International Airport to Entebbe International Airport, to Bujumbura, to Kigali, Tanzania, Dubai, South Africa and many more destinations. He, however, admitted that Delta Airlines is also seen as competitor since KQ, too, has flights to the USA. But that competition does not scare them stiff. It is a wake up call. It will help us to be more creative, innovative in our airline products, improve our services and come up with the best practices for our customers. And best practices come out directly or out of competition, Maundu emphasized.

Maundu argued that some Delta Air Line customer could get to know about Kenya as a country and that could be another potential investor.

He argued that once Delta is happy with the services at Kenyatta Airport, news of the goodness of Kenya where KQ may get mentioned, will attract other airlines that would utilize KQ’s interline connections.

The government of Kenya has 23% stake in the KQ airliner. KQ is cross-listed on the Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Uganda stock exchanges.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safari and Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

Uganda hosted the 5th Africa-Asia Business Forum (AABF) 2009 conference which started on the 15th June 15 and ended on the17th June 2009.

The 5th Africa-Asia Business Forum (AABF) 2009 conference was intended to bring together top officials and private sector representatives from 65 countries in Africa and Asia and international organizations to review, examine and assess the existing strategies in Africa for sustainable tourism.

 This forum was organized by UNDP in collaboration with Japan‘s foreign affairs ministry, the World Bank, UNIDO and the United Nations World Tourism Organization. It was also intended to deliberate on how to expand marketing opportunities in tourism and foster tourism investment among Asian and Africa nations.

The state minister for tourism, Serapio Rukundo told journalists  that the conference was expected to offer a platform for the tourism organization and the business community to exchange views on tourism promotion, trade and investment between Asia and Africa. He further said that the conference was to expose participants such as tour operators, travel agents and all those connected to the tourism industry to information on potential business opportunities, and sharing of best practices and challenges.

The tourism trade fair at the conference, showcased Uganda‘s tourism potential. And like any other international conference, boosted the tourism industry in Uganda.

Uganda Tourism Association president, Mr. Amos Wekesa said in an interview that Africa‘s image was at stake and this was the time to use this forum to redeem it. Africa contributes only 4% of the world’s tourism earnings therefore Africa needs partnerships. He further noted that they expect government and private sector officials to use this conference to network and get business through these big media networks like CNBC, CNN, BBC and Reuters which showcased the event live from Kampala.

Wekesa added that the private and public sector would benefit greatly from this forum through networking and business-to-business meetings.
This will help increase in the number of  tourists coming into Uganda to take up different tour and safari packages offered by Uganda’s tour operators. Examples of these safari and tour packages include gorilla safaris done in Bwindi National park and Mgahinga National Park, wildlife and primate safaris done in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest  National Park, Murchison falls National park, Lake Mburo National Park, hiking safaris done in Mt. Rwenzori and Mount Elgon national Park. Birding and cultural safaris are also conducted in these national parks as well.    

The conference had activities like a three-day exhibition, presentation on gorilla awareness and Uganda‘s traditional dances among others.

This event which attracted about 300 local and international delegates, including 11 ministers from different countries, was held at Kampala‘s Speke Resort Munyonyo and was organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism. Some participants who attended were from Asia, Japan, China and Singapore.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safari News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

Uganda’s part of Mountain Rwenzori has been declared a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance) and this has brought the total number of such sites in Uganda to 12.

Categorizing a wetland as a Ramsar site is very important because this helps to increase conservation efforts by both the local and international communities and also helps to boost our tourism industry.

Mr. Mafabi Paul, the commissioner in-charge of wetlands, said Rwenzori was declared a Ramsar site because it is one of the few areas covered with snow at the equator. This is very important in tourism because it is one of the tourist destination sites in Uganda. International tourists usually come and do mountaineering safaris in this area.

He explained that as the snow melts, it forms wetlands, referred to as bogs, which supply rivers Semliki, Mobuku and Nyamwamba with water.

Mafabi further said that the new site covers 99,500 hectares, has a boundary of 1,646 metres above sea level and covers a snow line of 5,091 metres above sea level.

The livelihoods of millions of people depend on the Rwenzori because the water and the rich soils are important for agriculture, he said.

Mafabi said the water that feeds Lake George, one of the most productive lakes in Africa, comes from Mountain Rwenzori. The mountain was declared a national park over a decade ago. He said that he expects increased awareness and attention globally about the plight of the receding glaciers. The area is now a global issue since it is a Ramsar site instead of a national park.

In a separate interview last Wednesday, Vincent Barugahare of the wetlands management department in the environment ministry said the DR Congo was working on a proposal to classify the remaining part of Rwenzori as a Ramsar site.

He said they had a meeting with the government officials from the DR Congo last year to share data because we are working towards establishing a transboundary Ramsar site.

Uganda moved ahead of Congo, but their application will probably be considered soon.

Barugahare said the new site would provide an insight on the disappearing snow and monitor climate change. Lake George was the first wetland to be gazetted as a Ramsar site in 1988. It was followed by Nabugabo in Masaka district.

Last year, nine Ramsar sites were added on the list. They include lakes Bisina, Nakuwa, Opeta, Lutembe and Mabamba. Others are the Murchison Falls, Nabajjuzi and Sango Bay all of which are tourist destination sites and important for bird watching.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safari and Travel Guide News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

A new multi-purpose ship worth sh15b is set to replace MV Kabalega that sunk in Lake Victoria in 2005. The vessel that will ply between Port Bell and other ports is set to start operations in the course of the year.

State minister for transport Simon Ejua yesterday said the vessel would be supplemented by MV Pamba and MV Kaawa that are undergoing repair. Ejua said assessment and rehabilitation of MV Pamba and Kaawa is ongoing. The two ships are expected to sail by the end of 2009.

He added that the Mutukula border post on the Uganda-Tanzania boundary would be upgraded to facilitate trade in the region.

Ejua was addressing board members of the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala. The meeting was attended by delegates from Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda.

By Nakiboneka Halimah

Uganda Safari and Travel News Reporter

Semliki with an area of 220 square kilometers which was formerly a forest reserve, was given national park status in 1993.

The park got its name from the river that forms the Uganda – Congo border. It is the only park in Uganda that is primarily made up of tropical lowland forest.

The park is accessible from Kampala either by air or road. From Kampala via Fort portal, the park is about 363 kms.

With some of Africa’s most spectacular bird species, the novice birder and bird enthusiasts continue to visit the area in big numbers just like you see people going to Pentecostal churches and mosques. The bird list is 441 species including some of Africa’s most spectacular and sought after birds such as the long tailed hawk, Lyre tailed honey guide, Nkulengu Rail and the rare Shoe Bill stork.

The unique eco system in the area is shared with Ituri forest across the Semliki River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A 4 x 4 wheel drive vehicle is recommended as it will also enhance your panoramic views of the park.

There are a number of hot springs in the area among which is the famous Sempaya hot spring with a boiling geyser of about 106°C that spurts up to two metres high from a white iced cake like base. This is evidence that strong tectonic forces could have and continue to shape sections of the western rift valley.

The park is also home to about 53 mammals and contains 336 tree species plus a good number of primates including the bush baby, potto, baboons, chimpanzees and an exceptional variety of monkeys.

Boat rides and fishing on Lake Albert can be arranged so as to offer you a unique unequaled experience. These activities will enable you appreciate nature at its best. Other interesting areas are the Mungilo and Ngite falls plus the Semliki River which harbours hippos, crocodiles and vervet monkeys at its shores.

Also look out for the leopard, scaly tailed flying squirrel, elephant, buffalo and the pygmy antelope. Nature walks and a visit to see the pygmies at Ntandi can also be arranged.

Semliki Safari Lodge is the only accommodation option in this area. However, one can still visit the park and later drive and overnight at Mountains of the Moon Hotel or Fort Motel in Fort Portal.

The limited number of accommodation facilities in Semliki calls for private investors to think about putting up luxury lodges and campsites in the park and areas of Sempaya and Ntoroko.

For more information contact some of the Uganda’s tour operators such Abacus African Vacations on any of their various websites which include http://www.abacusvacations.com, http://www.ugandansafari.com,http://www.uganda-tours.com,http://www.ugandan-safari.com, http://www.uganda-safari.co.ug and Adventure Trails Limited on http://www.gorilla-safari.com and http://www.ugandansafaris.com/ who take pride in offering tourists and visitors a true Ugandan experience.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safari and Travel News reporter
Kampala Uganda

The tiny Island of Migingo located in the middle of Lake Victoria has sparked off a row between Kenya and Uganda. The two governments have now set up a joint border committee to verify where the one-acre island falls.

Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga and the East African Community (EAC) minister, Amason Kingi, are expected in Uganda this week in a bid to find a solution to the ownership row.

Kingi told a press conference in Nairobi on Saturday that the conflict was threatening the EAC, hence the need to urgently address the issue. The Kenyan minister further added that many fishermen on the island had fled for fear of being attacked by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, which he said had invaded the island.

Uganda’s foreign affairs ministry permanent secretary Ambassador James Mugume yesterday said the two countries had decided to keep the status quo on the island until the verification exercise was over.

East African affairs minister Eriya Kategaya met the Kenyan security minister last week and agreed that the status quo holds. He said that they have set up a joint team of technicians and surveyors to look at the maps and establish the borderline. He said that a ministerial meeting had been scheduled for March 13-14 to iron out the issue.

There was tension last week after Uganda sent more security personnel to guard the island. Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba told the weekly press briefing in Kampala that marine officials and anti-riot police were dispatched to the island on Thursday.

She said that Kenyan police officers attacked Migingo and threatened to take over (the island). They came with guns and an assortment of items that is why they sent marine officials and anti-riot police there. They quoted the Nyanza provincial commissioner, Paul Olando, as saying that Kenyan security personnel had gone to the island to follow up on some intelligence information we had received and this was not the first time we were sending them there.

Olando said the security personnel, who were later joined on the island by the Migori district commissioner, Julius Mutula, returned after a meeting with their Ugandan counterparts.

He denied reports that Kenyans had been detained by Ugandan forces, adding that there was no tension between the two countries over the dispute.

Kenya has formed a four-man inter-ministerial team led by lands minister James Orengo to address the issue.

Last year, Kenya and Uganda hired a mapping firm to survey the island. A report compiled by the company was last week debated by members of the East African Legislative Assembly in Rwanda.

Kenyan internal security minister George Saitoti said presidents Mwai Kibaki and Museveni were in talks to resolve the dispute.

Uganda Safari and Travel Guide News
Kampala Uganda

Over 500 Uganda’s cultural and natural sites are in danger due lack of appropriate laws, a senior tourism official has said. Sites like Wamala Tombs are crumbling. Others include Ntusi Mounds are being destroyed by encroachers.

Ntusi is an area formerly inhabited by the Bachwezi people who had migrated from Ethiopia before it was occupied by the Bantu and the Wamala Tombs is the old burial site for Kabaka Ssuna II of Buganda.

Rose Nkaale Mwanga, the acting commissioner of the department of museum and monuments in the tourism industry said the sites were facing danger due to lack of funds to maintain them, ignorance of the people neighbouring the sites, and land encroachment.

She further said the department had recorded 1,000 sites but only three had been registered with the World Heritage Sites. The sites are Kasubi Tombs, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Rwenzori Mountain Park.

Mwanga made the remarks last Wednesday during a sensitization workshop on conservation and management of cultural heritage properties in Uganda at the National Museum in Kampala.

She also said that they are in the process of registering Kibiro Salt Gardens in Hoima district but it is tedious and expensive.

The programme officer for the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Daniel Kaweesi, appealed to the Government to sensitize the masses about the importance of cultural sites and heritage.

“The Government has not given attention to culture and yet it is of great value. Culture is business nowadays and many countries earn a lot from it,” Kaweesi said.

He also urged the Government to put in place a law on the patent rights to cultural products like bark cloth.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safari and Travel Guide News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

The conflict stricken frontier between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo could possibly become home to more than 900 lions after a study finding the presence of prey to support these wild animals. For this to happen, researchers have warned conservationists to act soon in order to protect the big cats from being poached and poisoned by livestock herders.

The study comes in the wake of conservationists Adrian Treves, a study lead author of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and colleagues from Wildlife Conservation Society and the Panthera Foundation who conducted the research raising concerns over high lion Panthera Leo mortality and prey population declines in the area at the boundary between the two Great Lakes countries Uganda and Congo.

However, the researchers observed that confirming if threats to lions are severe or lion populations are disappearing requires extensive surveys on the ground because aerial detection of lions is inaccurate. Yet, ground surveys over large areas are unsafe or infeasible in the war-torn study area. They therefore used aerial surveys of medium- to large-bodied ungulate prey to estimate lion abundance in two adjoining parks of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and Parc National des Virunga in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Treves and colleagues who carried out the research wrote that they validated two approaches to predict lion abundance using total counts of lions from Uganda. From this, they predict the two national parks altogether could have held 221 lions in 2004 and they have the potential to hold 905 lions if prey recovers and lion-specific mortality is curbed. This makes the region a potential stronghold for the species in central Africa.

And basing on a recent one third decline in lion numbers in the Ugandan park and pervasive threats to the Congolese Park led the research team to recommend immediate conservation intervention for lions and their prey.

They wrote further wrote that they recommend focused action to protect lions from poaching and retaliation in Uganda, whereas in Congo, general enforcement of wildlife protection and a ground-based survey for lions are needed. Commenting on the study, Treves noted that while the conflict raging in D.R. Congo makes conservation efforts in that country’s Parc National des Virunga is nearly impossible right now, action can be taken in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

As a desperate attempt to protect their livestock, herdsmen have reportedly poisoned and shot predators in large numbers, stirring fears that the king of beasts may be driven to extinction in Uganda. But because these pastoralists have not traditionally killed lions, Treves is of the view they can be convinced to co-exist with the lions if given the appropriate incentives from conservationists.

We are providing a vision of what could be, said Treves. Uganda could maybe have a third of those 900 plus lions, and they are an incredible source of tourism revenue because they are the main reasons as to why foreign tourists come to Uganda to visit the national parks such as Queen Elizabeth national park and carry out activities such as game drives which they pay for in US dollars and hence foreign exchange is brought to the country. So we are hoping that is an incentive the government will respond to.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safari and Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

With effect from January this year, nationals of East African member states will be paying the same rates as their Ugandan counterparts to access the country’s national parks.

This development is to enable tourists from Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania pay a sum of Shs5, 000 as park entrance fees to any of national parks in Uganda. The UWA Executive Director, Mr. Moses Mapesa said that we are now moving towards having the East African Community as one destination for tourist attraction, therefore it is important that we also harmonize our charges at the regional level. Under the new arrangement, adults will be charged Shs5, 000 to enter natural and reserve national tourist sites while children will be charged Shs2, 500.

The tariffs for foreign nationals will also be reviewed from previously about $25 to $30 for adults and $15 for children. Mr Mapesa said UWA has an arrangement to provide passes for both foreign tourists and East African Community citizens at $50(about Shs98, 500).

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safari and Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

Queen Elizabeth National Park’s authorities in western Uganda and their counterparts from Queen Elizabeth Country Park in Britain on Wednesday signed a five-year memorandum of understanding. This took place at a function that was presided over by the Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr.  Philip Mani.

Speaking at the function at Mweya Education Centre, the manager, Queen Elizabeth Conservation area, Mr Tom Okello, said the agreement is aimed at promoting the two parks as tourist destinations. He said the two parks will exchange staff and share ideas. Mr Mani commended the existing relationship between the two countries.

Queen Elizabeth National park is Uganda’s notable safari destination for wildlife tours, chimpanzee tracking adventures, birding safaris etc. The 1978km2 Queen Elizabeth National Park enjoys a stunning location on the rift valley floor between Lakes Edward and George where a mosaic of habitats supports 95 mammal species and a remarkable 612 species of birds. Forty years ago, Douglas Willocks described the diverse features that led to its creation in 1952. There still exists no better introduction or a more enticing invitation to visit the park. Therefore this relationship will help boost Uganda’s tourism and increase on the tourist flow in Uganda.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safari and Travel Guide News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

The lush green vegetation reflects the dull evening sunrays. There are five buffaloes wallowing in the mud. In the sky are vultures hovering over the carcass. If lucky, you may stumble upon a lion having a meal of a warthog, but first things first.

The journey to Murchison Falls National Park starts early morning from Kampala.  By 2:00pm you are expected to be in Masindi the home of the famous Kabalega of the Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom. After a quick lunch you hit the road to Paraa which is the destination area. It takes five hours to reach the Nile River crossing at Paraa Safari Lodge, the heart of Murchison. The drive is made livelier by scores of baboons’ breastfeeding their babies on the road and the more daring ones making love oblivious of the passersby. A group of warthogs pass by showcasing their funny looking teeth the only feature distinguishing them from pigs. The warthogs are the lion’s most delicious meal.

As you continue admiring the beautiful scenery made lively by different birds pass by the first lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, and before long you are at Red Chilli camp, if you are to spend your nights in one of those lodges then you don’t have to cross the ferry but if you are to spend the night at Paraa Lodge then proceed to cross the ferry.

Murchison Falls National Park is bisected by River Nile and to access Paraa Lodge you cross using the ferry. Every time the ferry is busy with tour vans carrying tourists.You get to Paraa safari Lodge for dinner and an overnight.

The next day after breakfast, go for a boat ride upstream. You get onto one of the big boats named Kiboko (Swahili for hippos). At the boat cruise you meet the dominant animals on the river — hippos. In Alur, a local dialect, Paraa means the place of hippos (Pa-place and Raa hippos) before long the hippos are joined by the crocodiles basking in the sun with their saw-like teeth bared out. After a three-hour ride reach the foot of Murchison Falls. From a far you see the cloudy waters of the falls that give it a beautiful rainbow as water droplets are reflected by the sun rays.

After savoring the beauty of the falls, time for a game drive. After seeing a number of baboons and warthogs, you expect an encounter with giraffes. The giraffes are such majestic creatures; they have a catwalk that they must have copied from their swagger.

As the giraffes catwalk past, you also see the Uganda kobs, which have a habit of building their toilets on the roads; indeed you will find heaps of their dung everywhere.

As you cruise towards Packwach you will meet the most dangerous animals in the park the buffalo. Just a few metres away you may also see a herd of elephants so huge that our vehicles look like toy cars as the elephants move past them.

After admiring the Jumbos you may also see the tiny oribi. These are leopard’s easiest prey because they have tiny necks.

Early morning, which is also the last day at Murchison Falls National park, you come face to face with a leopard and that is when you have luck because leopards are hard rare especially during day.

After seeing the leopards you will agree with me that you would have had a nice trip and it is time to return home.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safaris and Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

There are three immigrant lions which have been found in Lake Mburo National Park in Mbarara. The lions include one male and two females which are suspected to have migrated from Sango Bay, near Lake Victoria.

The Chief Warden, Lake Mburo Conservation Area, Adonia Bimpora, said one female had a cub. He said that this may signal the return of the lions to Lake Mburo National Park after they were wiped out by nomadic pastoralist Bahima in the early 1980s. The cattle keepers in the past used to kill all the lions with the hope that the game park would be converted into grazing land for their cattle.

For the Uganda tour operators,this has been seen to them as a sign to boost their business since many lions will be expected to be seen by tourists during their wildlife safaris in Uganda and hence also boost the tourism industry in Uganda at large.

It is suspected that these lions that were seen in the park may have come from Akagera National Park in northern Tanzania. Migration of game between Mburo and Akagera game parks have been recorded in the past.

Besides lions, elephants and giraffes are some of the animals reported extinct in Lake Mburo National Park over the last couple of years.

The newly arrived lions will be radio-collared with the assistance of a research project and monitored to ensure their safety.

According to a researcher attached to Makerere University, Dr. Ludwig Siefart, lions are endangered in Uganda’s game parks, particularly Queen Elizabeth, yet they have been the back-bone of the country’s tourism for many years before being upstaged by mountain gorillas. He further attributed the sharp reduction in the lion population to poachers seeking lion skin for witchcraft purposes and pastoral communities avenging the loss of their cattle to the beasts.

Siefart attributed this predatory behaviour on the part of lions to human encroachment on protected areas, leaving small patches of land which are not enough for the wildlife to inhabit freely without encroaching on human communities.

Bimpora said that the Uganda Wildlife Authority has introduced a sensitization programme for local communities around the national parks to advise them on the benefits of co-existing with wildlife, particularly the importance of lions to tourism. The sensitization programme will help the locals to have love for tourism and help develop the tourism sites in Uganda.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safari and Travel News Reporter
Uganda Kampala

Relaxing in the public area of Silverback Lodge, Uganda’s only impenetrable forest, seems to under ones feet. Located in South Western Uganda, on the edge of the western rift valley, shared by Rukungiri, Kabale and Kisoro Districts.

The lodge situated on top of a hill commands a stunning view of a wide expanse of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to half the world’s mountain gorilla population.  The area has an annual temperature range: 7-20 degrees Celsius, its coldest period is June-July and annual precipitation: 1130 mm – 2390 mm

As Gorilla tourism gains momentum with the recent opening up of the Bitukura gorilla family to tourists, the hospitality industry also seems to be proportionally keeping the pace.

Silverback Lodge is the latest entrant in the hospitality industry in Bwindi. Opened in June 2008, the Silverback Lodge completes the dynamic circuit of the portfolio to eco-style living for gorilla tracking bound adventurers. The luxurious up market cozy lodge is perched on a hill overlooking the famous mostly misty Bwindi Impenetrable forest. The view is absolutely stunning.

Because of its location, high up, ones gets a feeling of having the forest under ones feet. In actual sense, the lodge is a great distance from the forest on an adjacent hill over looking the jungle of Bwindi.

The location makes it possible for visitors, using binoculars to view birds and primates from any of the rooms.

Bwindi national Park has 120 species of mammals including 7 diurnal primates and about 30 elephants. There are about 360 species of birds and over 200 species of butterflies. The afromontane forest that make the 331 square kilometers Bwindi National Park has dense under storey of fern, vines, shrubs.

About 324 tree species have been recorded here, 10 of which occur nowhere else in Uganda. All these can be sampled at a glance from the balcony of the Silverback Lodge. The lodge has seven rooms built next to each other that are designed using local materials, such as forest vines, sisal rope and purple slate stone. Each room has an ensuite bathroom (with hot water showers) and comfortable chairs on the verandas for viewing the forest and clouds that drift by in the valley.

The architectural design is simple and natural, with a flavour of organic architecture.

The restaurant has unique and creative menus. The dishes vary from local to international and in addition, there is the well stocked summit bar which is perfect venue for sharing the day’s adventures of gorilla-trekking, primate watching and bird viewing. And the large gardens are perfect for relaxing after a long day’s hike.

Majority of the locals are Bakiga and Bafumbira, constituting the most dense settlements in Uganda.

Accessibility is Kampala to Kabale the distance of 414 kilometers on tarmac road and takes six to seven hours. An additional 120 kilometers from Kabale to Buhoma Park Headquarters via Kanungu and Kanyantoorogo on Murram surface takes three or four hours and may require a 4WD vehicle. Kabale- Ruhija-Buhoma is 95 kilometers and takes about three hours.

This road is not used much by the public. A 4WD vehicle is recommended. There is also an air field in Butogota about 13km away from Silverback Lodge.

By Nakiboneka Halimah
Uganda Safari and Travel News Reporter
Kampala Uganda

The use of online marketing and management tools can boost Rwanda’s tourism industry if timely investments are made. The biggest contribution would come from posting information and content on websites regarding Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism.

A recent research carried out by On The Frontier (OTF) Group shows that internet is the major source of information on tourism in Rwanda and other East African Countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. 

Other sources of online marketing are specialized websites from different tour operartors and travel agencies in Rwanda,Uganda,Kenya and Tanzania, Rwanda embassies, travel magazines and official travel advisory.  There are an estimated 1.2billion internet users or more globally. Current forecasts suggest 1.5billion people will have internet access by 2012.

The fact that most tourists to Rwanda and East Africa as well consult the internet about their destination country, Rwanda is at the critical moment to heavily invest in infrastructure that will enable web access possible in order to build an online sustainable tourism. 

This, however will require infrastructural development, e-commerce, education and exposure to global practice, global relationships, innovation and vision.  

Damian Cook, managing director of E-tourism Africa, an online tourism promoting website says online activity has become habitual and practical, including shopping. Cook says that for the past three years, travel is now the best selling commodity with over US$110 billion turnover in online sales.

He estimates that over 70% of travelers obtain their travel information through online tourism and it increases their means of selecting, booking and buying.

He says Africa has accounted for 36million arrivals and US$24billion which is 4% of global tourism. However, an estimated less than 2% of Africa’s total consists of online sales. Cook explains African content can be difficult to find and access because of lack of e-commerce and inventory.  He says South Africa and Egypt which have invested in ICT and allowed e-commerce have started to do some business online.

Because of familiarity with the websites, users have started creating their own content without understanding computer programming.It is expected that users will have created 70% of the content on the web in three years. However, as information continues to flow on online community, filtering good and bad information becomes more difficult.

 A practical example is Kenya which was just recovering from an image of terrorist attacks on the US embassy and just entered into post-election violence. The same applies to Rwanda where her image is being painted dark by the war in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.With negative media spreading the world, it is hard to keep up the good image of a country which directly impacts its tourism sector.

Rwanda’s tourism industry has over the past 14 years been growing with increasing numbers of international tourists compared to locals. The industry is targeting US$148million receipts at the end of this year.  

With effect from January 2009, nationals of the East African Community will be paying the same amount as their Ugandan counterparts to gain access to utilities and services of Uganda’s national parks and game reserves. Kenyans, Tanzanians, Rwandans and people from Burundi will be paying UShs5, 000 for adults and UShs2, 500 for the children or the equivalents of those sums of money to visit any wildlife gazetted area in Uganda. 

However, the money paid will not cover all the park activities like mountaineering, gorilla tracking and chimpanzee habituation experiences amongst other activities that may be provided by national parks.

In Uganda,  wild life protected areas include Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Mgahinga National Park,  Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale National Park amongst others.
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the body responsible for managing the country’s protected areas, undertakes a biennial review of the entry and tourism tariffs with the aim of determining whether the tariffs correspond to the market forces and are in line with those charged by neighbouring countries.

Under the new tariff regime, the differences between Ugandans and the other East Africans has been removed and replaced by the category of East Africans under which Ugandans fall.

Children under the age of five years, students from Ugandan schools and honorary wardens will always receive free admissions to the protected areas. Students on educational trips must however carry valid identity cards and a letter from their school.

In addition to harmonising the fees charged on East Africans, UWA has offered a 50% discount from the 15th of December 2008 to the 15th of January 2009.  The Executive Director of UWA, Moses Mapesa said they had decided to offer the discount at this time of the year because it falls under school holiday time.
“We have decided to offer this discount because this is when most people are on holiday. We would like it if Ugandans and the East Africans took this opportunity because entry into the national parks is going to be UShs2500 (below $2) for all those people who have residence in the East Africa region,” he said. 

 Mapesa also said UWA provides annual entry permits to all protected areas for foreign residents and East African residents. An annual permit costs $50 for an individual, $75 for a couple, $100 for a family of four people with children not exceeding 15 years of age and $400 for corporate organisations providing entry for 10 people.
Foreigners resident in Uganda will now pay $20 for adults and the children below 15 years of age will pay $10. The foreign non-residents will, however, pay $30 for adults and $15 for children below 15 years.

Mapesa said that there was need to harmonise tourism tariffs in the East African region which has compelled them to act in this way. He said that they under took the measure after extensive consultations with other stakeholders in the region .
It is still unclear whether the other East African countries are also going to charge uniform fees to their nationals and the nationals from the other East African states.

UWA has also increased the tariffs for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park from $70 to $90 for foreign non-residents and from $50 to $70 for foreign residents. Citizens of East African countries will pay UShs60,000.
A single day for the chimpanzee habituation experience which involves spending 12 hours watching the chimpanzees feed, play, care for their young and construct nests will cost foreign non-residents $220, foreign residents $150 while the citizens of East Africa will pay $70.

Foreign non-resident persons are the people who come into East Africa exclusively as tourists and do not have any sort of residences while the foreign residents are the people currently residing in East African as expatriates or otherwise.

Gorilla tracking fees have also increased, gorilla tracking permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are now at $500 for the foreign non-residents, $475 for the foreign residents and UShs250,000 for East Africans. Ugandans too will pay Ushs250,000 up from the previous Ushs150,000.
In an attempt to attract more locals into the tourism sector, the UWA is encouraging people by reducing entrance fees this festive season, harmonising tariffs for East Africans and expanding points of accommodation at most of the major tourist attractions.

East African countries failed to agree on how to handle three major important issues: land ownership, free movement of people and permanent residence. Tanzania openly gave her stand – that there would be no land deal in the East African Community (EAC).

Tanzania’s Minister for East African Cooperation, Dr Deodorous Kamala said the just ended meeting held in Zanzibar did not agree on these three crucial issues. The meeting was attended by ministers and multi-sectoral committees within the EAC.

It was expected that the three issues would have been resolved by next month but now the matter has been extended to be discussed in March next year.

The obvious is that all the time, Tanzania has been against proposals put forward by its neighbours, Kenya and Uganda especially on land and free movement of the people.

Dr Kamala said that the majority of Tanzanians were against such proposals for fear that it may allow an influx of people who would come to Tanzania and grab land. He further said that the land was a very sensitive issue and that Tanzania is of an opinion that the issue is not supposed to be under discussion on the Common Market.

Tanzania was also against Identity Cards (IDs) to facilitate free movement of people in East Africa for fear that the IDs might be forged or manipulated.

Instead, Dr Kamala said, Tanzanians were of the opinion that let passports be in use because they were credible and recognized internationally.

 In another development, Tanzania has said that there was need to immediately set a mechanism on how to use the waters of Lake Victoria.

 Tanzania is accusing Uganda for using a lot of water from the lake than Kenya and Tanzania put together.

Plans to integrate countries belonging to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have been finalized. The executive secretary, Eng. Mahboub Maalim, said there is need to for free movement of people and harmonization of policies among member countries.

 He further said that all that is left to be done is political leaders is to approve the plan. Some border communities are already doing cross-border businesses.

He also said that Euros 1m (sh2.5b) had been earmarked for strengthening the system and staff will be hired on the basis of performance.

Maalim was recently speaking at the opening of the 8th meeting of the committee of permanent secretaries at the Speke Resort, Munyonyo. He called for the creation of an IGAD-based free trade area. In his speech, regional co-operation state minister Isaac Musumba said Uganda would support all attempts to revitalize IGAD.

He said the Government had made progress in disarming Karamajong pastoralists because of collaboration with neighbouring Kenya. He noted that efforts to disarm the Karamajong were initially problematic because they would disarm the Karamajong but the Pokot would cross from Kenya to raid them.

Musumba said through information sharing with Kenya there are coordinated measures to eliminate cattle rustling. As a result there are now very few guns involved in raids.

The Government has embarked on sensitizing Karamoja communities to grow upland rice as an alternative form of livelihood which would help them settle down, enabling the Government to offer social services like education, unlike the days when they were mobile, Musumba added.

Tree climbing lions found in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National park are among the perils facing thousands of Congolese refugees as they flee into neighbouring Uganda to escape a new upsurge of fighting.
The route leads through the rugged Virunga and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, prowled by a group of lions famed for hiding in trees, leopards and other dangerous beasts.

Katsuva Paluku, the head of a family of four that straggled into the refugee camp at Ishasha from Rutshuru in Democratic republic of Congo, said that two women vanished in the park. He also said that there is fear they might have been eaten up by the lions. When people move in small groups of three or four, the lions don’t pare them. What they always do is to wait for other groups of families and then walk in a big group of 30 or 40. Forces loyal to Congolese Tutsi rebel leader General Laurent Nkunda launched a new offensive in August, routing government troops and seizing swathes of territory in North Kivu Provinces. Although he said he would cease fire last month, his men have continued attacking Congolese and Rwanda’s 1994 genocide of Tutsis.

Scores of Congolese policemen are among more than 15,000 people who have fled across the Ugandan border in recent days. Atleast they have had vehicles to flee in and assault rifles to fend off any hungry animals.
The park ranger who fled to Ishasha said that its true some people have been attacked by lions but they have not been identified by names or even known the numbers yet.

Kimbla- Mantana Uganda has announced the opening of their newest lodge” The Engagi Lodge” in Bwindi, Uganda, Africa. The old tented camp has been replaced with a modern lodge in a breathtaking setting offering stunning views over the forest canopy.  The lodge is situated in a large tract of land contiguous with the Bwindi National Park, and runs from the main Buhoma road down to the Munyaga River.  The Engagi Lodge is ideally situated to be used as a base camp for gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park. Engagi means “gorilla” in Rukiga, the language spoken in and around Bwindi.

The lodge was built using a local workforce and local materials.  All of the staff have been employed from the surrounding areas, and have been trained on site.  Joseph, who has been the assistant manager at Lake Mburo Camp for a number of years, is currently managing the Engagi Lodge to ensure that it maintains the same level of service and standards that both tour operators and our clients have enjoyed at Lake Mburo.

The Main Lodge building is divided into 3 sections: a “rock” bar, the restaurant, and a large wooden verandah with a separate outdoor viewing platform.  The lodge building is large enough to cater for sizeable groups needing banqueting tables, but still allows smaller individual groups to spread out in the various different areas for privacy.  The lodge is open ended at the front, allowing a dramatic view of the National Park forest from every corner inside the building.

The main lodge is built entirely from rocks found in and around the site and eucalyptus trees, while the roof has been thatched using banana fiber sourced from local farmers.

In terms of food and meals, the lodge prepares a variety of 3 course meals, and all requirements (such as vegetarians and vegans) are catered to by our team of experienced Kampala trained chefs.

The lodge consists of just 8 en-suite cottages, evenly spaced out and hidden in the foliage.  Each cottage has either double or twin beds (complete with hot water bottles), a bathroom with flushing toilets, hot and cold running water.  All have private verandas where guests can enjoy their morning tea or coffee as they look out over the forest canopy. Electricity is supplied by solar power, with a backup generator.  Hot water is supplied by wood burning boilers; however we intend to install solar powered heaters in the future with the wood burners as backup.

The main Reception has been built up on the Buhoma Road, and we have a large and secure roadside car-park, both of these are a good distance away from the main lodge buildings.  Drivers can be accommodated in our permanent staff buildings.

Guests will be able to enjoy a number of private walking trails around the lodge and down to the river. They may also enjoy a visit to a number of functioning tea farms inside the site which are maintained by members of the community.

The Engagi Lodge offers classic accommodations in the Bwindi area.  Tour operators are welcome to book use of the accommodations for clients in support of their travel plans.  Individuals interested in staying with us are also welcome.

The opening of this new lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has added to an increase in the lodges that are found in, near and around the park. Some of these lodges and accommodation sites include budget and camping accommodation which are mainly occupied by the budget tourists who visit the park for gorilla tracking activities an example is Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp site. The park has also got high end accommodation such as Gorilla Resort- Bwindi This is an Intimate exclusive high end safari camp with a breath-taking view of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is located at Buhoma – Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla National Park on a Mountain side. Mantana Luxury tented Camps. This mat tented camp about 1 km outside the park boundary, faces a steep forested hill rustling with bird life. The self contained tents all have solar lighting, an eco-friendly toilet and a private veranda.

Volcanoes Bwindi Camp. This attractively low-key camp consists of several secluded self-contained standing tents, carved into individual clearings in the surrounding scrub. The restaurant and bar is on a wooden deck with a great view over the gallery forest on the park boundary. Half board accommodation costs and full board.

Gorilla Forest Camp which is owned by an up market safari operator. This fabulous tented camp is easily the plushest option at Bwindi.

Moderate accommodation sites are also there and these include Buhoma Homestead little more than a jumped-up local guest house, the Buhoma Homestead would feel extortionately priced any where else in the country at around USD 60 per person full board for a self contained single/ double with hot water. But it’s a fair compromise between cost and comfort at Bwindi with a friendly atmosphere and an attractive location within the park boundary.

Buhoma Community Bandas and Campsite:This attractive complex is set in wooded grounds in a slope facing a forest gallery immediately inside the park entrance gate. Camping is permitted at USD 3 per person. No visitation fee is needed for staying here unless you go on a walk into the park. Basic meals can be ordered for in advance at a cost of USD 3. Drinks are also available.

Bwindi Travellers Motel Butogota: Located in the middle of Butogota trading center 15 kms for Bwindi Park HQS.

Bwindi-View Bandas & Gorilla Nest Campsite:Situated directly opposite the community camp site, this private set up is considerably cheaper, with stunning views of virgin forest opposite and nestled away on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Bookings can be made through the National Park information office in Kabale.

Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite is located in a beautiful swath of the world renowned Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

The tourism sector in Kenya is about to recover from the destruction of post election violence 10 months down the line with a reduction of 30 per cent in earnings in the third quarter of the year compared to the same period last year. The earnings stood at KSh34.5 billion compared to the KSh49.2 billion registered over the same period last year.

Ong’ong’a during the release of the sectors third quarter results noted that the post election violence and the after effects have adversely affected revenues to the sector. The sector has lost some Sh14.7 billion as compared to what was achieved over the same period last year. This is despite an estimated KSh350 million having been used in recovery efforts mostly on marketing and advertising in key source markets such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

 Kenya Tourist Board Managing Director Dr. Ong’ong’an Achieng continued to say that the recovery efforts will go on until the end of 2009 with the hope that the government will honour its pledge to increase funding to the sector by another Sh1 billion this financial year. In order for tourism in Kenya to get back to its standards and meet the other East African Countries take an example of Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.

 The recovery programmes are expected to run until the end of 2009 and we expect through this process to reach the 2007 levels. The results still reveal a 30 per cent drop in consolidated tourist arrivals for the last nine months with the figure standing at 939,791 compared to 1.3 million over the same period last year. This was however a six per cent edge improvement against the second quarter.

The global tourism market has been seriously battered by the prevailing high fuel prices that heightened the cost of travel against a background of unstable financial markets and rising inflation levels.

High fuel prices for a significant part of the year increased the cost of air travel reducing the demand of long haul destinations from the major source markets. These factors also reduced the level of importance of travel in terms of priorities to an extent.

In terms of international arrivals by air and sea, the sector recorded a 36.6 per cent decline standing at 496,056 compared to the 782, 690 registered over the same period last year. Almost all the arrival categories registered a major decline compared to 2007 with the holiday segment dipping by 55 per cent while the business segment registered a 20.9 per cent drop. Cross boarder arrivals closed at 443,735 compared to 565,191 during the same period in 2007.

Exhibitors of handicrafts were the most organised and impressive at the just concluded Uganda Manufacturers Association trade fair at Lugogo. Most of the handicrafts exhibitors were from neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania with a handful from Uganda and Rwanda.

 Besides being the first set of exhibitors to put their stalls in order, they managed to put together beautiful handmade products from different areas in the region. Some of the products on exhibition were ornaments and other goods of aesthetic value.  Most of the ornaments are locally made from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda using precious stones, bark clothes and cowries shells among others.

 Handmade items such as necklaces, bracelets, ear rings, wallet and handbags were among the most popular products. Such ornaments are very much liked and treasured by tourists who visit Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. The tourists usually find these handicrafts at tourist destinations when they come to East Africa, these are locally made by the people living in surrounding communities near national parks. In Uganda, take an example of the Bigodi Women Group in Kibale National Park where tourists enjoy chimpanzee tracking safaris and birding safaris at Bigodi Swamp as well as nature walks. The ornaments have a mixture of different precious stone and shells that can only be found in areas where there are rivers and seas in the region.

 Although the handicraft exhibitors were not in the main exhibition hall, they managed to register one of the most impressive attendances by the show goers because there crafts are not only admired by the foreigners (tourists) but also the locals too.

 “We have not really made big sales but most of the show goers are impressed by our creativity and generally admired our product and to me as business person that is not too bad,” Ms Gorrety Nakku, a Ugandan handicraft exhibitor said.

 Ms Nakku added that, “Few years ago our products were considered backward by our own people and we heavily depended on tourists for livelihood but now the locals are slowly embracing our products,” Ms Nakku 

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) will run three business days for exhibitors and show goers and tourists during the UMA trade fair.

 Ruth Musoke, the PSFU director for member service, said that the business days would be part of the parallel business meeting events that will be held during the trade fair at the UMA Main Conference Hall.

The days would involve business seminars, talks and demonstrations aimed at exposing exhibitors, show goers and the general public to new business ideas and technology improvement. She further added that the business days are meant to expose the public to new innovations and business ideas, new technologies and technology improvement, product design and development, business partnerships and joint ventures, marketing of industrial products and market development.

Musoke explained that the business days are open to the general public from 9.00am to 5.00pm and the attendance is free for all and no need for pre-registration.

She added that the initiative would be an annual event pararell to the trade fair as a way of continued support to local business people to make more competitive both locally and international.

Musoke explained that last year’s Uganda International Trade Fair attracted over 817 exhibitors from 31countries with over 170,000 show goers. She said this year 900 participants from over 30 countries were registered.

The President of Uganda President Yoweri Museveni is expected to open the fair on October 10^th 2008.

The Chairman of the Trade Fair James Kalibbala said the trade fair would be held under the theme ‘Linking production to prospective markets through value-addition’.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is making plans to strengthen security at Entebbe International Airport which is the international airport of Uganda. This is the main entry and exit point of the country. All people arriving and leaving Uganda  for example tourists, business people, heads of state use this airport.

According to the aviation authority’s website, CAA has called for the supply of security screening equipment.

Security has become a major consideration for aviation authorities around the world following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Countries have had to upgrade their security equipment to ensure safety at the airports.

The procurement be will done using the open international bidding process which is open to all bidders ‘from eligible source countries.’

Bid documents can be inspected from the office of the procurement manager at the CAA headquarters in Entebbe.

They cost sh100, 000 or $60 from the CAA cash office at Entebbe airport terminal building. Bidders must have a bid security of $7,400 (sh12m). The deadline for submission of the bids is November 18 at 10:30am. They will be opened in the boardroom on the same day.

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) launched a new drive to promote wildlife conservation and local tourism. The campaign is targeting the youth mainly and is aimed at popularizing Uganda’s rich wildlife heritage among students.

Eunice Nyiramahoro, the director of tourism and business development, declared last week that the authority is hoping to reach the more than 30,000 students at Makerere University alone. She said this while speaking during the close of a two-week sensitization outreach at the institution.
Nyiramahoro said UWA has already put incentives in place to attract students to Uganda’s national parks. She said some of the incentives include free entry for students with valid identity cards.

During the function, more than 2,500 students, visited the stalls and got copies of Uganda games posters and CDs.
The climax of the day was a raffle won by Judith Dushimimana, a second year student of Psychology for a three-day tour of Murchison Falls Game Park.
Nyiramahoro asked the Government to give incentives to the industry to allow easy access to the parks.

She noted out that people are constrained because they believe that the tour companies are expensive and meant for only white tourists or foreigners, the tourism ministry should work on ways to make the national parks accessible to the locals. This will help[ develop tourism in Uganda and the neighbouring communities around the parks and other tourism sites at large.

There is need to put more infrastructure in tourism sites such as lodges in the national parks that are not too expensive to attract more local tourists. She regretted that many locals believe that the national parks were only for white tourists and they are frequently visited by the whites.