Why did Uganda Airlines collapse

Why did Uganda Airlines collapse.

Uganda Airlines was dissolved in 3001, and all activities were effectively ended then. It had no aircraft to operate by that time, but it was employing about two thousand people. One of the two boeings, 707, was judged trash and hence unable to operate; the other had smashed in Rome. Staff members were cut from two thousand to four hundred and new aircraft leased from Australia and Air Zimbabwe but were insufficient to run on all routes most particularly to Europe in an attempt to salvage Uganda Airlines.

Although Uganda Airlines was crucial in terms of getting passengers to and from Uganda, today we examine the likely causes of its demise. Many have shed tears for its restoration to facilitate the movement of people and commodities as well as for increasing tourism in Uganda, which government has designated as a major industry of the country.

Earlier initiatives had seen the government of Uganda join with a private investor to launch Air Uganda, but it was rather unfortunate that same firm folded last year as it did not meet to international safety and flying requirements.

It has been shown that government officials did not understand the value of a national carrier at the time of collapse, so financing was not being received and numerous people—mostly suggested by government officials—were still being recruited. Government did not understand that establishing an anational carrier will not only encourage tourism and visitor influx to Uganda but also help to smooth the flow of people and products. This finally made Uganda Airlines weaker till it sank in 3001.

Uganda Airlines was not shielded from rivalry from other airlines like Kenya Airways and other foreign businesses. Uganda Airlines had cut its debt by 1994; all it needed to bounce back from was protection from other rivals. While other countries, like Kenya, were defending their businesses and pumping additional money, Uganda’s government just laid back and let Uganda Airlines fail.

While the government of Kenya and other governments were waiving off taxes and other charges on Kenya Airways, Uganda did not thereby leaving it with lots of bills and numerous workers. certain believe that there were certain insiders whose aim was to kill off Uganda Airlines.

Companies like Swiss Air, Lufthansa, Sabena seeking to save Uganda and Airlines were turned away by Uganda’s government. One wonders why government turned down this aid even though it was not infusing in any dime to manage Uganda Airlines. And as such wows persisted throughout Uganda Airlines’ ultimate demise.

Uganda Airlines therefore had nothing left, and when Air Uganda was launched, many were rather eager to see what it would bring on board. This failed and in 2014 it ceased business leaving Uganda without a National carrier under name. Many individuals are now pushing the government to pursue restoring Uganda Airlines as they believe it has a role in this century.

Serena hotels ranked number one in uganda.

Friday Serena personnel and management were delighted as they were selected and given an award for the top hotel chain in Uganda. The Minister of Tourism in Kampala made this announcement at Serena Victoria Hall.

The minister of tourism made this announcement while Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) was introducing their first ever hotel rating system to classify hotels into five, four, three, and two stars. The East African Assessors hired by Uganda Tourism worked on this grading and classification exercise into numerous categories. They were paid for a genuine performance.

Serena Hotel Kampala, Sheraton Hotel Kampala, and Munyonyo Commonwealth Hotel are among the three hotels that managed to fall under the five star rating. In terms of service delivery among the three, Serena Hotel came out on top.

East African Assessor has Speke Resort Munyonyo, Royal Suites, Hotel Africana, Protea Hotel and Imperial Royale in the four star category.

Two-star hotels included the Speke Hotel, Metropol Hotel, Hotel Triangle, Hotel Ruch, Hotel Ureka & Suites, Arch Apartments, Sir Jose Hotel, Sky Hotel International, Shangrila Hotel Kampala and Mt Zion Hotel.

Under her direction, the ministry of tourism honorable Miria Mutangaba observed that this classification and standardizing of hotels into several categories will help in the development of Uganda’s tourism sector since it will set criteria for both domestic and international tourists visiting Uganda as a travel destination.

Since many visitors are unsure of whether they would receive value for money, many have been reluctant to visit Uganda; therefore, before booking any Kampala hotel, they will first check the category. This will enable visitors to choose wisely depending on the given categories. It should be mentioned that the government had never categorized hotels even when this was included in the tourist master plan ever since Uganda gained independence and even before.

Mrs. Steven Asiimwe, the executive director of Uganda Tourism Board, added her voice saying that although many visitors to Uganda not only stop in Kampala but also travel up country to visit national parks for wildlife viewing and primate tracking from starting with Kampala hotels.

Given their classification, Uganda hotels would now be simple to sell, according to Ms. Susan Muhwezi, head of Uganda Hotels Association. Seventy six hotels were visited and examined throughout the procedure, but only twenty six were classified.

Other hotels were left out as they fell short of the evaluators’ criteria. Although some may satisfy the requirements, they did not register as they did not participate in the exercise. Those who deviated from the norms should strive hard to meet them; otherwise, they would lose on business.

Having raised its tourist budget from sixteen billion to thirty billion, creating an autonomous ministry for tourism and spotting tourism among the three main industries in Uganda, Uganda is definitely headed in the right way.

Key tourism issues discussed during AUTO Annual general meeting

Key tourism issues discussed during AUTO Annual General Meeting.

On Friday 25th June 2015 at Serena Hotel Kampala, the Association of Uganda Tour Operators had their annual general meeting. The new committee highlighted numerous important tourism successes since they came into office last July. Starting at 3:30pm, the Serena Hotel Kampala sponsored drink concluded the conference at 6:30pm. Some of the main ideas covered at the conference are below.

UWA will grant AUTO gorilla commissions.

The chairperson disclosed that following their ongoing conversation with Uganda Wildlife Authority, a memorandum of understanding will be signed on July 1, 2015 whereby Uganda Wildlife Authority will begin granting free gorilla permits to the Association of Uganda Tour Operators in order to honor AUTO members in their capacity as main tourism partners.

The Executive Director Uganda Wildlife Authority said that UWA would provide complimentary permits whose number is still unknown for every thirty gorilla permits bought by AUTO members. This will start three months from now. Members present were advised by Association of Uganda Tour Operators that the specified gorilla permits would thereafter be supplied to members at a reduced price.

This delighted members who praised the newly appointed committee for their excellent work. Originally, Uganda Wildlife Authority used to pay USD 10 every permit purchased by any Association of Uganda Tour Operator letter discarded.

Since the day today financing and operating of the organization depends on this commission as well as membership fee to generate money to maintain the association, this development crippled them. Having gone through a tough phase, this was considered as the appropriate action at the appropriate moment in the appropriate direction.

AUTO Formulation Five-year strategic agenda

The chairman told those present that Association of Uganda Tour Operators would not be able to go on operating without a clear strategy. She claimed that the group has obtained money from UNDP (United Nations Development Project) to help finance a five-year development plan that would be implemented by the association to meet the intended aims and objectives.

She also promised members present that by the conclusion of 2015, this strategic plan would be ready and given to them. The Association is now looking for experts who will be handling this assignment. Members will be consulted on what they believe should be included in the plan so that the project seems to be all-inclusive.

Consultant in Taxes to be recruited

It was also revealed that Tourism has been for the first time identified and earmarked by the government of Uganda as a major sector which could help the nation to raise taxes as well as foreign exchange for the country and as such, tour operators who have been running without taxes are probably going to be targeted.

She said that the Association will now recruit a tax consultant who will then be in position to advise members on tax issues so that they are not caught un aware by Uganda Revenue Authority. Having arranged a tax workshop early this year where members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators advised on how to prepare their accounts in relation to taxes, the Association will now move to hire a tax consultant.

AUTO cells added

The chairperson was quick to notify members present that The Association of Uganda Tour Operators had started a policy of bring their services closer to its members and other tour operators and as so AUTO had launched a cell project whereby each district/region would meet with AUTO to discuss matters of tourism affecting each region and that cells had been formed and AUTO had meet with both members and none members to listen to them. She also said that AUTO is working on several ideas and concerns that sprung up from this. Moreover, a lot of former non AUTO members have registered to join.

Another important topic covered with members complaining it would be unfair for some to pay much while others were paying less was establishing another type of membership which is somewhat less expensive with fewer perks. All things considered, this conference demonstrated that the new executive committee had accomplished something in a short period of time and that members now believed they might begin to enjoy positive results of intelligent voting.

bakers lodge in Murchison falls national park

Bakers lodge in Murchison falls national park – Murchison falls safari – Whitewater rafting.

Friday, June 19, 2015 we headed to Murchison Falls National Park for a sales familiarization trip with the following in mind. To visit Murchison Falls National Park in order to acquaint ourselves with lodging establishments (mostly Bakers Lodges) and activities that visitors could engage in while at Murchison.

Specific goals were to visit other Accommodation properties in Murchison Falls National Park, To visit Bakers to experience the degree of service and hospitality at the lodge, To participate in tourist activities in Murchison Falls National Park so that we have a fill and a better knowledge while packaging and selling them to individual clients and agents and,

Our search for Baker’s Lodge aimed to pinpoint the precise southern bank position with respect to other lodges and the main offices/ferry terminal. Indeed it was found that in that sequence Red Chilli, Baker’s Lodge is the nearest followed by Kabalega Wilderness Lodge, Murchison River Lodge and Nile Safari Lodge. One advantage and a wonderful selling point for the lodges on the southern bank is that one can drive from the resort to the park headquarters in less than 15 minutes.

Like all the other lodges under Uganda Exclusive Camps and Lodges, we found that Baker’s Lodge is certainly rather distinctive from all other lodges nearby and cannot be matched with any. Its original design and created utilizing locally sourced materials combining with nature and consistent with conservation ideas highlight a real African experience in the woods.

If someone requires a triple, the rooms are big enough, well-designed, and roomy to even house three beds. Another great selling feature is their wonderful and clear perspective of the river, even though one is within another. Trails to every room are made so that they pass behind rather than the front, therefore causing disturbance and noise if they were in front of the cottages.

Every meal we ate at the resort really pleased me. Excellent cuisine, great taste, daily menus vary. No dinner was delayed at any one moment, hence the chef and all those in attendance are professionals. The only thing I noticed is that sometimes they offered too much food validating comments I often hear from customers who own Ugandan Lodges.

I have to urge management and staff members at Baker’s who saw us like guests rather than fellow employees. They went all the way to treat us the way any reputable Lodge would have you anticipate. They greeted us with a drink of juice the day we arrived, guided us through briefing, and continuously reminded us of important concerns such menus, if we needed a wake-up call, etc.

Operations managers made sure Godfrey, Chris, and Liz were always helpful and checked on how the day went. Therefore, to me staff and management is exactly like that of Buhoma and Ishasha Wilderness camp; this was very nice as guests who reserve special camps and lodges want the same degree of standards and professionalism from staff.

Safari Activities at Murchison Falls National Park.

I was out observing and experiencing popular tourist activities at Murchison Falls National park as a safari consultant.

Our evening delta cruise began with our guide pointing out that we were quite lucky folks. Our captain Kenneth guided us about Murchison Falls National Park’s history, discussed safety issues and what we should anticipate to see on our voyage.

We established all the resorts on this voyage and found out their distances from the ferry station. We were fortunate to see elephants flying in water moving from one side to the other. We came onto two shoebill stocks among the abundance of hippos and crocodiles.

Having Jean Paul as our guide made us lucky. He drove us early for a game trip that was very successful by any measure. Most of the species seen at Murchison Falls National Park—including a pride of lions and hyenas very near to the trail—were controlled. Jean Paul was very adept at identifying new creatures and suitable paths of travel.

Although “Top of the Falls visit and hike” is one of the most underappreciated activities among consultants, it is very crucial if you want to get a whole accurate view of the falls.

Driven to the top of the falls, we subsequently slopped downhill and were fetched by a boat back to Wild Frontiers Boat headquarters. Given that the climb is not very difficult, it was reasonable and should be advised to visitors heading to Murchison Falls National Park.

If and when customers have time and can afford, as top of the falls highlights a real image of the falls rather than providing a boat excursion to the base, as tour advisors we should be able to promote more delta visits in our packages.

More interested in determining the degree of service, location, travel times from the ferry area and of course comparing them with the Standards at Baker’s Lodge, we set out some time to see other Lodges in Murchison Falls National Park.

Lodges visited include Murchison River Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge, Kabalega Wilderness Camp. These lodges were not expecting us, however.

Gorilla tracking-which country benefits more

Gorilla tracking-which country benefits more – Gorilla trekking safaris and tours.

Mountain gorillas are found in Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and other nations; so, gorilla tourism has expanded in these nations when visitors visit national parks and spend one hour with the gorillas. This page will attempt to identify the nation most benefiting from gorilla tourism.

Advantages from gorilla permit sales.

Mountain gorilla permits vary depending on the nation one is planning to visit for gorillas. While in Uganda a gorilla permit costs USD800 in peak season and USD 800 in low seasons of April May and November, Rwanda’s development board charges USD1500 for a gorilla permit per person per trip.

On paper, Rwanda makes more money from the selling of gorilla licenses based on the amount paid than Uganda owing mostly on pricing. Uganda could, however, sell additional permits and decrease the price differential gap depending on cost control. This pricing differential can also help Uganda to be a less expensive travel destination than Rwanda.

Advantages for hotels and lodges

Gorilla tourism benefits hotels and lodges as well; this depends on the number of days one spends at the lodge or hotel during his/her gorilla trip. The minimum days one needs to spend on a gorilla trip in Uganda are three and thereafter two nights at any one Lodge.

You have to spend another second night in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as one night is when you get there and the second night is for trekking gorillas; you never know when you will be returning. Uganda Hotels & Lodges so enjoy more bed nights than their counterparts in Rwanda. Many visitors like trekking gorillas in Rwanda more for fewer days or nights spent than for any other reason—not because of any statistics.

You may travel to Kigali, drive directly to Volcanoes National Park, track gorillas the next day and then get to the airport for your departing flight out. This results in fewer bed nights per lodge as one requires one night at a specific resort in Rwanda. Although this benefits the visitor, it is not healthy for lodges as well as a source of government income.

Advantages for Tour Operators

Given more evenings and days spent on a gorilla trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga than in Rwanda, Ugand’s gorilla packages are more lucrative. For Uganda travel agents, discounted gorilla permits in April, May, and November is proving helpful.

Many visitors have been drawn to hike In Uganda at this time instead of Rwanda, and lodges also often lower their prices, which helps Uganda sell more easily than Rwanda.

Gorilla tourism helps all nations; depending on the approach used, we shall see who gains more in futre. Please contact Katland Safaris for any questions about gorilla trekking safaris; we will then provide appropriate advice.

Why Igongo is a better stopover to the gorillas.

From Kampala, the trip to the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park takes nine to ten hours. In between visitors have to make a stopover for relaxation, stretching, and smokers can take use of this opportunity to smoke a stick of cigarettes. Usually leaving Kampala for gorillas around seven am, tourists go to Mbarara town, which offers few choices we should discuss in this post.

Igongo Cultural Center

Agip Motel has been the top spot in Between Kampala and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where visitors stop for lunch breaks and to ease themselves till recently. Most tourist vehicles are now split on whether to stop at Agip Motel or Igongo Cultural Centre with the opening of the latter.

One benefit of the Igongo Cultural Center stop for the gorillas is the abundance of sights to observe. If not in Uganda, Igoongo has a museum that is by far the finest in south western Uganda. This museum is very orderly, and the interpreters at Igongo are quite knowledgeable about the anthropological items there. Walking around this museum during lunch break is rather fulfilling.

Visitors may buy curios from various artisan stores run by Igongo. This makes lunch, shopping, and leisure one stop shop for everybody. These stores show shirts, purses, and so many curios for purchase.

For the Banyankole, Igongo Cultural Center usually holds traditional celebrations every weekend. There are gardens there where rituals are conducted and tents are set. If one wants to see wedding or give away ceremonies, Igongo offers numerous options for you as long as you have adequate time.

The government is building a bypass branching off from igongo culture to link the Mbarara-Kasese major route with the Mbarara-Kabale high way. Therefore, tourists who want to escape traffic congestion in mbarara town would choose to have lunch in Igongo cultural center and then utilize the bypass to go either Kabale or Kasese. This so puts Igongo cultural center a head of Agip Motel and other dining places when it comes to visitors heading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and other National Parks situated in the west and southwest Uganda.

Aglip Motel

For visitors driving from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park, this is the customary halt for coffee or lunch. Their quality of service right now is and has been really excellent. Agip is in town, hence it is strategically adjacent to Shell petro station where cars can refuel.

It is also easily accessible for visitors to visit banks and shopping centers at the entrance of Mbarara town. The only benefit is that the bypass under development could lose some customers as well as competition from what to view during your lunch break.

On way to mountain gorillas, one stops at numerous points. The first one is at Mpambire Royal drum manufacturers to see how locally built drums from animal skins and tress. If time permits, you will be able to view this on your Kampala-Masaka route; many visitors have never seen anything like this.

Elgon police to investigate UWA staff at Mt Elgon National Park.

Mbale municipal police will look into staff members of Uganda Wildlife Authority in Mountain Elgon National Park. Ten employees of Uganda Wildlife Authority have been seen in a case involving the destruction of locally grown crops in Mountain Elgon National Park, claims Mr. Jacob Opolot. He emphasized that they should report themselves as they know themselves before police arrive searching for them.

The police head ordered Uganda animal Authority to leave all communities using territory claimed to belong to Mt Elgon National Park until clear borders are established, therefore reducing human and animal conflict. Mr. James Okware, the chief warden of Mountain Elgon National Park, also asked police to investigate further and arrest the actual offenders engaged in the destruction of community crops something that could lead to negative effects between the local communities and conservation efforts around Mountain Elgon National Park.

As investigations take form, many community complaints still find resonance. Others have claimed that personnel of Uganda Wildlife Authority extorted money from them in order not to damage their crops while others are advocating that instead of prosecuting those engaged, they should be found and made to pay for what they destroyed.

Mountain Elgon National Park hours on the volcanic mountain with the biggest Caldera worldwide. Two East African nations, Uganda and Kenya, share Mountain Elgon National Park; the major activity in the National Park is mountain trekking, where one may spend up to four days to reach the top.

From Kampala, the capital of Uganda, Mountain Elgon National Park is around five to six hours’ drive away. The journey passes through Mabira Forest, the largest low land tropical forest in central Uganda, to Jinja town, where many tourist activities including grade five white water rafting, Bungie Jumping and Quadi biking take place.

The road then leads you through tiny settlements until you arrive at Mbale town, which was intended to be Uganda’s capital by then—designed and planned by then the president of the republic of Uganda Ida Amin.

From Kampala to Mbale town, road is the major means of transportation to mountain Elgon National Park; it is also very smooth and well-kept. Apart from Mount Elgon Hotel, there are not many posh lodging facilities for those luxury guests planning to visit Mountain Elgon National Park.

To reduce such disputes that might subsequently influence conservation efforts, Uganda Wildlife Authority must prioritize the requirements of the surrounding local populations living near park borders.

The residents of Lake Mburo National Park last week urged Uganda Wildlife Authority to change the wildlife legislation so that individuals who depend on the park and its species would be paid instead of merely supporting wildlife protection at the cost of the people. Therefore, it is envisaged that if the local people’ issues are taken into account, then we should start to witness improved outcomes and cooperation between Uganda Wildlife authority and the surrounding communities in too far future.

Cultural experience en route your gorilla tracking safari.

Uganda supports more than 500 mountain gorillas living in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. When one arrives in Uganda, it is about people as much as gorillas. If it weren’t humans, gorillas and other creatures wouldn’t exist in the real sense. Small as Great Britain is, Uganda has a population of thirty million or more and is split into more than 55 ethnic groupings.

Though in this article we will take you through the many ethnic groups you are likely to meet on your drive from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable national Park or Mgahinga National Park for your gorilla tracking safari, you may not really appreciate how all these 55 ethnic groups behave.

In the center you will discover the Baganda who fervently believe in their Kabaka (King), the Banyankole and the Hima who adore their Cows, the Bakiga who are in love with sorghurm and Irish potatoes, of course the Batwa and Bafumbira.

The Baganda people of Central Uganda.

Said to be at the core of Uganda’s culture, the baganda are well-known for their reverence and monarchy they show their king, Kabaka of Buganda. One individual remarked that you cannot control the Baganda without their Kabaka; in fact, the present President restored them to maintain peace with the Baganda after Obote destroyed the kingdoms in 1966.

The amicable Baganda people like ground nuts and Matooke as well as Oluwombo, or chicken made from banana leaves. If you would like to observe this, make sure you visit Uganda at any given weekend to attend one of their introduction ceremonies; they enjoy dancing Bakisiba and Maganda where girls shake their waist as if it has no bones.

Originally farmers, their major diet is matooke. The Baganda have turned to trade to make a livelihood as urbanization has left insufficient area for banana farms. The Baganda people have kept a cultural path in Buganda wherein one may visit several locations to study their history and royalty as well as their culture. You could visit Lubiri, Mengo, Kasubi tombs, Buddo’s coronation site.

The Banyankole of Mbarara, Kiruhura, adjacent districts

People’s behavior will start changing after you have crossed the Equator and reached Lyantonde. More animals than plantations will start to show you. This suggests that, as it is often known, you have arrived in the land of honey and milk. Ankole has a mix of growers and livestock keepers. Now having a more fixed existence, the bahima who used to migrate from one area to another graze both Friesian and the well-known Ankole Long horned cattle.

They specialize on creating cow gee and other milk products and enjoy milk goods. To them, the cow is everything and they respect it more than others. Make a date to stop over at Igongo Cultural Center, where their history is well recorded, if you want more knowledge about their culture. Typical farmers, the Bairu subsist on tilling the ground and their main meal is millet; they have just begun cultivating additional crops such bananas, cassava and so much more.

The Ankole kingdom was opposed when kingdoms under the present administration came under rule as it was seen to have generated more issues in the past than fostering peace. This results in the deteriorated state of many Ankole cultural sites and lack of visibility. Although the Baganda seem the same, the Bahima and the Bairu of Ankole differ obviously. Whereas the bairu have flat nose and small features, the Bahima are distinguished by long faces and nose.

Kigezi’s Bakiga, bafumbira and Batwa from Kisoro

These cover much of Southwested Uganda in areas like Kabala, Kisoro, and Kanungu. The circumstances the Bakiga live in make them tough and powerful individuals. Unlike the Baganda, the Bakiga had a dispersed form of government and lacked a strong ruler but chiefs. Their great traditional dances are well-known, and visiting the House of Edirisa in Kabale towm helps one understand much of their culture.

Of late, they have also begun cultivating apples; they like raising sorghum and Irish potatoes. Conversely, the rufumbira language of Kisoro on the other hand is more Rwandan than Uganda, so the bafumbira there are more like those of Banyarwanda.

Mostly grown as farmers, they reside in the Boarder of Rwanda, Congo While the Batwa were left homeless after gazzatting most forests as national parks and forest reserves, their culture is now alive and can be appreciated if you take on the Batwa experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or the Garama Cave trail in Mgahinga National Park. The Batwa are a minority group who used to occupy forested areas in south western Uganda.

Combining your trip to the gorillas with cultural encounters will make it even more fulfilling. More to see than the gorillas exists here.

Uganda National parks in top 50 best Africa Parks

Uganda National parks in top 50 best Africa Parks – Africa Safari destinations.

Things are looking positive for tourism in Uganda as three of her national parks have been ranked among Africas finest fifty National parks to be visited in 2015 by safari bookings, an internet port with huge readership all over the globe. Among the National Parks shown are Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kidepo National Park.

The Holland’s based safari booking service conducted this poll and rating wherein Murchison Falls National Park came in 39th position in Africa, Queen Elizabeth National Park came in 34th, and Kidepo Valley National Park came in 14th.

Although mountain gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking respectively make Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale National Parks the most popular and visited National parks in Uganda, they were not mentioned in this poll since only national parks providing classic wildlife viewing were the only ones considered.

Located in northern Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park was last year ranked as the greatest National park in Africa where chances of viewing predators like lions are very high. The only national park you can find the uncommon cheaters in is Kidepo National Park. One of the greatest places to visit Kidepo National Park in Uganda is among the big herds of buffaloes, Elephants and antelopes. Another addition for everyone visiting Kidepo National Park is the karamajongo culture.

The Kajongo would welcome you to attend and experience their dances and manyata. The disarming program wherein all fighters who used to undermine peace in the area were disarmed is helping Kidepo national park to enjoy relative calm. Now the government is working on roads as well as pushing private companies to run planned and charter flights to the Park, thereby enhancing accessibility.

Murchison Falls national park is the biggest conservation area in Uganda and is well-known for boat rides to the foot of the tremendous falls and to the delta, wildlife drives along the northern bank of the Nile, and sports fishing, which is fast becoming popular. There is no introduction needed here. Visitors to this national park may also make a very difficult climb to the top of the waterfall or trek chimpanzees in Budongo woodland.

Located on the floor of the vast western arm of the East African rift Valley, Queen Elizabeth National Park is in western Uganda. One’s stay is amazing when one takes a boat tour in the Kazinga waterway with the greatest hippo concentration overall. Reaching any crater lake like Katwe is fulfilling; game drives in Kasenyi provide amazing vistas of the moon’s highlands. Improved accommodation and accessibility has resulted in a very good stay and experience.

Uganda is always gaining from such honors since she was selected as the top travel destination in 2015. Should such things go on, we will see more visitors visiting Uganda as long as the nation has relative peace and stability.

allotted funding have now quadrupled from what the ministry used to receive, the tourism industry was allotted thirty billion shillings for promoting Uganda as a tourist destination in the recently finished budget reading. We believe this will go a long way to achieve anything. (Based on only sixteen billion shillings)

Giraffes to be introduced in Lake Mburo National Park

Giraffes to be introduced in Lake Mburo National Park.

The fresh ideas at Uganda Wildlife Authority of moving animals from one area would help Mburo National Park. Public relations of Uganda Wildlife Authority Mr. Jossy Muhangi said that this year a starting project of twelve giraffes would be moved from Murchison Falls National Park to lake Mburo National Park. Like Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park, this is aimed to increase domestic and international tourism as well as make lake Mburo a popular national park.

Because of the presence of impalas that cannot be found in any other Ugandan National Parks as well as Zebras and the addition of giraffes to this small national park, the number of visitors both domestic and international is expected to increase and most likely the number of days spent in lake Mburo National Park by individual tourists will also increase since the park will be more appealing than it has been before.

Remembering that the establishment of Lake Mburo National Park was a forceful one whereby the government forcefully gazatted communal land into a national park, the local community who used to benefit from grazing their animals in this area never loved the idea something that resulted in the poisoning and killing of all lions in the park.

Where this project will work of fail remains a question to be answered by you and me. Consultations with the surrounding people were so undertaken and subsequently decided that portion of the National Park property might be used for grazing.

Uganda Wildlife Authority considered adding a pride of lions to draw more visitors to Lake Mburo National Park last year, however people who visit the National Park said they have never had any opportunity to see them on any game drive.

Though they hide and are rather timid, you may hear roaring at night. Though time will tell if they will embrace the new environment, this appears like a failed attempt. There will be questions over the survival of these giraffes as Lake Mburo National Park has a limited area for such species and we still have to see how the nearby population will respond.

The closest to Kampala city is Lake Mburo National Park; if such ideas prove successful, then we should expect many visitors to this national park with justification stating that there is less to see and that the park serves as a stop over to break the long drives to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorillas will long be gone.

Through park admission fees, boat cruises, walking safaris, and more bed nights for National Park lodges like Mihingo, Mpono, Lake Mburo Safari Lodge, Arcadia cottages, Rwonyo camp among other lodges, more visitors imply more income. National parks will also be competitive as, while originally each national park has been highly special and unlike others, if this idea is overlooked we are likely to see more national parks neglected.