New UWA Buses to Boost Tourism in Uganda
The year 2018 has started with interesting news including the importation of brand new executive UWA buses that are aimed at promoting domestic tourism in Uganda. Additionally, these buses will contribute to awareness among some members of the population especially corporations, schools as well as the general public institutions within the different areas of tourism for conservation initiatives.
While launching the buses at Uganda Wildlife Authority Headquarters in Kamwokya (Kampala), the State Minister for Tourism-Hon Godfrey Kiwanda emphasized that the over dependence of the country in International Tourism is not sufficient in supporting tourism development in Uganda hence the need to also focus on domestic tourists.
According to UWA Executive Director-Dr. Andrew Sseguya, all the five buses coasted about $800, 000 (Uganda shillings 2, 923,080,000) and was part of the Agency’s strategy to improve tourism and conservation within all the National Protected Areas. Therefore, you can visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park at greatly reduced transport cost.
However, that is not enough because with the poor state of roads, it is challenging to connect to the National Parks even with the purchase of the buses. Therefore according to UWA Executive Director, the Government is very committed to constructing more roads across Uganda so that tourists are not challenged with transport and connection to the Conservation Areas.
What special features are found on the executive buses to make them ideal for tourism? They surprisingly have high ground clearance with cozy leather seats, power charging ports, entertainment and communication facilities as well as enough luggage space. Wouldn’t want to feel the comfort of the new tourism buses?
During the same time of launching the buses, Minister Kiwanda also launched the 2018 Tulambule public Campaign, to sensitize and create awareness about the tourism sector among Ugandans, as a way of promoting domestic tourism in the country. During this initiative, tourists (especially Ugandans) are able to make trips to popular destinations in the country such as Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley, Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth National Parks as well as Towns like Jinja, Mbarara and Mbale at affordable rates for middle income earners. Therefore with the purchase of the buses, Ugandans can take advantage of the low rates to explore the beauty of the country-known as the “Pearl of Africa”. Not only that, with these buses, two birds have been shot with one stone because tourism is marketed to locals and then more Ugandans will be able to visit the spectacular National Parks.
These executive buses were commissioned as part of the benefits of the $100,000,000 World Bank Project referred as the “Competitive and Enterprises Development Project (CEDP). This project is aimed at supporting reforms to improve the business environment within Uganda.
In conclusion, the launch of the executive buses by the Uganda Wildlife Authority is one of the ways of marketing the attractions especially National Parks to locals while at the same time promoting domestic tourism since more Ugandans will be able to explore what the country offers.
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Kibale Forest Opens 3 Chimpanzee Tracking Sessions
As one of the most attractive safari destination in Uganda for chimpanzee tracking and also famous to the world as one of the most populated primate capital in Africa,Kibale Forest now runs three chimpanzee trekking sessions a day in line with conservation and tourism demand. Most travelers to Africa love tracking gorillas and chimpanzees at the same time though some still don’t different that they have a choice to go chimpanzee habituation instead of trekking and spend a all day in company of the first moving primates.
Because gorilla tracking and Chimpanzee trekking go hand in hand, the high demand for gorilla tourism lead to a high demand for chimpanzee trekking as well.However, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) the government body that manages all Uganda national parks passed a new chimpanzee tracking session for Kibale forest to be thrice a day instead of twice a day in respect of conservation and tourism demand. This has enabled many primate lovers to track chimpanzees as well as gorillas in the right time one after the other. Its also great news to those planning to visit Uganda for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking tours to Kibale forest and Bwindi Impenetrable National park since the number of chimpanzee permits has been doubled.
Important Things to Know About Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest
Best time to Go Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is all year activity just like gorilla tracking but those interested in Chimpanzee habituation can visit the park in the months of March, April, May and November when the tourists are low. Since chimpanzee habituation is done in groups of 4-6, you get enough chances of getting close to the chimps, make clear observation and photography. But also tracking chimpanzees in March, April, May and November is great in Kibale Forest National Park.
Cost of Chimpanzee permits in Kibale
Chimpanzee trekking permits for Kibale Forest National Park cost $150 per trek while chimpanzee habituation go for $22o for a day but the trekking fee goes to $100 per a trek during low season months a price valid until 2019 when Uganda Wildlife Authority plans to revise its park tariff rates. It is anticipated that this Uganda tour adventure will also become a little bit costly in future for conservation reasons so better to do it once you can provided there is money and time.
Other places where to go chimpanzee tracking grounds in Uganda include;
- Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Budongo forest in Murchison falls national Park
- Kalinzu forest Reserve in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary on Lake Victoria for chimpanzee viewing and feeding.
Awakening Lango’s Tourism
Lango sub region is made up of 8 districts, with a population of about 2.1 million people and Lira is the largest district and town. The town serves as a commercial trade center, between Uganda and South Sudan, with most of the people in the region practice farming including rice, maize and cattle.
Lango sub region of northern Uganda is officially open to tourism, following the launching of Lango Tourism Cluster and the recent domestic tourism campaign, dubbed Tulambule Uganda. The Uganda Tourism Board, ministry of tourism, wildlife & antiquities, in partnership with local authorities, started identifying tourism sites and attractions including history, culture and food in Lango sub-region.
Lango is to open to the outside world after isolation from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel insurgence which brought misery to people from the 1980’s to 2006. In fact, the Barlonyo memorial site was the first to be visited by the officials, where 302 civilian were killed at the site by Kony rebels in 2004. During a tour to this cultural site, visitors get a clear picture of the killings that went on during the war in northern Uganda.
As Ugandans explored Lango’s tourism sites and attractions during the 3 day Uganda Tour dubbed “Tulambule Excursion”, conducted last year. The minister of tourism and officials from Uganda tourism board with local authorities visited various historical and natural tourist. Along cultural and educational engagements were made with local schools, tour operators and ways on how to create and market the kind tourism experience, a local or foreign tourist would have while in Lango were liaised.
Lango people have a rich and unique culture heritage; anthropologists assert that these people originated from Ethiopia, some of the heritage hills and rocks bear evidence. Ibuje, Nget and Otuke hills according to the local legend are some of the sites identified for tourism. During the visit, officials encountered some of the earliest human foot prints; Olum was one of them believed to have supernatural powers.
The traditional culture is rich and unique, locals especially women practice their dance, music and folklore as well as local cuisines including Shea (Mwoya) butter making are still cherished despite the increasing westernization. Artisans also produce coiled pottery, carving wood and fashioning straws into mats, weaving baskets and a lot of Lango artifacts remain unexplored.
The people of Lango once had one kingdom before the British colonial rule; the Tulambule Team also explored the British imperialist war land marks in the region, especially at Kangai site, where two kings of traditional kingdoms of Bunyoro – Kitara and Buganda were captured during anti-colonial wars that took place in 1899. Kungu is another landmark in Apac district where missionaries started first settled to spread Christianity hence it’s a great attraction for faith based tourism.
Other cultural heritage and historical sites that were identified as important for tourism development in the region include:-
Burial palace in Apac district, where Uganda’s first prime minister and president, Dr. Milton Obote was buried. During his rule, president Obote once abolished traditional kingdoms which were later re-instituted after his downfall. Unfortunately, the Lango chiefdom remains defunct to date.
Besides the rich cultural heritage, Lango sub-region is also blessed with natural attractions including rivers, fresh water lakes, swamps, which present opportunities for adventure and wildlife viewing. They include Lake Kyoga, Lake Kwania, Olweny and Arocha swamps and several rivers including River Moroto with pygmy crocodiles, birds and mammals. River Moroto boasts Aswan hydro-power station which generates hydro-electricity, leading to economic development in the region.
Following the accomplished Tulambule visit in Lango, a series of meetings were conducted, highlighting plans to increase tourist facilities including hotels, building a new airfield, expand road network to carter for tourists who may prefer to travel to region by air. All these are expected to awaken tourism in Lango according to ministry of tourism and Uganda tourism board.
Some of the region’s districts like Lira and Apac have towns, with hotels, restaurants, health centers and hospitals, banking facilities; the common mode of transport is motorcycles, cars and bicycles. For those who need to get around to the markets for shopping, sightseeing or business.
Read MoreUganda Introduces e-visa Application System
The Ugandan Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control officially announced the new e-visa online application system for concerned travelers including tourists with effect from 1st July 2016.
Anyone wishing to travel to Uganda can easily apply for the e-visa at https://visas.immigration.go.ug the official online application website. The application should made in two weeks time before you actual date of travel.
Once you enter the website and make a request, an authorization document is sent to you by email which should be printed out and then later presented to any of the Ugandan high commission embassies in foreign countries, at the overland border posts or on arrival at Entebbe International Airport Immigration Offices. The system will be very convenient for travelers; very often the long lines at immigration offices can annoy and take time which you may not be having even as we wait for the complete implementation of the system soon.
Note that the old system of applying for Uganda visas on arrival is still working normally at Entebbe airport and overland borders as we wait for the new one to start working. A single entry visa costs 100 USD per person which is valid for 3 months for tourists; multiple entry visas are valid for 6 months and cost the same amount.
You must be aware of your visa expiry date because overstaying in Uganda after you visa expires leads to a payable fine of 100 USD or where necessary imprisonment because it’s illegal. You are allowed to apply for visa extension through the Ugandan directorate of citizenship and immigration control head offices located in Kampala. The East African single tourist visa cost 100 USD and allows visitors to tour all the East African countries minus extra border entry charges.
To apply for the Uganda visa you are required to download, print and sign the visa application form for those applying online. For manual application upon arrival you must present a valid passport, two passport size photographs, and a trip itinerary, a copy of international yellow fever vaccination card is mandatory. For those visiting friends and relatives in Uganda, you must have a letter of invitation from the person inviting you with personal details such as purpose of the visit, names, gender, duration of the visit as well as details of the inviting party.
Uganda is perceived as a politically stable country and a safe destination for tourists although the country is often rated to be on a high risk of terror threats because Ugandan government established its presence in Somalia for the al-Shabab terrorists. For safety and security reasons tourists are advised to avoid illegally crossing border areas of Uganda such as eastern DRC, northern Karamoja region border with south Sudan. Recently after general elections some minor political demonstrations took place involving violence against law keepers (police) hence tourists are warned to avoid gatherings of that kind. Do not expose off your valuables like cameras, expensive phones or laptops while on the streets not to attract thieves.
Uganda is one of the best tourist destinations in Africa with many tourist attractions that can all be combined on one safari and cannot be seen elsewhere. Particularly, Uganda is a home to half of the world’s remaining gorillas and tourists come from all over the world to come for gorilla safaris in Bwindi or Mgahinga national park. Besides the gorillas, there are chimpanzees, wildlife national parks, mountains, fresh water bodies, waterfalls, source of the mighty Nile, which all offer great opportunity for tourists to enjoy nature.
The new Uganda e-visa online system performs security check for all applicants to avoid online lawbreakers. It’s clear that you will successfully be eligible for the e-visa by application but does not guarantee you of official and confidential approval because you will have to get through a personal interview by the immigration officers show proof of your identity documents such as identity cards or passports to determine originality. Any falsification found in documents or statements is liable to face charges in courts of law and termination of the visa.
Visa exemption does apply to few country nationals who can visit Uganda without one hence you should read about your country’s visa status for Uganda.
Read MoreUN-WTO Secretary General Visits Uganda
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary General Mr. Taleb Rifai has described tourism sector in Uganda as a star in the making waiting to rise to the surface.
Addressing the tourism fraternity at the Kampala Serena Hotel on Sunday on his first official visit to Uganda, Mr. Taleb remarked that tourism is oil that runs the economies and which never runs out if well preserved. He was flanked by the UNWTO regional coordinator for Africa Mr. Ousman Ndiaye and the UN Resident Coordinator Ms Aziakwona Ononchie.
Mr. Taleb implored the political leadership of Uganda to place tourism sector high on the national agenda describing it as the investment for the future. Politically, it is the most effective tool for creation of peace when people travel and rub shoulders, he observed.
The Secretary General noted that travel and tourism play a central role in the socio economic transformation of the country by creating employment and promoting better understanding. He said globally tourism generates 5.2 trillion dollars a year and is the third largest industry. In 2012,on billion tourists crossed borders to visit other countries ,he said adding that it is now time for Uganda to shine.
Mr. Taleb said Uganda is enormously endowed with tourism potential arguing that what “you do with what you have is what matters” .He promised that the UN system in the country will work together to promote and foster tourism growth.
Uganda Vice President Mr. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi said “We appreciate the technical support that UNWTO and UNDP is currently giving Uganda in the review of our tourism policy and development of the tourism master plan and the development of inclusive Markets in Tourism sector Project”.
He added that the purpose of Mr. Taleb’s visit to Uganda is in line with Uganda’s development agenda of the socio economic transformation. He said tourism is one of the sectors driving the agenda of creating employment, and developing a productive and competitive labour force.
The minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Dr. Maria Mutagamba said government is working with UNWTO to define Destination –Pearl of Africa by harnessing her natural and cultural endowments. She hailed the UNWTO for the technical assistance to develop the Tourism Policy and Master plan 2003 which has expired in 2013 and Uganda is embarking on a new ten year plan.
Mr. Taleb was due to meet the President as State House Entebbe and other development partners during a breakfast business meeting.
Read MoreKarimojong Warrior Dancers wow Namugongo Pilgrims
This year’s annual martyrs celebrations on 3rd June were led by Bishop Giussepe Filippi of Kotido located North Eastern Uganda. He was accompaned by the diocean choir and a troupe of Karimojong warriors donned in traditional garb in a gallantry of hymn, dance and worship to the delight of Pilgrims.
This year attendance hit the one million mark with President Yoweri Museveni being the chief Pilgrim. Also in attendance was Maria Nyerere widow of the founding Father of The Republic of Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.
The President committed government support to the development of the martyrs shrines into tourism attractions. This will add impetus to efforts by the Uganda Tourism Board in promoting religious tourism that began with a martyrs charity walk dubbed in the Footsteps of The Uganda Martyrs the previous day.
Pilgrims came from as far as Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda,Kenya, the United States of America and Nigeria.
Over 45 martyrs were burnt alive in 1886 on the orders of the reigning kabaka (king) of Buganda following growing dissent in the kings court from the new converts to Christianity at the height of colonial struggle.
Festivities will be held in the same venue on the 18th October to commemorate Golden Jubilee since the canonization of the Catholic martyrs by Pope Paul VI.This shall coincide with the commemoration of the martyrdom of lesser known martyrs Jildo Irwa and Daudi Okello from Acholiland in Northern Uganda who were martyred almost 25 years later in Paimol.
Read MoreEyes on Uganda as it’s Declared a Birding Hub
Uganda has been declared a preferred bird watching destination 2013/14 a development expected to promote birding and uphold the country as a major tourist destination.
The declaration by the government was made after Birdlife International, a global programme on conservation and protection of birds and their habitats, and Nature Uganda announced that there were 34 important bird watching areas in Uganda, with diverse bird species.
“Allow me to declare Uganda a preferred bird watching destination as we begin our journey through the next 50 years as we mark the country’s independence jubilee celebrations,” the Minister for Tourism, Ms Maria Mutagamba, said during the launch of the birding campaign that attracted various birders and guides at Kasenge Forest Resort Beach in Mukono District at the weekend.
Ms Mutagamba said they had been priding in the recent accolades by Lonely Planet, which voted Uganda as the best tourism destination for 2012 and Africa Bird Club, which voted Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Africa’s number one birding site.
The minister said the accolades provide an important avenue for showcasing Uganda’s rich bird diversity, accounting for 10 per cent of the world’s total bird species and 50 per cent of Africa’s bird species population.
Tourism boost
The executive director of Uganda Tourism Board, Mr Cuthbert Baguma, said as the year closes in, it was important to start promoting the country as a major bird destination.
Mr Baguma said they were forming a crisis management committee to respond to all negative publicity on either social media as well as other media outlets.
UWA Launches New Tourist Activity in Mount Elgon
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has introduced mountain bike-riding in Mount Elgon National Park as a new tourist activity.
The assistant warden at the national park, Mr Stephen Nyadru, while speaking at the launch on Friday, said the move is aimed at attracting more tourists. He said activities will include traversing of rocks, washouts, and steep declines, on dirt trails, logging roads, and gravel roads that wind along lazy streams through forested valleys or trails that climb up steep mountainsides; and other unpaved environments.
“This is the first time we are introducing this form of tourism. We feel that after climbing the mountain, usually tourists remain dull during descending so this will be able to give them another exercise down the hills as a modern form of tourism in Uganda,” said Mr Nyadru.
He said the specific advantages of mountain bike-riding combines pleasure of being in the mountains with the health advantages of altitude and gradients, significant level of physical exercise and the possibility to cover longer distances.
The tourism official said the new activity complements other old tourists attractions.
They include scenic peaks, gorges, hot-springs, magnificent waterfalls, caves, and flora & fauna.
Others are the talking tree along in Kapkwai, and the caldera and crater lakes/pools. The Mt. Elgon area conservation manager, Mr Adonia Bintorwa, said on the first day of launching, the park earned Shs12 million from Ireland bikers – Concern Worldwide – who were on a tri-adventure of Mt Elgon.
Mr James Mcmanas, the expedition leader of about 17 bikers from Concern worldwide Ireland, said mountain bike or mountain bicycle (abbreviated MTB) created for off-road cycling, makes Mt Elgon now a place to go for all bikers
Regional Platform Launched to Promote Tourism Marketing
A multi-stake holder platform comprising eminent Ugandans from the public and private sector has been formed with the main aim of promoting tourism in Kigezi region and Uganda in general.
The Kigezi Tourism Multi stake holder platform was formed at the end of December, 2011 during the International Community of Banyakigezi (ICOB) Convention 2011 held at White Horse Inn and was preceded by a Mountain Gorilla Marathon race flagged off by the Bank of Uganda Governor Professor Tumusiime Mutebile.
The founding members of the tourism cluster platform say they recognize the abundant and diverse natural and cultural endowment of the region and fully appreciate the importance of tourism in transforming the socio economic livelihoods of the people of Kigezi.
“We acknowledge that despite the resource endowment , the region has not fully exploited the potential of the tourism industry, it is relatively uncompetitive and that the sector opportunities have not been fully utilized to promote the inclusiveness of all communities to enhance social economic welfare,” says a statement signed by Professor Mutebile as the chairman ICOB Uganda chapter and Dr. Peter Ngategize of the Ministry of Finance as the facilitator.
In recognition of the above factors, adds the statement, the tourism cluster is committed to accomplish the following : To act as an advocacy platform promoting and lobbying for the interests of tourism development in the region, Promote and package the attractions of Kigezi region for domestic, regional and international market, to mobilize and engage Banyakigezi community to appreciate ,conserve and develop the tourism attractions in the region and to Identify tourism opportunities and attract investment in the sector.
To further the said objectives, an interim committee was formed to accomplish a number of tasks including Mobilization and registration of membership for the cluster, formulate a constitution and register the cluster ,linking the cluster with relevant stake holders and institutions furthering its mandate and to organize and structure its administration.
The committee consists of members identified from the public and private sectors with interest and capacity to promote the cluster. They are Dr. Peter Ngategize, Mr. Nicholas Byengoma of Acadia Cottages, Engineer Ivan Mbabazi Batuma,Ms Charlote Kanabahita, Mr. James Garuga Musinguzi,Mr. Seith Byarugaba,Mr. Cuthbert Baguma of the Uganda Tourism Board,Mr. Stephen Masaba of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Lilian Lyazi of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage among others.
Others are Prof. Tumusiime Mutebile,Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda,Ms Monica Ekyogabiirwe, Fidelis Kanyamunyu, representatives from Rural Electrification Agency, Local government representatives from Kigezi region districts, Ministry of ICT and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).
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Upcountry Tourism Sites in Uganda to be Developed
The ministry of tourism plans to develop potential tourist sites upcountry. The plan, according to the tourism state minister, Serapio Rukundo, involves establishing world-class facilities for visitors.
The minister, who was inspecting prospective sites in the countryside, told Arua district local leaders on Wednesday that he was waiting for approval from the finance ministry to start implementing the project.
He explained that the plan would be supported by the government’s increased funding to the road sector to link major tourism sites across the country.
“While the Government is working on the roads, we have asked them to work on what we have prescribed as tourism roads. So that when a tourist leaves Kampala, they can traverse the country without necessarily going back to the capital,” Rukundo said.
He announced that the ministry had set aside funds to establish at least 10 five-star hotels in different regions and also procure 100 tourism vehicles under a private-public partnership arrangement.
Rukundo said they were also in talks with the finance ministry to waive taxes on cars, which will be bought and given to private tour operators under a hire-purchase system.
Rukundo added on that the Government would ask established hotels such as Serena and Sheraton to open more facilities upcountry. He noted that the country had been divided into tourism zones, the first being Kigezi, with scenic sites at Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi forests for gorilla tracking and Ishasha, with its tree-climbing lions.
The second zone, dubbed the Rift Valley Zone, covers part of Queen Elizabeth national park and the Semiliki reserves. The third zone stretches from Murchison Falls national park through the West Nile region.
The other zone covers the eastern region, with Mt Elgon as one of the main attractions.
Kampala is being developed into a short haul base. Tourists based in Kampala will be able to visit the rhinos and hippos in Nakasongola district or the Ssese Islands and return to Kampala the same day, the minister explained.
Rukundo said that there are also plans that are underway to reintroduce rhinos in the 164 square-kilometer Ajai game reserve.
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