9 Baffalos and more hippos die from Anthrax in Queen Elizabeth Park
An anthrax outbreak in Queen Elizabeth National Park has killed 82 hippos and nine buffaloes since June 2010.
The chairman of the National Anthrax Task Force Dr Nicholas Kauta told journalists on Thursday that the most affected areas are those surrounding Kazinga Channel and lakes Edward and George.
As a national response, he said, the task force is implementing a multi-pronged response which includes undertaking a base line study to determine the extent of the outbreak and affected species through carrying out carcass management, marine and terrestrial patrols and sample analysis.
He warned people around the area not to graze animals in the park, report all sicknesses and deaths in wild and domestic animals to authorities and not to consume meat from sick and dead animals.
He said there will be a ring vaccination of livestock in the national park and all health centres have been put on high alert.
Anthrax is caused by bacteria (bacillus anthracis) in the atmosphere. Animals mainly herbivores get it through contaminated grass, soil and water.
Humans can acquire it through eating contaminated meat and animal products from infected animals.
The park has often experienced attacks in 1954 and in 1994 and 2004. In 2004, about 300 hippos died.
The Uganda Wild Life Authority says there is no cause of alarm that all animals in the park might die because the beasts have natural immunity to the disease.
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Uganda to inject cash in Faith Tourism
The Uganda Tourism Industry is positioning itself to aggressively market its faith-based Tourism as it looks to diversify its products.
The initiative is backed by the increased arrivals for the annual Martyrs’ Day celebrations held at the Uganda Martyrs Shrines at Namugongo.
It is believed that around 997 Tanzanians came for the national Martyrs’ Day celebrations, over 200 from Kenya, while 32 came from Arizona, USA for the single-day event as disclosed by the state minister for tourism, Serapio Rukundo.
“There is a future for faith-based Tourism. Like we used to go to Rome, Israel and Mecca, I think people will be coming here more,” said Rukundo while briefing an Austrian investment firm, A-TEC Industries, recently.
Thirty-one Christian prisoners were burnt in the holocaust at Namugongo on June 3, 1886. Every year 3 June is honored as a public holiday in Uganda. It is also marked worldwide on the church calendar in honor of the Uganda Martyrs.
But what has made this an emerging hot tourism event on the annual calendar is that outside the main celebrations, the village of Namugongo, about 12 kilometers from Kampala city, explodes in a carnivore atmosphere.
Traders and transporters using the opportunity make a kill by selling all kinds of merchandise from souvenirs, refreshments and “simply celebrating life.”
It is this that Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), wants to act as a stepping stone since the martyrs trail was fast catching on in prominence and interest.
Meanwhile, A-TEC is looking at venturing into Uganda’s tourism sector, mining and energy markets.
Bernhard Rippel, A-TEC Industries director of corporate affairs says the firm will consider building a tourism school on the model of a public-private partnership.
Rippel said A-ITEC operates similar models in Oman and Kabul where the company funds the development of the curriculum, training and implementation, while the government pays tuition for the students.
He promised that the dean of the tourism school in Oman will visit Uganda at a yet unconfirmed date to explore on what basis a tourism school will be established.
Serapio outlined Uganda’s attractive tourism diversity of 10 national parks, 12 wildlife reserves and home to more than half of the surviving mountain gorillas, saying the sector still has room for new investments.
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Uganda Tourism news
You must take a Safari in Uganda
Uganda is a small, land-locked country in Eastern Africa. It borders Kenya, Sudan, DR Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania and is home to one of the most diverse landscapes in all of Africa. Within Uganda's borders lie lush mountains, vast lakes and dry grasslands that teem with all sorts of wildlife, making it a wonderful safari destination.
Of recent, Uganda was not as popular a tourist destination as it neighboring countries. This means that adventurous visitors here can enjoy a type of authentic African landscape and culture that is less available in the better trodden countries such as Kenya and Tanzania.
One of Uganda's most famous and unique aspects are its abundance of Endangered Mountain wild gorillas, many of which are accessible on Ugandan safaris that take visitors into the national parks where they live. It is only because of Uganda's uniquely lush environments that gorillas can be observed up close here.
Chimpanzees come second to Uganda's unusual wildlife staying in their natural habitat. Typical Ugandan safaris also incorporate a chimp element, in addition to gorilla treks.
The River Nile is a very different setting on a safari through Murchison Falls National Park. Here, the massive river plunges down 45 meters into an amazing waterfall and wild hippos and crocodiles roam the waters.
Despite the rocky reputations of several of its neighbors, Uganda is one of the safer countries for tourists to visit in the entire Eastern African region. The nation boasts a stable government and lacks the insurgents and war that characterize many African nations, making it the perfect place to experience an Excellent African safari.
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UNESCO needs 1 mln dollars to reconstruct Uganda’s Kasubi Tombs
Located on a hill in Uganda's capital Kampala, Kasubi Tombs was a former palace of the Kings of Buganda, built in 1882 and converted into the royal burial ground in 1884.
Four royal tombs lay within the main building, which is circular and surmounted by a dome. It was made of wood, thatch, reed, wattle and daub.
The tombs were a tourist attraction as well as an important spiritual and political site for the Baganda, Uganda's largest ethnic group. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001, but was set ablaze by an identified fire
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are seeking one million U.S. dollars for the rebuilding Uganda's world heritage site which was burnt down in March, an official said here on Friday.
Irina Bokova, UNESCO director general told delegates from 40 African countries that the organization has taken the responsibility of mobilizing funds for reconstructing Kasubi Tombs, a 126 year old burial site for ancient kings of one of Uganda's oldest kingdoms.
"We are committed to preserving culture. Culture is very important and significant for the economic growth and development of African continent," she said while closing the 12th conference of national commissions for UNESCO and director general consultations of Africa region.
Yesterday Bokova met President Yoweri Museveni at State House, Entebbe, 40km south of the capital, Kampala Uganda where by Museveni called upon UNESCO to support Uganda's efforts to preserve its oldest cultural sites.
"We welcome any support towards Kasubi. However, Kasubi is more recent in 1884. There are other sites that were as ancient as 1600AD. We should develop programs to ensure that we protect this rich history as living memory," the statement quoted Museveni as saying.
According to the release, Bokova said that UNESCO has already raised 50,000 dollars from various donors for the reconstruction of the tombs and hoped to jointly work with Ugandan government to restore it.
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Uganda’s Tourism potential not well tapped
The Tourism sector of Uganda sparks debate on the approaches that the sector should take to finance its growth. Having shaken off most of the negative perceptions that derailed its growth until the late 1990s, the sector has recovered considerably. According to figures from the ministry of Trade and Tourism, revenue from tourism was $350 million in 2006, $450 million in 2007 and $600 million in 2008.
Moses Mapesa, the executive director of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), notes that encroachment and illegal access have often posed challenges to the management of such protected areas.
Between 2007 and 2008, the government allowed oil companies to carry out exploration activities in both Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks, while Hima Cement was granted a licence to mine cement at Dura in Queen Elizabeth National Park.Although these companies are compelled to ensure that they do not extensively damage the parks, the intrusion of humans and machinery often destabilizes the animals’ habitats eternally.
Mapesa argues that such challenges facing conservation have compelled them to strike a balance between development and conservation –an activity that was often carried out with the help of donor funding. “The pressures exerted on conservation in Uganda generally call for a paradigm shift from conservation just for the sake of it and using conservation to promote development and poverty alleviation,” explains Mr Mapesa.
Recently, UWA got semi-autonomous status from the Tourism ministry, started the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Trust. It is expected to generate funds locally for conservation activities, especially as donor funding reduces. According to Imelda Bacudo, a conservation finance advisor at UWA, the Trust will have a rigorous business plan for each national park and wildlife reserve aimed at ensuring they operate at optimal performance. “Once you put the money in a Trust fund then it becomes independent and transparent and it is managed by very technical financial managers.
UWA Spokesperson, Lillian Nsubuga, says while tourism revenue has gone up, most of it is from one activity; gorilla tracking. “Most of our parks bring in more than we put in,” she said. “The gorillas are actually helping to save other wildlife like hippos, elephants, impalas, zebras, gazelles, jaguars, cheetahs, etc.
Income from gorillas support conservation of other species but we are moving towards a period of more equitable distribution.” While a semi-autonomous status has given UWA the room to try out new conservation and fund-generating ideas, other sub-sectors that are funded solely by the government seem bereft of creativity. According to the Commissioner for museums and monuments in the ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry, Ms Rose Nkaale Mwanje, more than 500 cultural and natural tourist sites are endangered.
Unfortunate sites like Wamala Tombs, Ntutsi Mounds and Nyero Rock Paintings are among those being destroyed due to lack of funds to maintain them, lack of appropriate laws, ignorance of locals neighboring the sites and land encroachment.
Yet the rhetoric from the government does not promise much for sub-sectors still funded largely from state coffers, with the minister for Tourism, Trade and Industry, Mr Kahinda Otafiire, saying, “Government is committed to giving financial support to the tourism industry but the bread bake is still
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Uganda safari news
2 billion shillings for Tourism promotional in 2010/11
The Government of Uganda will not increase funding to the tourism sector in the next financial year.
According to the national budget framework paper for 2010/11, the total allocation for Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is projected to remain constant at sh2.05b.
However, the figure is still subject to parliamentary approval. But sector experts believe a thorough lobbying process through Parliament and the higher executive could cause change.
The Uganda Tourism Board, the lead promotion agency received sh2b the 2009/2010 budget. Edwin Muzahura, the Tourism Uganda marketing and public relations manager, said the agency may seek other funding options in the event that the Government does not change its position.
“We will keep lobbying the Government. We still think the Government can rescind its position,” said Muzahura. Cuthbert Baguma, the new Tourism Uganda boss, disclosed that his agency needs sh22b to effectively sell the country’s rich attractions for better foreign earnings.
Tourism comes after agriculture and forestry on the list of the national primary growth areas of the newly released National Development Plan.
Muzahura in an interview said through implementing the tourism levy, the UTB could generate some resources. UTB is empowered to collect 2% of the total expenditure bill generated by hotels.
Muzahura also said the agency is looking at another 2% levy on airport taxis as another source of income. Key on the agenda of UTB in the next financial year is to promote local and regional tourism that guards the sector from the uncertainties arising from external interruptions like the recent ash clouds that paralyzed travel in mainland Europe.
The other is to focus the marketing on key prime markets, explore sustainable financing options as well as quality standards in the services industry like hotel grading.
In 2008, tourism contributed 9.2% or $1.2b to the gross domestic product while in Kenya, it brought in $3.5b or 10.8% to GDP according to the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC).
This variation maybe directly linked to the massive investment that Kenya puts into the sector. According to the draft corporate strategy plan 2009-2012, Kenya spends sh27 billion (ksh1 billion) in marketing alone.
Tourism arrivals increased from 512,000 in 2004 to 844,000 in 2008- an increase of 65% in fewer than five years boosted by the commonwealth heads of government meeting (CHOGM) held here.
Kenya on the other hand had 1, 816,800 tourist visitors in 2008.
These comparisons experts argue provide strong insights to the value promotional cash provides in pushing not only arrival figures but also high end tourists that generate valuable revenue.
Kenya and Egypt are easily some of the biggest spenders on tourism promotion to the tune of sh189b combined.
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Uganda Safari News
Thousands pray at Uganda Martyrs Shrine
Thousands of Christian pilgrims from across the world are praying at the Uganda Martyrs’ shrines at Namugongo and Nakiyanja today to remember the death of Uganda Martyrs in 1886.
These Martyrs were speared, killed and burnt to ash by King Mwanga 11 Buganda’s Kabaka for their strong faith in God.
The Martyrs day is celebrated annually on June 3 in memory of 30 Christian martyrs and recently the Uganda Tourism Board launched the Martyrs trail as anew Tourism product following the burning of Kasubi Tombs that is a burial place for the Kabakas of Buganda. And its at this place where Kabaka Mwanga was buried.
The service at the the Catholic shrine is being led by Bishop Henry Sentongo of ecclesiastical province of Tororo.
Prayers at the Anglican shrine are being led by priests from West Ankole Diocese.
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Seychelles to promote Uganda’s Tourism
The World’s second most conservationist country, Seychelles, has added Uganda and some EAC countries on its list of tourist destinations.
This opportunity will promote the country’s gorilla and wildlife destinations to visitors from Europe, America and other parts of the world.
Speaking at a meeting of Uganda’s tour operators in Kampala, Mr David Germain, the Seychelles Tourist Regional manager said; originally South Africa and the US alone have been the main market.
“We have decided to take a more general approach and identified specific countries on the African continent; we have chosen Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya as potential partners in promoting tourism,” Mr Germain said.
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A Solitary Silver back dies
Buhanga, the 23 year old solitary Silverback of Congo’s Gorilla Sector, has died.
Buhanga was found near Gatovu patrol post, his favorite haunt, lying face down in a stream struggling to breath. Innocent, Dr Magda and the Rangers were with him when he took his last breaths some 30 minutes later and his death was natural, later on was buried in the Gorilla Cemetary at Rumangabo.
Buhanga had been a solitary gorilla for many years, and did not have any offspring that we knew of. His father was killed in crossfire in 1997.
You may recall Buhanga was sick at the beginning of March, but he appeared to make a recovery though thin. Buhanga, Karateka’s brother, had been a solitary for many years, and could often be spotted near Gatovu chomping on bamboo. He was videoed in August 2008 by Innocent.
This was an incredibly special moment, and one that has stuck in the hearts of all Rangers in the Gorilla Sector, because it was the first time in a year that a gorilla had been seen.
It was just a couple of months before the war reached a climax, and really represented a moment of hope that the gorillas of Mikeno would be okay, despite all the fighting so close to their habitat. Buhanga will be missed
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Buganda kingdom to set up zoo
Buganda Kingdom to set up a zoo at Lubiri, the palatial home of the Kabaka, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi.
The Buganda tourism minister, Florence Kiyingi said that the kingdom had been granted permission by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to keep the wild animals.
“The zoo will have all the young animals that symbolise our totems. We are taking advantage of our proximity to wildlife authorities to promote our cultural heritage.”
Florence said clan members would have the opportunity to see some of the wild animals during the event and the zoology department will provide specimen of the animals that will not have been obtained.
There are over 50 clans in Buganda and each of them has a totem, except the royal clan, Abalangira.
Kiyingi made the disclosure while addressing journalists at the launch of the Buganda Tourism Expo 2010 at Hotel Africana on Wednesday.
The event will take place between June 28 and July 14. It aims at promoting cultural tourism in Buganda and Uganda as a whole.
Ugandans should visit heritage sites to learn more about their culture.
Some of the planned activities include opening of the royal gardens for public viewing, a food expo, an exhibition of herbal medicine, traditional music, performances from schools and a cultural show by tribes from all over the world.
The kingdom has also set up a website to promote the event in the diaspora.
The occasion will also focus on reconstruction of Kasubi tombs, a world heritage site that was destroyed by fire two months ago.
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