Tourism players react to UWA’s Boss suspension
Moses Mapesa, the suspended Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, as he awaits a final decision from a probe team looking into his alleged mismanagement of funds and a possible flout of rules of procedure, some tourism players have already delivered a guilty verdict on his tenure.
A probe team, instituted by the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry, is currently on an upcountry tour of the national parks to gather information they hope to use to determine whether to uphold Mapesa’s suspension or not. The probe team embarked on its tour after the High Court issued an injunction against Mapesa’s suspension. But even before the team gather its findings, some players in the industry have issued a vote of no confidence in Mapesa, and want him to be shown the exit.
One Herbert Byaruhanga, the Executive Director of Bird Uganda Safaris Ltd, accuses UWA, under Mapesa’s watch, of incompetence said, “They didn’t know operators who are not registered with AUTO [Association of Uganda Tour Operators) yet there are many associations in Uganda. They give $10 per gorilla permit to AUTO as if it is the only one doing the marketing.”
He added: “There is something lacking, generally. They make decisions without consulting with the stakeholders yet we market their products. It is like they don’t appreciate what we do.”
Another player, cautious not to divulge a lot and antagonize his friends at UWA, said Mapesa’s suspension does not come as a surprise. “This is a tip of something that has been boiling. It just exploded but it is a shame that as Ugandans, we can’t manage our own heritage,” said Livingstone Kalema, the managing director of Livingstone African Safaris.
Other players speaking on condition of anonymity pointed out that the institution had become arrogant. “There was a bit of creating small kings within the whole thing. UWA operates like a small kingdom and he [Mapesa] talked with a lot of power,” said an industry player, who is also a member of the probe committee.
In indicting Mapesa’s name in the alleged mess at UWA, the stakeholders have ruptured the image of a man who embodied all that is ambition, but then opened up a whole new series of questions about someone who grew from the lowest ranks to become the boss of what, until recently, had become one of the few well-run government institutions.
Mapesa, a tough-talking official, is a veteran of Uganda’s tourism industry. He is said to have started at UWA as a research student while undertaking his postgraduate studies. He then moved between a couple of national parks as warden.
Mapesa’s biggest break came in 2005, when he was appointed the executive director of UWA. This was a time when the tourism industry’s image was recovering from a tainted past after some Rwanda rebels allegedly murdered American tourists in Bwindi Impenetrable National park.
The numbers – in terms of revenue and tourists – were looking good. Indeed, Mapesa played his part in growing the numbers. Under his watch, through his strategy in regaining the confidence that the industry had lost, UWA recorded more revenues, with the gorillas and chimpanzees attracting at least 20,000 visitors per year.
According to available statistics by UWA, the number of Ugandans visiting parks went up from 24,381 in 2007 to 25,605 in 2008 and 29,884 in 2009.
In 2008, Uganda earned more than $630m from tourism alone which was second to remittances by Ugandans in the Diaspora, and surpassed the once mighty sectors such as coffee, tea, fish, cotton and flowers combined.
With Mapesa’s other initiatives such as the popular Friend a Gorilla campaign, Uganda had returned on the map of the most sought-after tourist destinations.
But like other government bodies in a similar financial state, UWA was gradually becoming a sort of poisonous chalice for those managing it. As part of his role, Mapesa faced a delicate balancing act; keeping at bay huge corporate companies seeking a piece of the protected areas for their business expansions, appeasing the interests of prying environmentalists, and making sure that tourist operators were confident that transparency reigned supreme in the way matters were being handled.
It was, therefore, not long before controversies broke out. Mapesa has been accused of favouritism in awarding concessions. For example, tour operators contest UWA’s decision to award all gorilla permits for Nkuringo gorilla family to Nkuringo Cultural Development Foundation (NCDF), which entered another agreement with The Uganda Safari Company (TUSC) to market the gorilla permits and manage Nkuringo Eco-Lodge.
Others question the criteria used for the same Uganda Safari Company to acquire concessions at UWA managed estates of Kidepo Valley National Park and Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.
With these concessions, tour operators feel locked out of a lucrative business venture. Frustrated, some have moved on to a more open industry like Rwanda’s, a fierce competitor for Uganda.
Yet, in accusing Mapesa for all the wrongdoing, industry players hardly question Dr. Oumar Muballe, the board chairman, who sparked off the shakeup at UWA under suspicious circumstances four months into his new job.
John Nagenda, a former chairman of UWA, and also a senior Presidential Advisor, did not have any kind words for Muballe in his recent weekly column, One Man’s Week. He wrote “When the new Chairman, after only a couple of months, sits on his hind paws (we are talking wildlife) and says of Moses Mapesa, the dedicated Executive Director for the last seven years, that he is incompetent (a sick joke), he should show cause.” He added: “He has made allegation after allegation, including impropriety, against Mapesa and his team... his breakneck speed (why?) and the rate at which he pops up with announcements, some contradicting each other, border on hysteria. Who is the monkey driving this man?”
A member of the probe team investigating Mapesa feels UWA is caught between a rock and a hard place. “We must be very careful because there are challenges on both sides. There are challenges regarding management of UWA but also there could be challenges on the side of the new board,” he said, declining to be quoted.
For the tourism industry, however, dealing with Mapesa remains their first hurdle.
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Jackie
Uganda Tourism news
Uganda Safari Manager challenges reports over gorilla rights
The Director of Uganda Safari, Ms Pamela Kertland Wright, has defended her company’s exclusive monopoly over the gorilla sites in western Uganda, saying it was part of the condition for their $2 million (about Shs4 billion) investment.
Ms Kertland told the probe committee instituted by the Minister of Trade, Tourism and Industry, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, last week that Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Nkuringo community in Kisoro District, among others, entered a deal that allowed Uganda Safari - a company she runs with her husband - to have rights over the six sites that other tour operators say is the heartland of most gorillas in western Uganda.
“We are not monopolizing anything. We have an agreement signed between UWA and the community and that is what has enticed us to invest otherwise it would have been foolish to invest without guarantee,” Ms Kertland said.
She told the committee that the accusation of monopoly should not arise because there are now more 16 operational gorilla sites, adding that their massive investment is no ordinary feat, considering that they are in areas that lack even basic necessities like power and water.
Ms Kertland, in a separate interview said she will seek legal redress if the six permits are taken away from them and subjected to competition, arguing that they got the permits in a legal and transparent process. Uganda Safari will have priority over the six sites for 15 years. Ms Kertland said in the last two years, the affected communities have been given $60,000 as part of her company’s contribution to them.
He added health centers are being erected and more money is being channeled back to the community more than ever before. After months of investigations, following complaints by some local tour operators, acting Inspector General of Government Raphael Baku on April 28, wrote to State Minister for Tourism Serapio Rukundo ordering the cancellation of the lucrative gorilla-tracking deal on the fringes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Mr Baku, in the report addressed to Mr Rukundo, said Mr James Bakeine, a tour operator, complained to his office of “discrimination, irregularities and illegalities” in the management and issuance of gorilla-tracking permits by UWA to just a few companies, resulting in monopoly. In addition to the monopoly that the IGG documented in his report, he also directed that the Nkuringo Foundation be wound up because it does not serve the interests of the Nkuringo community. Mr Baku, in an April 28 report, said UWA, by granting The Uganda Safari Company (TUSC) exclusive rights to issue permits to tourists, deprives Kisoro District residents’ opportunities and revenue. Three top UWA managers, led by acting Executive Director Eunice Duli, in an interview with this newspaper on Tuesday, said the Ombudsman’s report lacks merit and is “inaccurate and misleading.”
Compiled by Jackie
Uganda shines at China expo
OVER one million people have so far visited the Ugandan stall at the ongoing World Expo in Shanghai, China to look at the world’s rare animal, the mountain gorilla.
Ann Karungi, a Uganda Export Promotions Board official, told Ugandan journalists on a tour of China that she could not tell the number of people they have received since they started, but it is in millions and she was happy the gorilla campaign is doing very well.
The young and the old, all queue in hundreds daily to take photographs with the imposing effigy of the mountain gorilla, one of the most sought out animal by tourists.
The World Expo, which started on May 1, 2010 is one of the biggest global events held every four years. It is aimed at promoting the exchange of ideas and development of the world economy, culture, science and technology as well as improving international relations.
About 200 nations and 57 international bodies are taking part in the expo expected to attract 70 million visitors.
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UWA graft probe-team named
The Minister of Trade, Tourism and Industry Mr. Kahinda Otafiire has appointed Col. Stephen Kwiringira to head the committee to investigate allegations of corruption against two suspended top Uganda Wildlife Authority officials.
Other members on the committee include Mr Amos Wekesa, the chairman Uganda Tourism Association, Dr John Bosco Nizeye from Makerere University and Mr Denis Bireije. Col. Kwiringira is a former director of operations at the Internal Security Organisation.
The Uganda Wild life Authority, (UWA) executive director Moses Wafula Mapesa and Sam Mwandha, the director of conservation, are currently on forced leave.
Mr Joseph Tibeijuka, the director for finance, has been appointed acting executive director.
The team, according to a source, will investigate alleged mismanagement of money from gorilla permits and Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola District.
Gen. Otafiire said yesterday that the officials will have an opportunity to clear themselves on the allegations contained in the IGG’s report.
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Uganda Tourism Vibrant Despite Bomb Blasts
The Uganda Tourists and tour operators earlier have been weary of the situation and its impact on the tourism sector. However, players in the field say apart from inquiries, there are no tourists canceling their booking and safaris that characterize the season will go as planned.
Hundreds of tourists book vocations in Uganda during this period to visit parks and especially to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Concerns whether they would cancel their trips or change their itinerary have been quelled by further bookings, according the Mr Moses Mapesa, the executive director of Uganda Wildlife Authority, a body that is charged with keeping the national parks, among other tourism attractions
Assuring Tourists, Mr Mapesa said he has not received any cancellation, something that reassures the sector that the bombs scare will not seriously affect the business. On Wednesday morning, tour operators held a meeting at the Uganda Tourism Board offices in Kampala at the meeting, they resolved on safety measures of tourists in the country and those about to arrive.
Though the primary aim of the meeting the upcoming World Travel Market (WTM) fair in London due in November, tour operators addressed matters regarding the bombs scare because they could be damaging to their business.
Miss Najjuka, the manager of Katona tours and travel said that though some tourists who booked with her company are concerned and have been inquiring whether it is safe to visit the country, she is glad that none of them has cancelled and have sent 6 groups of Tourists to National parks this week. Three Tourists are hiking Rwenzori, One couple is on 21 days Vacation to celebrate their marriage , a group of 5 has gone for a grand safari and the rest of the groups are tracking gorillas.
Mr Baluku, a secretary general of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) said,, "No park has been far closed, so as long as visitors observe safety precautions, the situation is very normal."
Uganda Tourism Board's Edwin Muzahura added, "I have met the private sector in tourism and we have agreed on updating our clients on the situation back home." He said providing factual updates on the website, twitter and face book helps tourists understand the situation as it is, and not to scare them away.
"These scares happen anywhere and tourists cannot stop to come because two bombs are detonated in some parts of Kampala. For example, South Africa was on high alert before and during the World Cup, but millions of football fans watched the games peacefully. The situation in Kampala is very controllable and every other places tourists visit, are more security conscious than possibly they have been."
Mr Mapesa adds, "People out there understand that there are security concerns in America, Europe, Asia and everywhere." He said there are reasonable security measures in place to protect the tourists from harm, adding, UWA has enough security on its own in all national parks.
"The safaris are done in the total guidance of our staff. We tell our visitors to travel during the day and to be inside by 7p.m.," he says, adding, "And even when a tourist asked for a self guided tour, we advise them on routes and give them a map."
Mr Muzahura told Saturday Monitor, the situation is under control and that is why the government has not issued any travel advisories. Mr Baluku adds, the coming months are high season for safaris and if the government serves advisory notices, it would heavily impact on the tourism industry.
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Tourists at Lubiri get excited by a Lioness
Ugandans have been urged to conserve the environment and protect wild life because they are a source of income through tourism.
In his speech, Dr.Seguya Andrew, the executive director of Uganda Wildlife Education Centre said Uganda has a comparative advantage over the rest of the world. Uganda has more animals and plants species compared to Europe and Asia.
Dr Seguya who was speaking at the ongoing cultural exhibition at Lubiri in Mengo said Uganda has a big tourism potential. “This is why we should keep this sector jealously to stop people from killing wild animals and encroaching on wetlands and forests,” he added.
The major attraction of the center’s stall at Lubiri was a lioness. Other animals that were exhibited include pythons, an ostrich, the red-tailed monkey and the African fish eagle, among others.
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Uganda’s Serena to join TPSEA stable
The Managing Director of the firm that owns the Serena Hotels(accommodation) in Uganda, Mahmud Jan Mohamed, said on Monday that incorporating the Ugandan firm into the group would go a long way in enabling them to cushion the entity against losses and also increase their shareholders’ value.
“This now gives TPSEA a presence in Uganda and obviously in the long term our objective is to continue with the strategy and hopefully bring in Rwanda and (later) Mozambique to make our public company a very strong vehicle,” he said.
The firm enhanced its presence in Uganda late last year with the acquisition of ‘The Ranch on the Lake’ now Lake Victoria Serena Resort which is the second TPS operation after Kampala Serena.
The integration of TPS Uganda will follow its acquisition through a 100 percent share swap and will go ahead once the requisite regulatory approvals from both Kenya’s and Uganda’s Capital Markets Authorities and the Nairobi Stock Exchange are granted.
A detailed pricing structure and timings of how the process will take place will be released once the group gets the nod from the authorities.
TPSEA started implementing this strategy in 2004 when it integrated the Tanzanian and Zanzibar operations with Kenya’s in a bid to diversify its risk.
This has worked positively for the company particularly in 2008 when the negative impact of the post election violence negatively affected Kenya’s tourism sector, Tanzanian’s operations contributed significantly to the entity’s bottom line.
“The process will bring in more units into the TPSEA and would be a medium term venture that would take about four years to conclude.”
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