Increased   turn up  of international tourists into the  the East Africanb Region that includes Uganda , Kenya , Tanzania ,  Rwanda and Burundi has  observed  Tourism Promotion Services (TPS) East Africa grow its profits after tax by 102 %to Sh142 million during the first half of 2010, compared to the previous year.

The augmented gain has  been accredited to the revival of the tourism sector from a downturn that hit it in the past two years that were due to the political instabilities and the world’s  credit crunch.

TPS Tourism Promotion Services, which  operates  the Serena chain of hotels in the region, grew its turnover by 10 percent from Sh1.6 billion to Sh1.7 billion in the first half of 2010, ending in June.

A statement by the company secretary, Mrs Damaris Angulu , attributed the growth to increased demand for the traditional safari and beach holidays, complemented by increased activity in the corporate sector.

The business landscape in East Africa continues to suggest a degree of caution with the tourism sector in East Africa having to compete intensely with other global holiday destinations.

East Africa has an assortment of unique  tourism destinations that include, the Masai mara  safari in Kenya, Serengeti- Ngorongoro in Tanzania , Kilimanjaro, Rwenzori , Bwindi gorilla national park in Uganda , Volcanoes gorilla national park in Rwanda and many others all of which  can only found in these countries and not any where else in the world!

The turn up is attributed to increased security, growth in the tourism industry and the unique tourism activities that East Africa has to offer .

BY TANAH HADIJAH

UGANDA SAFARI or Africa Safari News

VISITORS BRING DEADLY WEED TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NP

A toxic weed reported in the Uganda about a year ago, has infected  Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda, causing  danger to  thousands of animals and plants. The Queen Elizabeth conservation area manager Mr TOM OKello said  that visitors could have brought the weed into the  Uganda .

He added that the weed is believed  to be a native of Mexico and could have been brought into Uganda about four years ago by some unknown people. The plant is thought to have been introduced into Uganda through Ethiopia and Kenya. Mr Okello said the weed had been sighted in several parts of the park, including areas around Mweya Safari Lodge.  The weed is poisonous to livestock if consumed in large quantities.

He promised that plans to start uprooting and burning the weed will be finalized by the end of  this week. Despite looking beautiful and smelling sweet, the weed is said to be among the world’s 10 most dangerous weeds.

On contact with the human body, it causes a burning effect that makes the skin peel off. Inhaling pollen from the flowers causes an asthma-like illness or persistent flu-like symptoms in humans. Cattle that eat the weed produce foul-smelling milk and may even die. In September, a team led by Dr. Gadi Gumisiriza of the National Agricultural Research Organisation said the weed had been detected in 12 districts.

The Kasese district crop protection officer, Charles Nyamutale, said the killer weed is usually spread by humans, birds and animals. Each plant is capable of producing between 25,000 and 100,000 seeds each season, which can persist in the soil for a long time. Nyamutale said the situation has been worsened because large areas of the park and neighbouring cattle grazing areas are also choking with another shrub called lantana camara. Nyamutale said lantana camara. forms thickets that harbour tsetse flies, which cause nagana in animals and sleeping sickness in humans.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest park in Uganda and brings in about sh2b of the sh17b revenue generated from the country’s national parks  plans to redeem it from this deadly weed are going on .

By Tanah Hadijah

Uganda Safari News

Hi Tanah,

The kingdom of Buganda is one of the ancient Kingdoms that have existed in Uganda since time memorial. This kingdom is lead by a king with a title “kabaka”. Because of its organized system, very many activities are carried out and one of them is the upcoming expedition of the marvelous Buganda EXPO.  The kingdom has begun its preparations for this memorable tourism EXPO 2010 slated for 28^th June to July 2010.

Like the state, this kingdom has different ministries and for this superb activity, the ministry of tourism is responsible. This time the Kingdom has joined up with Makerere University Department of Zoology to devise ways of getting all the necessary animals to boost the Expo.

An inspection tour of the spots where animals will be stationed was done and the minister of state for tourism in Buganda Kingdom, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi guaranteed that a great number of the animals that have an attachment to Baganda clans will be presented for those interested in the show to see this time.

During her speech she pointed out that the ministry has introduced a museum for Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II where all the information concerning him will be available for display from his childhood up to date for all viewers.

In order to make the EXPO site more accessible, the Royal trail from Bulange to Mengo palace will be cleared and cleaned. The EXPO centre within the palace has also been worked upon with tarmac to help those who come to see the displays to move faster. This will also make it easier for the traders who will showcase their items during the EXPO.

Dr. Ann Acol of the Department of Zoology, Makerere University suggested the Kingdom should look forward to improving the stations where animals will be positioned to prevent them from suffocating which may lead to the death of these animals.

This exciting but memorable week long EXPO will be formally opened by her majesty Nnaabagereka, Sylvia Nagginda and closed by his Royal Highness the Kabaka. You ought not to miss out on any of these grand days. There will be a corporate Day on 3rd July, a Family Day on Sunday 4th July and afterwards a fundraising dinner for Kasubi tombs restoration on Sunday the 23rd July at Hotel Africana.

Among all the EXPOS that are organized world wide, this is the most exciting and it keeps you wondering about the rich culture that the pearl off Africa has. In this EXPO, even those that are not Ugandans are allowed to exhibit what they have to offer. This time even the Indians will be allowed to exhibit. Do not miss out there exiting dances.
Uganda safari

After  shaking  off most of the negative perceptions that had stopped Uganda’s Tourism industry growth until the late 1990s, the sector has recovered considerably.

The  Uganda tourism sector contributes  8%  of Uganda’s GDP and is seen as one of the sectors with the most promising growth prospects, the government has often kept it on the back burner in its budgeting processes.
Budget estimates for 2010/11 show that the tourism ministry could suffer a budget cut of nearly 20%  from that of the current financial year.

The encroachment on the tourism budget would perhaps not hurt the sector as much if it had not been preceded by encroachment on wildlife protected areas.

Mr 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 destabilises the animals’ habitats eternally.

Mr 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.

Last week, UWA, which 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.

It makes you assured of financial continuity because it is being managed sensibly. Sometimes you cannot always rely on government subsidies or foreign grants so you have to look at several ways of capturing income and managing it sensibly,” she said.

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.

Part of the earnings 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.

Ms Mwanje says 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 neighbouring 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 baske is still small and the priorities are many.”

BY Tanah Hadijah

Uganda safari  News

Dear Tanah!

Thank you for your email!

And no we haven’t received the 2010 rates, so please send them through.

The clients that we sent with you were thrilled – I got an email from them and they had the best time with you guys!

Let me translate their comments to you here:

In Uganda we got a small surprise when we met our driver from Adventure Uganda Safaris. We were not aware that it was a private tour – however that was a really nice surprise. We can truly recommend people travelling with Adventure Uganda Safaris. Our driver Faruk did utmost best to ensure that we had a great 5 day trip in Uganda. We had a fantastic trip to the jungle and got to see the gorillas as close as 1 – 2 meters away. We also got to see the tree climbing lions. Uganda also gave us a lot of cultural experiences and the trip gave us a good impression of every day life in the country.

So as you can see they were very happy.

You will be more than welcome to use us as a referance.

I look forward to receiving the rates and hopefully send more clients your way.

Best regards,

Maria

Hi Tanah-

I hope you are well?

I just thought I would email you my clients feedback for the tour we booked.

Looks like they were really impressed !!!  J

Thanks again for all your help along the way and look forward to dealing with you again !!

Kind regards

Kaye

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Hi Kaye

YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We love Rwanda, you must come here and do EXACTLY our trip. the company you organized were great, the most beautiful lodge, beautiful people. Rwanda is a must do! The gorilla trek was amazing, cant wait to see the pics, we were 3m from the silverback.

xxx

The information minister Fredrick Nyakabwa  disclosed that the repair of the Tooro Kingdom place in Fortportal will be completed in 5 days . The minister stated that engineers are enforcing final touches on the palace to ensure that the 18^th birthday and 15^th Coronation of the Omukama of Tooro finds it completely refurbished which is due on the 16^th of April .

His birthday and coronation this time will be a hand over by the regents whereby he will receive full control over  his Kingdom  now that he has reached the age he  is considered as mature.

Oyo ascended to the throne on September 12, 1995 after the death of his father, Patrick Matthew Olimi Kaboyo II.

The  15^th Coronation will attract over 18 kings and other dignitarie that include;  H.E President Yoweri Museveni, Libyan leader Muamar Gadaffi, the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda who are guardians of the teen king, will attend the event at Karuzika in Fort Portal town.

By Tanah Hadijah

UGANDA SAFARIS

TRAVEL NEWS

Rwanda got another tribute as far as advertising the country’s resources are concerned.

For the 4^th uninterrupted time, Rwanda won the best African exhibitor’s award during the International Tourism fair in Berlin Germany.

The Rwandan government ensures that any chance to market the country is used to the maximum.

Come June 2010, Rwanda will display case its tourism potential at the World cup finals in South Africa. What is outstanding is that Rwanda is amongst the smallest economies in the East African Community only coming second last to Burundi. But its belligerent nature of the approach to business is extraordinary.

Kenya and Tanzania grasp the largest tourism impending in the EAC followed by Uganda but seem to be at ease with the figures tourism is fetching in their coffers.

In setting up tourism as a priority, Rwanda is simply ensuring that any available revenue source is exploited to the maximum. In Uganda for example, tourists are attracted by the variety of flora and fauna although the infrastructure is still poor to enable the country reap maximum benefits from this God-given resource.

Tourists turn up in the wild game reserves but leave for Kenya and Tanzania because of lack of accommodation. Perhaps it is timely that the Uganda government has decided to set up a US$6million project to promote tourism (see Page 24).

This withstanding the EAC as a body should follow Rwanda’s footsteps and step up the gear in investing in tourism promotion. It would be embarrassing for the rest of the region to wake up only to find that what they deemed as a poor member is far above them as regards exploiting natural resources.

Other than attracting visitors a lot of business deals can be struck since a country attractive to tourists is simply regarded peaceful where business can be easily conducted. Apart from tourism promotion, Rwanda has taken steps to make doing business easy. It is possible to register a business in 24 hours which would take a month in other countries while acquiring land can take as little as three days. The EAC must pick from this model and ensure the region moves forward as a whole.

By Tanah Hadijah

Uganda Safaris

About 5  people  won a fully-paid trip  to  five of Uganda’s national parks, courtesy of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Prudence Sekoma, Angel Semakula, Allan Mugisha, Oliver Kasita, and Nicholas Owori  spent their Easter holiday together with their spouses, friends and  family touring Lake Mburo National Park,   Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Kazinga Channel, Rwenzori Mountains and Kibale National Park.

The four-day Easter Wildlife Roadtrip was aimed at promoting domestic tourism.  Kaddu Sebunya of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said the local community can be attracted to love domestic tourism if it is packaged to suit them. He advised the private sector   to develop events and holiday packages that will add value   to the local

.
Moses Mapesa the managing director of UWA said that more such originalities aimed at heartening domestic tourism are in progress, as this would help improve both revenues and wildlife conservation.

The initiative will help Ugandan know their country’s tourism potentials and beauty  because  research has it that many Uganda Locals  have never been to these places and neither do they know what these places have to offer  for local tourists.

By Tanah  Hadijah

Uganda Safaris