UGANDA: Uganda Civil Aviation Authority Sets Tough Conditions For AIrline Licence Applicants

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has set tough conditions to airline companies that applied for licenses to operate local and regional flight services.

According to the aviation body’s Managing Director, Mr David Kakuba, the tough conditions are intended to ensure safety and high standards because worldwide, the industry is highly regulated.

The sector manages risk at almost 100 percent. Therefore, if you want to come and fly in the air space of this country, you must go through very many procedures to be cleared, he said.

He was speaking on Thursday in Kampala, during the Civil Aviation Board Air Services Licensing Committee public hearing session where six companies were defending their applications.

A public hearing session is one of the conditions, where companies have to defend their proposals.

The public is free to raise any objections against the companies that have applied for either new license or renewal of license with the aviation body.

According to David Kakuba, the managing director for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), 48 operators are currently licensed to access Uganda’s airports.

Upon the arrival of Uganda’s aircraft Bombardier CRJ900 into the country on April 23, Lilly Ajarova, the Chief Executive Officer for Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), expressed optimism at the benefits, the carrier was to bring to Uganda’s tourism industry.

Likewise, several aviation operators revealed plans aimed at tapping into Uganda’s improving tourism potential, saying the number of tourists visiting the country, is increasing day by day.

Anthony Njoroge the country manager of AeroLink, noted that the company currently operates three aircraft which fly within different national parks in Uganda.

World over, tourism numbers are increasing and Uganda is one of the key tourist destinations. We, therefore, want to position ourselves for such a viable market, intimated Njoroge.

He added that the planes are chartered to fly tourists to Semuliki national park, Kidepo, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth national park and Bwindi impenetrable forest.

This was during a public hearing of applications for air services licensing which was conducted at Mestil hotel in Kampala, on Thursday where aviation operators were subscribed to public scrutiny, as one of the processes for renewing or acquiring an aviation operating license.

According to David Kakuba, the managing director for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), 48 operators are currently licensed to access Uganda’s airports.

He also noted that some operators have already expressed interest in increasing the number of flights into Uganda, for there carriers.

Every operator must, however, embrace competition which is very stiff in the aviation industry, advised Kakuba.

He, however, intimated that Uganda airlines will be accorded preferential treatment like free office space and exemption from parking charges. As a national airline, its screens shall be used to market Uganda’s tourism sites and destinations, stated Kakuba.

McKenzie Ongwen the chairperson for the licensing board revealed that licensing process has been eased for air service operators in the interest of promoting Uganda’s tourism sector.

When an airplane is fit for flying and has competent and qualified personnel, as well as a certificate of regular maintenance, other processes are easier.

He called upon more air service operators to join Uganda’s aviation industry, saying, there are ongoing expansion works being carried out at Entebbe, Arua, Kabale and Gulu airports.

Meanwhile, Godfrey Kitagenda of AirServ company said, their operations are centered to humanitarian works among which include medical services. He, however, acknowledged the booming tourism industry in Uganda, saying it’s tempting.

According to Ephraim Kamuntu, the minister for tourism, wildlife, and antiquities, Uganda has seen steady growth in tourism, in terms of tourists arrivals, foreign exchange earnings and tourism contribution to Gross Domestic Product(GDP).

Kamuntu said the sector accounted for 7.3 percent of GDP, foreign exchange earnings worth US$1.45bn and more than 600,000 jobs in the year 2017.

Six companies have been shortlisted for licensing to operate local and regional flight services, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has revealed.

Among the airline companies shortlisted is Sun Guru Limited which applied for new licenses to operate private and domestic non-scheduled passenger flight service and Misk Air Limited which applied for domestic non-scheduled passenger flights.

Four companies applied for license renewal and they include; Aero Link, Air Serv Uganda, Premier Services East Africa, and Jobihani Investments. Speaking during the Civil Aviation Board Air Services Licensing Committee public hearing session, where the six companies were defending their applications on Thursday in Kampala, CAA’s Managing Director, David Kakuba said they have set tough conditions for the applicants to ensure safety and high standards because worldwide, the industry is highly regulated.

The sector manages risk at almost 100 percent. Therefore, if you want to come and fly in the air space of this country, you must go through very many procedures to be cleared, he said.

According to Kakuba, a public hearing session is one of the conditions, where companies have to defend their proposals and the public is free to raise any objections against the companies that have applied for either new license or renewal of license with the aviation body.

He said companies interested to operate in Ugandan must have aircrafts which have a valid certificate of air of worthiness, qualified and competent personnel, regular maintenance records, the economic viability of the operation among other requirements.

The shortlisted companies will give competition to the recently revived government-owned Uganda Airlines in the provision of flight services.

On April 23 two Bombardier CRJ900 jets touched down at Entebbe International Airport, marking the official revival of Uganda’s national carrier, which was grounded in 2001.

Vule Airways

Vule Airways Limited, is a privately owned airline in Uganda. Established in March 2017, the airline expects to begin scheduled commercial flights in November 2017.

According to the company website, the corporate headquarters are at 515 Mbogo Road, Kibuli Hill, Kampala, Uganda.

The airline maintains a sales office in the central business district of Kampala, at 13-15 Kimathi Avenue, and another office in southwest London, in the United Kingdom.

As of August 2017, the company is waiting for the award of an air operator's certificate by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).

The company plans to hire 60 employees initially and lease 6 aircraft to provide domestic, regional and international passenger and cargo services.

In August 2017, Ch-aviation reported that Vule Airways had secured an Air Services Licence (ASL) from the Ugandan Civil Aviation Authority.

The company's shares are owned by Ugandans (55 percent) and non-Ugandans (45 percent).

Vule Airways expects to start services to 6 domestic airports. Services will then expand to the regional airports, within the countries of the East African Community.

The company also expects to serve Johannesburg, Tunis and London; services will be expanded as demand grows.

According to the company website, the company expects to lease 6 aircraft, including a one 40-seater Bombardier Dash 8-200, one 78 seater Bombardier Dash Q400, three 128-seater Boeing 737-700 and one 300-seater Boeing 777-200ER.

The six-person board of directors includes the following individuals:

- Robert Mwesigwa Nviiri, the Chairman and Managing Director

- Lameck Nsubuga Mukasa, Company Secretary

- Fixon Akonya Okonye, Director Finance and Administration

- Jones Yosiya Kyazze, Director Public Relations

- Margaret Anne Mazzi Wampamba, Director Marketing

- Perpetua Kabaitira Biraaro, Director Internal Audit.


Tourism Observer

USA: American Tourist Speaks About Her Ordeal With Kidnappers

Kimberly Endicott spoke out for the first time since being kidnapped by armed men during a safari vacation in Uganda three weeks ago.

Endicott and her driver were kidnapped in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park on April 4, and later released after a $500,000 ransom was paid.
Endicott said that the ordeal felt like pure fear.

The American tourist who was kidnapped during a safari vacation in Uganda spoke out about the ordeal three weeks after her abduction.

Kimberly Endicott and her safari driver were kidnapped by four men in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park on April 4.

They were released four days later after a $500,000 ransom was paid.

Endicott said she first thought the men were park rangers carrying guns, but soon realized they were not in uniform.

“They make us get out of the vehicle … they make us sit on the ground and that’s when things go very – I don’t know how to describe it – there’s really not a word to describe what that felt like. Pure fear. But that almost doesn’t do it justice,” Endicott said.

She said that while the men ransacked their vehicle, she and her guide were told to sit on the ground, while an older couple on the tour were told to keep standing.

Then suddenly, Endicott said, she and the guide were whisked off by the men.

It just really, when I think back about it, it felt like, ‘swoosh,’ and that’s it. We’re off, she said.

Her guide was identified as Congolese national Jean-Paul Mirenge Remezo.

Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations.

It spreads over 760 square miles and is home to more than 95 mammal species and more than 600 bird species.

An American tourist who was kidnapped with her driver in a national park in southwestern Uganda has been rescued unharmed, Ugandan police announced Sunday.

Kimberley Sue Endicott, 35, was abducted by gunmen in Queen Elizabeth National Park, near the border with Democratic Republic of Congo, on April 4.

The kidnappers later demanded a ransom of $500,000 for her release. Authorities didn't confirm whether any or all of the ransom had been paid, but sources said that the safari company they were traveling with paid it.

She has been located and rescued unharmed," Uganda military spokesman, Brigadier Richard Karemire said. Ugandan government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said in a tweet that the driver had also been rescued.

The Uganda Media Centre said Wednesday that four armed men kidnapped a woman and a Ugandan driver in park and that officials were conducting a search and rescue operation.

After the two were held at gunpoint, they were taken back to a lodge at the park, a Wild Frontiers Uganda safari operation spokesperson said.

The Ugandan government tweeted Sunday to celebrate the rescue, thanking all security forces involved in the mission. It's unclear what agencies participated.

The park is one of the country's hottest tourist destinations, spreading over 760 square miles and hosting more than 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species.

Ugandan police said in a press release that this is the first incident of its kind in the park and that safety measures have been put in place for local residents and visitors.


Tourism Observer

UGANDA: Ransom Paid, Kidnapped US Tourist And Guide Released. Minister Blames It On Security Lapse.

KIDNAPPED: Kimberly Sue Endicott
Reports in indicate that Kimberly Sue Endicott, an American who was kidnapped for ransom last week in Queen Elizabeth National Park, has been released safely along with her guide Jean Paul Mirenge.

According to US website ABC7.com, “the release came after a ransom was paid and a negotiated handover was conducted. The two kidnap victims returned to a lodge at Queen Elizabeth National Park on Sunday, according to a spokesperson for Wild Frontiers Uganda

The victims of last week’s kidnapping have been recovered alive, said police spokeswoman Polly Namaye later.

Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo confirmed the development, tweeting that the tourist was actually rescued from the DRC. “#Kidnappedtourists Rescued alive from the DRC and brought back safely to #TheWildfrontiersLodge in Uganda.

We want to thank the joint Uganda security forces for the successful operation, he tweeted.

Ugandan security forces have for the past week scoured dense bush between the park and neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in the hunt for the US tourist and her safari guide who were kidnapped by gunmen.

Mike Walker, manager of Wild Frontiers Safaris, said US tourist Kimberly Endicott and experienced guide Jean-Paul Mirenge, were back safe.

Ransom paid and people exchanged, adding that he didn’t know the precise amount yet.

US President Donald Trump, in a tweet, confirmed the news of Endicott’s released.

Pleased to report that the American tourist and tour guide that were abducted in Uganda have been released. God bless them and their families! Trump tweeted

Four kidnappers stopped a group of tourists at gunpoint around dusk on Tuesday as they drove through the Queen Elizabeth National Park on safari to see wild animals.

Police later identified the American as 35-year-old Endicott, and said the kidnappers had later used her mobile telephone to demand a ransom of $500,000 (445,000 euros) for the release of the pair.

Another held was driver and tour guide Mirenge, a 48-year old safari guide with years of experience.

The gunmen dragged the pair from their safari vehicle, but left behind two other tourists, whom police described as an elderly couple. They managed to raise the alarm from the lodge where they were staying.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the East African nation’s most popular wildlife reserves, runs along the frontier with conflict-wracked regions of DR Congo, bordering its famous Virunga national park, the oldest in Africa.

Two other tourists, whom police described as an elderly couple, were present when the gunmen attacked, but were not abducted or physically harmed. They managed to raise the alarm from the lodge where they were staying.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the East African nation’s most famous wildlife reserves, runs along the frontier with conflict-wracked regions of DR Congo, bordering its famous Virunga national park, the oldest in Africa.

Numerous militia groups and armed gangs roam eastern DR Congo. Virunga suspended all tourism activities last year after a ranger was killed and two British tourists kidnapped. The Britons and their driver were freed two days after the attack. The park reopened in February.

The Ugandan park straddles the equator, covering 1,978 square kilometres (764 square miles) in the country’s south west.

It is also about 150 kilometres (90 miles) north of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, famous among tourists for gorilla trekking. Uganda is home to over half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas.

In 1999, Rwandan rebels killed eight foreign tourists there, inflicting an enormous blow to Uganda’s tourist industry.

Tourism is a key industry for Uganda, as a major earner of foreign currency. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit each year.

Army spokesman, Brigadier Richard Karemire, insisted the kidnapping was an isolated incident and that Uganda remains safe for tourists.

Tourism Minister Professor Ephraim Kamuntu has confessed that the kidnap of an American tourist and a Ugandan tour guide was a result of a security lapse by officials of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Kimberly Sue Endicott and her Ugandan tour guide Jean Paul Mirenge were last Tuesday kidnapped at gunpoint during an evening drive on Edward track between Katooke gate and Wilderness Camp in Kanungu district. Their captors demanded a $500,000 (1.8 billion Shillings) ransom.

The two were released on Sunday evening after what the Ugandan government describes as a joint rescue operation by its security agencies.

In a brief to the media in Masaka, Minister Kamuntu said that the kidnap from Queen Elizabeth National Park was due to a management lapse by the Uganda Wildlife Authority-UWA rangers who he says failed to guide the tourists on the appropriate times when such drives are done.

According to Kamuntu, the tourists arrived at the National park late in the evening and accordingly convinced the guides to take a night tour which is against the practices of their operation.

He insisted that by allowing to relax their guidelines, the UWA guides unsuspectingly fell into a trap.

He described this as an isolated incident which should not bother prospective tourists to the country.

Kamuntu has also pleaded with both local and international tourists not to be scared by the incident, saying the national security agencies are ready to jointly provide them with the required security.

Sam Mwandha, the Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority, says they have picked lessons from the incident, which are going to be translated into tasks to further improve the security in the national parks to guarantee the safety of the visitors.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola was Monday due to hand over Kimberly to the US embassy in Nsambya.

A convoy of US Embassy vehicles and police directors among others Assistant Inspector General of Police-AIGP, Abbas Byakagaba and Police Chief Political Commissar, Asan Kasingye, arrived at the police headquarters soon after midday.

The convoy parked outside the IGP's wing where Kimberly accompanied by three other officials from the US Embassy proceeded to IGP's office for a meeting.Thereafter the convoy headed to the US Embassy.

Sources at police headquarters said among those waiting to receive Kimberly is an elderly couple, Martin Julius and his wife Barbel who were left stranded in Queen Elizabeth National Park when the kidnappers varnished with keys of the vehicle, which the group was using.

Earlier, Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga denied claims that the kidnappers released Kimbley after receiving ransom from his family.

As police we don't give ransom and if ransom was paid to kidnappers that can be clarified by his family, Enanga said.

Sources said Kimberly's kidnappers received US $30,000 about Shillings 100m. According to sources, after receiving the money, the kidnappers called Wild Frontiers Safaris Uganda and directed its workers where to find Kimberly and Remezo.

However, Enanga insisted that kidnappers released the victims after elite forces resolved to attack their hideout.


Tourism Observer

UGANDA: Poachers To Be Sentenced To 20 Years Or Finned $60,000

As elephant population rises in Uganda, registering one of the high rising elephant populations in Africa, government is instituting measures to jealously guard these endangered spices.

Among the new ‘tough measures’ to be included in the amended Uganda Wild Life Act are maximum jail terms of up to 20 years and fines ranging up to UGX 200 million (USD 60,000) for poachers.

The Investigator has established that the motion amending the Wild Life Act is ready for tabling on the floor of parliament. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Executive Director Dr. Andrew Seguya confirmed that the bill is already at the first Parliamentary Council.

Uganda has been hailed the world over for protection of elephants amidst their decrease in the continent. According to recent statistics of Aerial surveys seen by The Investigator, elephant populations in Uganda’s national parks have shown tremendous increase. The surveys were done across Africa by the Wild Life Conservation Society and the Uganda Wildlife Authority with funding from Paul G Allen as part of the Great Elephant Census.

“It is very encouraging to see elephant numbers increasing in Uganda as a result of effective protection in several parks, despite the rampant poaching and ivory trafficking across much of Africa,” said Dr Paul Elkan, a WCS Senior Conservationist involved in the surveys.

We can report that basing on Paul Elkans’ recommendation, government is not sitting back but strengthening more tight measures for elephant protections. Elikan said after the survey: “The strong Ugandan Government leadership, targeted investment in field based anti-poaching and anti-trafficking action, and trans-boundary elephant protection efforts will be critical to these sustaining efforts and addressing the poaching problems in Queen Elizabeth.” In 2015 Uganda faced one of the highest deaths of elephants in recent years due to poaching with poachers killing 6 elephants in Queen Elizabeth National Park alone.

According to Andrew Seguya, Uganda’s elephant numbers plummeted in the 1970s and 1980s because of widespread poaching and limited resources for the then Uganda National Parks. Elephants became confined to protected areas due to poaching pressures and numbers dropped drastically.

“But with improved protection since the 1990s and the creation of UWA, together with support from Government, donors, and conservation partners, elephant numbers have now increased to over 5,000,” said Seguya. According to the recent aerial surveys, there at close to 2000 elephants in Murchison falls National Park alone while Queen Elizabeth National Park has close to 3000 elephants.

Seguya attributes the increase in elephant population in Murchison Falls National Park to increased vigilance by the rangers and tight boundary controls. Uganda was labeled by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) in 2012 as one of the eight countries of primary concern in the ivory trade because of the volume of illegal ivory that had passed through Uganda.

While it is encouraging that elephant numbers are increasing, poaching remains a big challenge in Uganda and there is a need to remain vigilant. The discovery of illegally killed elephants in Queen Elizabeth Park recently means that Uganda is still not completely secure from poaching but the new survey results provide encouragement for conservationists when nearly every other country in Africa is showing drastic declines in numbers of elephants.

Elephants’ biggest enemies are the poachers (illegal hunters) who hunt it for its lucrative ivory. The current Act has weak laws and minimal fines for poachers. Government has through UWA amended the Act to have the poachers deterred due to the tight laws.

Under the new amended Act, poachers (illegal hunters) caught will be sentenced to pro-longed jail terms ranging up to 20 years. While fines will be increased from the current UGX 1 million (USD250) to UGX 200m (USD$60,000)

Stiffer punishments also await those involved in the illegal trade of wildlife products. The Investigator has learnt that under the proposed new wildlife Act any vehicle or cars used in transportation of ivory or wildlife products and any house or building used to keep or store the contraband will be surrendered to the state. Tourism State Minister Godfrey Ssubi Kiwanda acknowledged that the current Act needs amendment to address the poachers.

While meeting district leaders and parliamentarians from districts boarding the Murchison Falls National Park of Masindi, Nwoya, Kiryadongo, Bullisa, Nebbi and Oyam Kiwanda urged the leaders to engage their communities in desisting from poaching and encroaching on gazette park lands.

“As government plans to engage the surrounding park communities into better livelihoods and economic well being, we appeal that you (leaders) talk to them to desist from poaching,” said Kiwanda.

The leaders who included; Buliisa MP Stephen Mukitale Birahwa, Masindi Woman MP Jalia Bintu, Ongiertho Emmanuel (Jonam MP), Byahuka Geofrey Matongo the Bullisa district Vice chairperson and Simon Agaba Kinene the Buliisa district chairperson urged government to improve on the insfrastructure with and outside the parks so as to engage the locals better.

Tourism State Minister Kiwanda appealed to the leaders to sweet-talk the communities to reveal where they get their snares and poaching gears. “We are ready for peace talks. Lets engage the small scale industries making these traps, help us,” said Kiwanda.

UWA boss Dr. Andrew Seguya noted the in three years they (UWA) had seized over 7 tons of snares from poachers in Murchison Falls National Park alone.

“We have over seven tones of illegal gear used to trap wild animals in the park. We shall dispose them off as scrap to metal recycling. Others like wires that cannot be recycled will be cut into small pieces and buried,” said Seguya. He said the confiscation of such a huge volume of poaching gear had led to the reduction of illegal killing of wild animals in the park.

UWA assistant director, Murchison Falls Conservation Area, Tom Obong Okello said after the procurement process has been cleared the seized gears will be escorted to the recycling plants in Jinja by UWA guards to avoid them sneaking back into the community hands.

UGANDA: Uganda Expects To Earn $700M From Bird Watching Tourists

Uganda, home to more than half of Africa’s bird population, seeks to earn over $700 million from its rich birding variety over the next decade, government officials said during the Africa Birding Expo held in Entebbe from 18-21 November.

The East African nation hosted the event for the first time at Botanical Gardens in Entebbe and hopes to use the show to increase its tourism revenue. Tourism currently contributes about 10 percent of the country’s GDP.

“We have more birds than U.S. and Europe combined but they earn more than us. We are targeting 100,000 birders who will bring in $700 million a year in the next 10 years,” New Vision quoted Stephen Asiimwe, the chief executive officer of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), saying.

The event which attracted over 100 exhibitors from Africa and across the world, is organized by UTB and Uganda Safari Guides and funded by the World Bank in efforts to showcase the country’s vast bird heritage.

Uganda has over 1,000 bird species but its tourism numbers are about 500 visitors every year, paltry figures compared to other nations like the U.S., which attracts about 17 million bird watchers every year despite its paltry number of species.

The East African nation has about 10 percent of the world’s bird population.

Some of the most sought-after birds in Africa that are found in Uganda include Shoebill, Fox’s weaver, Black bee-eater, Rwenzori Turaco and the Green-breasted pitta, which are mainly found in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Ichuya Forest and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, found in the western region of East Africa’s second biggest economy has over 600 species, the highest for any protected area across the continent.

The Ugandan government is increasing its efforts to tap more earnings from this rich bird diversity, through extensive training of its bird guides, developing infrastructure to help tourists access the birds easily and improved marketing of sector as a major tourism attraction product.

UGANDA: Targeting 100,000 Birders Who Will Bring $700 million A Year In Next 10 Years

Uganda, home to more than half of Africa’s bird population, seeks to earn over $700 million from its rich birding variety over the next decade, government officials said during the Africa Birding Expo held in Entebbe from 18-21 November.

The East African nation hosted the event for the first time at Botanical Gardens in Entebbe and hopes to use the show to increase its tourism revenue. Tourism currently contributes about 10 percent of the country’s GDP.

“We have more birds than U.S. and Europe combined but they earn more than us. We are targeting 100,000 birders who will bring in $700 million a year in the next 10 years,” New Vision quoted Stephen Asiimwe, the chief executive officer of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), saying.

The event which attracted over 100 exhibitors from Africa and across the world, is organized by UTB and Uganda Safari Guides and funded by the World Bank in efforts to showcase the country’s vast bird heritage.

Uganda has over 1,000 bird species but its tourism numbers are about 500 visitors every year, paltry figures compared to other nations like the U.S., which attracts about 17 million bird watchers every year despite its paltry number of species.

The East African nation has about 10 percent of the world’s bird population.

Some of the most sought-after birds in Africa that are found in Uganda include Shoebill, Fox’s weaver, Black bee-eater, Rwenzori Turaco and the Green-breasted pitta, which are mainly found in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Ichuya Forest and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, found in the western region of East Africa’s second biggest economy has over 600 species, the highest for any protected area across the continent.

UGANDA: African Birding Expo

The African Birding Expo will be attended by a whole spectrum of the birdwatching community within and outside Africa. There will be stands selling products related to birdwatching and nature conservation. These will include, scopes, binoculars, guide books, tours, foods, clothes, and any other related equipment. There will be tour operators, hoteliers, conservation organizations, travel agents, airlines. This event happens once in Africa every year.

Activities
- Post and pre-expo tours
- Lectures
- Talk shows
- Exhibition
- Entertainments.

Other places to visit:
- Botanical Gardens, Entebbe
- Uganda Wildlife Education Center, Entebbe
- Mabamba Bay, Wakiso
- Mabira Forest, Jinja Road
- Mpanga Forest, Masaka Road
- Ssese Islands,
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Queen Elizabeth National Park

UGANDA: Poachers Kill 6 Elephants

Six elephants were killed by poachers in Queen Elizabeth National Park in September, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has said, describing it as a setback in efforts to conserve the animals that are facing extinction.

The manager Queen Elizabeth protected area, Mr Nelson Guma, said the killing of the animals is a big loss, especially at a time when the wildlife conservation body is seeking to promote tourism.

Mr Guma expressed concern over the rising number of poachers who use firearms in the country’s most visited game reserve. He said the attackers target ivory whose demand has increased on both local and international markets.

“We have lost many elephants and this activity (armed poaching) puts at risk my rangers who are found in the park. This is a very big challenge and a threat to the park,” he said during an end of year staff party last week.

“Those who come with guns into the park have come to wage war against us. But rules of engagement will apply and those found with firewood or grazing animals, we shall prosecute them,” Mr Guma added.

The conservation manager also accused politicians of supporting poachers, alleging that they accuse UWA officials of killing people with impunity in the park.

“As I speak, two of my staff are in prison on allegations that 30 people in Kasese disappeared in the park recently. As UWA, we are concerned about the allegations and the negative propaganda.”

He said they are ready to negotiate with the communities who claim their land was encroached on by UWA such as those in Katunguru and Kahendero.

The national park spans Kasese, Mitooma, Rukungiri, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Ibanda and Rubirizi districts in western Uganda.

The Rubirizi Resident District Commissioner, Mr Joseph Kule Muranga, who was the chief guest at the staff party, said RDCs, district police commanders and district security officers in the seven districts discussed the security of wild animals in the park following the death of the elephants.

Although, Uganda has made progress in fighting poaching, the practice still goes on. In 2013, President Museveni ordered the UPDF and the Uganda Wildlife Authority to shoot on sight any poacher found in a national park.

The President gave the directive in Kidepo while the national park was marking 50 years of existence.

UGANDA: Ostriches, Uganda Kobs, Lions And Zebras Poached

A new audit of wildlife populations in game parks shows that the number of animals is on a sharp decline, raising fears of a possible extinction of some rare species.
Last year alone, 25 elephants were killed in Murchison Falls, which is the worst scenario ever reported in a single conservation area, considering that Uganda was previously losing around three elephants only to poaching every year.

“The population of some wild animals is declining,” the Auditor General said.
“Mostly affected are the lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, whose population has reduced by 81 per cent, followed by ostriches (79 per cent), Zebras (74 per cent) and Uganda Kobs (69 per cent), among others”.

Currently, tourism contributes about 5.7 per cent of the national Gross Domestic Product per annum. The World Travel and Tourism Council figures further show that the total contribution of travel and tourism to Uganda’s GDP, including its wider economic impacts, is forecast to rise by 5.9 per cent per annum from Shs3.3 trillion, which is 7.6 per cent of GDP this year, to Shs5.8 trillion and 7.4 per cent GDP contribution by 2021.

With limited research, Auditor General John Muwanga said it is difficult to fully understand the range of factors that affect wildlife populations and habitats and the relationship between them.
“Catastrophic death and reduction in numbers of animals such as the Uganda Kob in Queen Elizabeth National Park and similar incidences in other parks has occurred without finding the root cause,” Mr Muwanga said.

In attempting to understand why wild animals were declining, the audit found that for the last three years, illegal activities inside the protected areas such as encroachment, especially in East Madi Wildlife Reserve and Mt. Elgon National Park, poaching and illegal harvesting of resources have significantly increased. This in a way affected the natural habitat of wildlife.
“Some species such as the black and white rhino, Derbys and Oryx have since become extinct in Uganda.” Mr Muwanga said.

The Roan and Bridget’s gazelle are some of the animals that are listed as endangered, with low populations from the last count in 1998. “These species, both combined, are less than 110 in number,” he said.

The latest findings contained in the value for money audit by the Auditor General provide further evidence that Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a statutory body mandated to protect flora and fauna across the country, is failing to accomplish the task of preserving the remnant of the country’s endangered species.

UWA derives its mandate from the Uganda Wildlife Act 2000. The Act mandates UWA to manage all the country’s wildlife and wildlife-protected areas, which include 10 national parks and 12 wildlife reserves.

UWA is also responsible for ensuring the coordination, monitoring and supervision of the activities related to wildlife management in the country. In his defence, UWA Executive Director Andrew Sseguya told auditors that there was need for government to increase funding to UWA and create an independent wildlife research body to compliment and support its functions as is the case in other countries.

Protection plans
Currently, UWA requires about 3,300 rangers to adequately cover the entire wildlife estate in the country but at the moment has about 1,200 rangers. “UWA is currently overwhelmed by other wildlife management issues resulting in limited concentration on research as a function of management,” Dr Sseguya said.

“The Wildlife Policy under review has already identified this need and is providing for the creation of a Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute to address the wildlife research and training gaps in the sector.”

To ensure wildlife protection, UWA was to develop fire management plans for each protected area, have an effective ranger density to counter threats of game poaching and illegal activities in and around the protected areas, develop and maintain relevant infrastructure within the areas, protect the wildlife habitat, reduce the threat of invasive species, and enlist the support of the communities surrounding the game parks.

However, the audit established that UWA was not effectively protecting the wildlife in and around the protected areas. UWA said the total encroached area in Mt. Elgon is only 6,000 hectares and most of this is under contention with court cases and injunctions that make it difficult for UWA to address.

Once the court process is completed, UWA said all encroached areas will be reclaimed.
Meanwhile, the Auditor General observed that the animals have also become a nuisance to the local populace.

They destroy crops, kill humans and livestock. As a result, this has created conflict between the communities neighbouring the park and wildlife officials, thus hurting UWA’s community conservation initiatives.