Ugandans who are living abroad can now buy a house online. According to the managing director Akright project, the project has unveiled a new package of enabling people working out side Uganda to own a house via Internet. He says this is intended to solve the agony which people face with their relatives who divert the money for houses to their personal interests. Over the years the housing industry in Uganda has improved and is one of the fastest growing sectors in the country today. The expansion of the sector is attributed to government support in macro economic stability creating a good working environment. Tourists coming to tour the pearl of Africa or any other business and would like to rent a house can also get one through the Internet. This project will not only benefit Ugandans overseas but also help boost tourism industry in Uganda.
Bids for publicizing the commonwealth summit have been advertised. The spokesperson of the national taskforce, Mr. Kagole said its not about billboards, but a lot of other things including t-shirts, mugs, key holders, belts, stickers and neckties. The delegates would like souvenirs of the events and the country. He further added that the delegates would want to know where Lebanese restaurants are, or where Hindu food is got. All these will need directions. Tourism stands to benefit from CHOGM, ranging from transportation, accommodation to revenue; CHOGM will also help improve tourism facilities and hence improving Uganda’s image as a great tourism destination in the world.
Airlines rush in for registration in a bid to cash in on the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings. Eight local and international firms dashed to register with Civil Aviation Authority. Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development owns one of the new firms on rush.The head of the Aga Khan Tourism services, said, the airline was expected to start operation in the second quarter of the year. Prof. Wolfgang further added that, there are in the process of establishing the airline, they have not yet decided what name to use for the airline, the company has applied for a license under the name of Meridiana Africa Airline. Aga khan also runs one of the most luxurious hotels in Uganda, Serena hotel and they have also located some of the national parks in the country for tourism facilities development.
Last week was the bad day for the Marabou storks that had hatched their young ones on trees along Jinja road. The City council had been directed to cut trees along the electricity lines, which were home to several Marabou storks. The older Marabou storks including the parents of the young ones patched in the nearby trees while the chicks were helplessly lying under sunshine with no sign for survival. Kampala City Council (KCC) senior Electricity Engineer said, they never intended to hurt the birds but they were told to clear trees near the electric line for safety. Kampala is one of the areas contributing to almost a half of birding safaris in Uganda. Other places where birding can be carried out include Mabira forest, Ssesse Island, Kibale Forest National park and other National Parks, which are habitats for birds.
All the road cash borrowed by the government of Uganda for repairs of infrastructure have been completely utilized; this will truly benefit tourism industry, as city tour will no longer be a problem since all roads will be maintained. The Minister of Works and Transport, Engineer John Nasasira, said, a Road Agency, a Road Fund and a Road Act to establish the Uganda National Road Authority were in the offing and predicted that Uganda’s roads would be pothole-free by 2010. The minister was reacting to the publications at the Government Media Center that out of the money got for roads maintenance, not even a half of the money has been spent instead lying idle in the Ministry without development. According to the minister’s clarification Tourism industry stands to benefit from this development soon. Visitors will not have any problem with poor roads when touring Uganda, commonly known as the pearl of Africa.
Ntungamo employs locals to manage roads as the first of its kind in Uganda. The district pays the communities, recognized as road gangs what would otherwise have been paid to individual contractors for road preservation. The district chairman, John, said this initiative was started as poverty obliteration strategy. He further added that, under the periodic maintenance schedule, there is a period for only bush clearing, and then there are times for filling potholes and specific period for opening channels. The local communities now maintain all roads in Ntungamo district except those handled on periodical management. Ntungamo is one of the districts with potential tourist attractions and it’s a route to Bwindi Impenetrable national Park, Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest lake in Africa with over 25 islands, and generally the route to gorilla regions. This initiative therefore will not benefit only the people in the area but also tourism as a whole will achieve immensely since western Uganda is the main home for tourism activities in the coutry.