Ugandan government sent a team of delegates on a consultative visit to Malta, the organizers of the previous summit as part of the struggle to make the Kampala forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting an accomplishment. The delegation held discussions and meetings with a figure of Maltese technical experts responsible for information and communication technology services deployed during the last summit in Malta 2005. Commonwealth Summit commonly known CHOGM is due to take place from 23rd to 25th November this year 2007. A lot has been achieved so far due to CHOGM; transportation will no longer be a problem for those who would love to tour the pearl of Africa. Accommodation facilities in Kampala have also been improved, also due to the forthcoming summit, some National Parks have been identified for lodges’ development. All these will help improve tourism industry and Uganda by the year 2010 will have to compete with the rest of the world favorably.
Kasese district to be blessed when her airfield is upgraded to international standards, Construction work for the development started last month in enthusiasm for the Commonwealth summit due 23rd to 25th November this year. Kasese is likely to host high merit people during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting few months to come. It is expected that Her Majesty, the Queen of England might visit some of the national parks in the Country, Igundura Civil Aviation Authority’s manager in charge of public affairs told journalists.
Besides Queen Elizabeth National, the delegates are also expected to visit Source of the Nile in Jinja and others as they explore the pearl of Africa.
There is a figure of complain that the Immigration officials in Uganda are harassing tourists and hampering their stay in the country. ‘We are harassed’, one Canadian tourist lamented. But is it true? Tourists claimed that the immigration office in Kampala retains their passport for days when they apply for an extension of their stay in the country. However, the Immigration Department dismissed the allegation saying the authentic tourists are suitably served and that in cases where passports are retained for extension receipt documents, which allow the tourists’ movement as he or she waits are issued. Uganda’s name ‘the pearl of Africa’ is not only because of the wildlife in the National Parks, but the people in the country; their hospitality and warm welcome to stranger’s attributes greatly to Uganda’s name, the pearl of Africa.
The police embarked on training its personnel last year 2006 in the preparation for Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting scheduled November this year. Police outriders and drivers went vigorous training at Kololo airstrip for over a week to strengthen their will. While another group was said to be undergoing intensive training for VIP protection at Monyonyo, some criminal investigation department personnel were trained as well in crime detection. Police spokes person Ochom, confirmed that the exercise was part of a wider training programme ahead of CHOGM. Since days are moving nearer and nearer, will police still carry out further training in preparation for CHOGM? Several developments is going and approaching to get done; the state house in Entebbe and several hotels such as Sheraton hotel, Grand Imperial, Hotel equatorial and Speke Resort Munyonyo have been renovated. New ones have sprung up around Kampala to host 53 Heads of States expected at the meeting. Uganda by 2010 will be one of the tourist’s destinations not to be missed. Quality facilities in terms of hotels and lodges both within the Ugandan capital and national parks are coming up. What else, the country is known for its wild flora and fauna, and the hospitality of its people the reason why it’s commonly known as the pearl of Africa.
There is going concern about the destiny of forestland in Mabira and Bugala reserves reflecting growing awareness of the dangers facing Uganda and her environment. Mabira forest and Bugala reserves are one of the centers of birding activities in Uganda, tourism being a hot cake today.
Mabira forest has over 300 species of birds, some of them endangered like the Nahans francolin and the Papyrus gonolek. Mabira forest also have plants with medicinal value, some of them used by local communities to treat ailments likes impotence and heart diseases. Mabira forest is one of the reservations for Uganda tour circuit. While Bugala Island is one of the biggest Islands in Uganda where birding activities and other interesting ones like fishing is done in the country.
Let the human needs do not simply exceed the ability to respond positively to the environmental warnings. If the survival of humanity in Uganda depends on the countries remaining forests, like the issue of Sugar. Must the forestland of Mabira and Bugala reserves depleted in the name of sugar. Sugar, which is claimed not enough in Uganda approximately more than 60% of the population survive in rural areas without even knowing whether sugar or tea exists on this planet. Lets all humanity around the world over join hands to ensure the survival of the remaining forests. People talk of global heating, but what has been done on the ground. In the past tropical forest in Asia, Africa and Latin America covered about 12% of the land’s surface. At present, they cover only 6%, and they will descend on this trend if at all even a small country like Uganda is to give away its natural blessings.
Marystella
Uganda and the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) received support from counterpart International to fund the first ever Africa Media Exchange as part of the 4th IIPT Africa conference on peace through tourism. The Excellency, President Yoweri Museveni in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism Trade and Industry will host this event in May 2007. A press statement from counterpart International says the Africa media exchange will bring together notable journalists from Africa, Europe and North America. The aim of the exchange is to encourage increased media coverage and international awareness of Africa rich variety of sustainable tourism initiatives and projects. This programme was first launched in Jamaica in 2001 to provide valuable learning experience on tourism and media. Restoring Uganda to its former glory will also be made possible through this programme. Tourism Media will further help in improving Uganda’s tourism image to the outside world to know that Uganda of today is not Uganda during Amins regime. Uganda to today is the place to be, nature walks, quad bike riding, white water rafting, all game parks activities and religious tourism is one of the activities to be carried out in the country. Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park known for mountain gorillas, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison fall, Kidepo Valley for all the wild flora and fauna.
Claims are that there is no single disease, be it a skin rash, fever, Joint pains or cancer among others that cannot be cured at the Kitagata Hot Spring. Visiting Kitagata is like going to a referral hospital. Seeing people both men and women cutting across all ages who are almost naked in water in pond like formation is the first sign that you have arrived at the healing place. Kitagata is vernacular ward meaning warmth. Due to the popularity of the spring both the village and the sub county is also known as kitagata in the western Uganda. The hot spring has attracted many visitors who throng the area to experience the curing power of the water that burbles from the ground. Patients at kitagata drink and bath with the spring water twice a day. They take turns to immerse themselves in the spring water so as to get healed. According to the guide at the Hot spring, the morning session is shorter because when the heat increases, the water gets hotter and uncomfortable for bathing. The pearl of Africa is where beauty transcends from wild flora and fauna to culture.
The World back last year earmarked millions of US Dollars to facilitate Rwanda’s Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS). The money was allocated for budget support, ICT development through the E-Rwanda program, the Lake Kivu Methane gas project, the fight against HIV/Aids and rehabilitation of the Kigali Ruhengeri road for the promotion of gorilla tourism in Rwanda as well. Rwanda is preparing its Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy to be finalized this year. Based on the EDPRS, the next Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) 2008-2012 will be prepared jointly with DFID and will be presented to the World Bank of Directors in fiscal 2008. This Interim Strategy Note (ISN) will cover the period 2007-2008 and will there fore bridge the gap between the two full CASs to enable the alignment of Bank assistance with the EDPRS.
In the last decade, the Rwandan government has embarked on a comprehensive liberation of its economy, initiated legislation reform, promoted trade and pursued regional integration. The current assistance strategy supported the Rwandese government in undertaking key reforms to promote progress in meeting targets in the social sectors and an improved economic environment. This will create great opportunity for the great gorilla region for further development.