Uganda Gorilla Safaris, Uganda Tour News

 
Following the forth coming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) a number of hotels have set high charges for accommodation in hope for citing high investment costs, the tourism state minister Serapio Rukundo said. The minister further added that we have challenges of cost escalation by hotels. It is important that the costs are comparable in the region. Negotiations with hotel managers to reduce the prices were going on, the minister said.

Following the forth coming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) a number of hotels have set high charges for accommodation in hope for citing high investment costs, the tourism state minister Serapio Rukundo said. The minister further added that we have challenges of cost escalation by hotels. It is important that the costs are comparable in the region. Negotiations with hotel managers to reduce the prices were going on, the minister said.  This was an update about the readiness of hotels for CHOGM given by Runkundo. The progress on Speke Resort Munyonyo that would accommodate heads of state is reasonable. Serena Hotel and Golf Course hotels would accommodate foreign affairs ministers, while the media would be housed at the Imperial Royal Hotel. The people’s forum will be held at Hotel Africana, while Imperial Resort Beach Hotel would host the youth forum. However THE minister added that the sector was still weighed down by the late completion of structures.the director of Tourism industry Blandina Nshakira when viewed said that hotels whose rates had been negotiated with the Government would be posted on the CHOGM website soon. The minister further added that there are speculation with some hotels trying to take advantage of CHOGM. Their investments can’t be recouped in a few days. All rates will be put on the site reasonable enough according to the rating of hotels
 
 According to Nshakira, the choice of accommodation will depend on the visitors with some from the neighbouring countries opting to stay with families or friends. People are free to book hotels of their choice but they have to be carefull with the hotel whose rates will not appear in the CHOGM websites.
 
The summit will help boost tourism in Uganda. Tourism areas like  Bulago Island, Ngamba Island for chimpanzee sanctuary, Queen Elizabeth National Park and most likely the source of the Nile. These are one of the important places in the heart of the country that depicts the natural world and home for different species of birds for birding safaris and other wild fauna.
 
Stella Achen
 
 
 
 

As the summit is moving closer Entebbe International Airport has so far completed 70% of the renovations in preparation for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) due November.  The Project that begun earlier 2007 included expansion of the airport, arrival hall, refurbishment of the departure concourse, installation of passenger bridges, construction of the Very Very Important People (VVIP) lounge and the domestic passenger terminal and installation of an air space management radar.

The deputy-managing director CAA, Dr Rama Makuza, said the projects were part of a 20-year master plan for the airport, but were rushed due to CHOGM and to meet the deadline for the summit
Rama Makuza added that the projects are expected to ensure separation of domestic from international passengers in line with international requirements. However, although work on the new parking apron has so far progressed by 57%, the facility will only be able to accommodate 20 planes of heads of states. More space will be created at the airport terminal and the old airport. Sources said Entebbe International Airport can’ not handle a concord plane, which is the official transport for the queen.

 
According to the Public Relations officer of CAA, the Airport is undoubtedly the main gateway to Uganda. Over 90% of the delegates coming for CHOGM will have to go through Airport one of the objective of the meetings is to showcase Uganda as a country with capacity to host such meeting as well as promoting tourism in Uganda. The airport has the necessary capacity; gross traffic projections of up to 2022 were made. There is only the expansion of minimum space, which already started in September 2006. This will include physical expansion for the area; repairing the floor, the ceiling, air conditioning and introducing new baggage reclaim belts that will all be ready soon. Security will be at its best during CHOGM, which were worked on already.
 
CHOGM will not only benefit Ugandans but tourists who will visit the country after the summit. Some of the national parks were identified for lodges and hotel development that will help improve tourism facilities in Uganda. Potholes in the City will no longer disrupt urban tours as well as Uganda tour circuit as one explores the pearl of Africa.
 
Stella Achen