Tourism players call for life imprisonment of poachers

Elephants cross the road in Murchison Falls National Park. They are among the most endangered species, usually killed for their ivory. 

Tourism industry players want life imprisonment introduced in the Wildlife Act in order to curb poaching and illicit trade in wildlife products. They say such activities are threatening some wildlife species.

The most endangered animal species are elephants and rhinos which are killed for their ivory and horns respectively to supply a booming business in South East Asia.
Speaking in Kampala last week, the Association of Uganda Tour Operators chairman, Mr Bonifence Byamukama, said the current penalties for illicit trade in wildlife parts are no longer deterrent enough, thus the need for tougher penalties.

Trivial fines
Currently, it is the judge who decides the penalty for poachers, some of them walking away with trivial fines which cannot stop them from dealing in the lucrative business.

The proposed Wildlife Act amendments currently before Cabinet seek to close loopholes in the current Act and also streamline the operations of oil exploration in line with wildlife existence and environmental conservation.

Mr Byamukama further said the Act should put in place strong measures to curb encroachment on national parks, clearly define the UgandaTourism Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority mandates, provide for private sector interests as far as conservation is concerned and clearly stipulate how communities around national parks can benefit more from the protected areas.

Museveni calls for shooting of poachers
President Yoweri Museveni recently gave the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and the Uganda Wildlife Authority the go-ahead 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.
His directive came after complaints from State Minister for Karamoja Babra Nekesa Oundo, who said poaching is still a key problem affecting the national parks including Kidepo

Mr Museveni was concerned that tourism, which earned Uganda about $1.3billion (about Shs3.3 trillion) last year and had attracted more than 1.5 million visitors was not respected by armed poachers.

By Bruce Amp

My thrilling Journey to see the Chimps

Ngamba Island is a safe haven for chimpanzees – 95% of it is a Chimpanzee sanctuary. The environment meets the social, psychological and physical needs of the primates.

I was anxious the night before I travelled to Ngamba Island. The thought of sitting in a boat and crossing Lake Victoria freaked me out. I had never thought I would travel on water because I have a phobia for it. What would happen if the boat capsized, yet I cannot swim? This question kept rolling over in my mind. I had second thought about the trip, but the company of my friends encouraged me.

The trip was organized by a DHL team and I was invited along by a maintenance work at the sanctuary. We boarded a bus to the Uganda WildlifeEducation Center (UWEC) in Entebbe, where we met Lilly Ajarova, the executive director at Chimpanzee wildlife Sanctuary and Conservation Trust, who briefed us about the trip. We walked to the shores of Lake Victoria, where we boarded two boats. Immediately after stepping into the boat, I closed my eyes because I did not want to see the water. A friend seated next to me noticed my fear and told me to relax. I opened my eyes and pretended to be calm.

Our group was jolly, keeping the conversation and laughter flowing. But I was quiet for the better part of the journey, only praying for a safe return. Halfway into the journey, the boat engine went silent. My heart beat increased. I wondered whether we had run out of fuel or whether the boat had a mechanical problem. I latter realized that it was Ajarova who had instructs the switching off of the engine because there was some communication she wanted to make. “We are crossing from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere we are about to reach Ngamba Island,” she said. Shortly after, the driver switched on the engine again and continued with the journey.

We hit some huge waves, and the boat swayed dramatically. I opened my eyes wide, afraid that my time had come. But the rest of the group seemed unmoved, happily enjoying the motion. For about 30 minutes, the boat rocked continuously and I felt dizzy and nauseous. I developed headache and felt sleepy. To my relief, we were soon at Ngamba Island at around 11: 30am. The breeze was simply beautiful and nature gave it freely. A caretaker at the island showed us areas of tourism interest before we took a break to have lunch. After lunch, we engaged in different activities. In the evening at around 5: 30pm, we boarded the boat back to Entebbe. The journey back was easier since the water was calm.

THE ISLAND

Ngamba Island was purchased in 1997. The sanctuary integrates the conservation of chimpanzees with community development projects. Chimpanzees at Ngamba live in a safe environment that meets their social, psychological and physical needs. Ngamba Island suits on a square kilometer of tropical rain forest. Approximately, 95% of this island is a chimpanzee habitat, with 5% set aside as an eco friendly workers village, veterinary facilities and tourist areas. This Chimpanzee sanctuary is committed to encouraging sustainable living on Lake Victoria. At the island, you have a unique opportunity of viewing chimpanzees up close in their natural environment. The pre arranged supplementary feeding times are at 11: 00 am and 3: 00pm every day, so the chimpanzees come with meters of the raised walkways designed for easy viewing. This also provides excellent photographic opportunities.

PREFERRED HABITAT

Chimpanzees’ regular habitat is in tropical rain forests to woodland savanna and grasslands. Chimpanzees are currently found 21 African countries from the west coast of the continent to Western Uganda, Rwanda,Burundi, and Tanzania. The greatest population of the chimpanzees is located in the rain forests along the equator. They can also be found in open woodlands, bamboo forests, swamp forests and even swamp savanna, where there are some forested areas. In savanna areas, they rarely venture far into the grassland, except to move from one forest patch to another. Ajarova says chimpanzees have a life span of 40 to 45 years in wild and 50 to 60years in captivity. 

By Bruce Amp

Uganda among top hospitality investment destinations in the region

Uganda and Ethiopia have overtaken Kenya as key investment destinations for global hotel chains scouting for opportunities in the region. 

The two nations feature on the top five list, whose hotel sectors are expected to receive huge investments in sub-Saharan Africa, alongside Nigeria, Angola and Ghana, the Kenyan Standard has reported.

  A new report ranking countries according to the number of jobs that new investments in the hotel sector will create this year puts Nigeria as the hottest spot for investors in the hotel industry.

The survey by W Hospitality Group is based on the number of signed contracts by international and regional brands as well as smaller non-branded hoteliers.

 “Nigeria leads the way in sub-Saharan Africa with the creation of 53,000 jobs. It is followed by Ghana with 11,000 and Angola (9,000), Ethiopia (8,800) and Uganda with 8,500,” said W Hospitality Group Managing Director Trevor Ward.

 “In Sub Saharan Africa, growth is forecast to be a much faster 23 per cent.” “Where there are fewer people with hospitality industry experience, HPA anticipates three major trends; an influx of top management from abroad, a war for talented middle management and substantial investment in training programmes,” he said.

By Bruce Amp

Ndere centre, where African culture is very alive

Ndere troupe managing director, treating the audience to humorous oral literature. 

Come Sunday evening and one would be excused to take a second look at their own complexion in the mirror to confirm their colour. This is after it dawns on you that, without a visa to UK or USA, you are sandwiched in a sea of Europeans, hearing "wao" exclamations and foreign accents.

This left me wondering if Nderetroupe cultural centre management has bothered to attract nationals to restore their pride in their cultures. Or have they gone out to the countryside to perform.

Located in Kisasi, guests are fast and furiously treated to music, dance, drama and oral literature.
Echoing The Heart Beat of Africa of the 1970s, which was the brain child of celebrated song bird Okot P’Bitek, Ndere troupe has gone a step further to construct a theatre where all its activities take place.

The gardens are well manicured with lots of trees teaming with birds, lizards, insects and monkeys.
“Vibrant,” “exhilarating" and "amazing” was the chorus I heard roll off the lips of an impressed audience as they showcased different cultural dance styles.

Practically the breath of the audience was taken away. While there, I had my pride in our culture restored by the director, Steven Rwangyenzi.
For those cultural tourists without the time or cash, here you get an eagle’s eye view of more than 60 different dress codes, a diversity of dance strokes, cuisines and languages.
Comical Rwangyenzi cracks the audience’s ribs with laughter when he recounts the difficulties brought to Africa by colonialism.

“One old man returned home only to be told he could not have conjugal rights with his wife,” narrates Rwangyezi. “The problem was that a half of their property fell in DR Congo and a portion in Uganda.
So he needed to apply for visa to get to where his wife was!”

The audience is heard complaining about the Almighty toppling all the small gods that used to be in charge of romance, wealth, good luck, thunder, rain and fire.

“The Almighty has his hands full,” said John Kintu in the excited audience. “Specialisation eases service delivery. That is why people are resorting to worshiping wealth instead of God. They argue that when you have money you dash to a supermarket and purchase what you want not having to wait till eternity.”

For more than 25 years, Ndere has been the cultural ambassador of Uganda.

This oral literature punctuates vigorous dance strokes comprising Rarakaraka, Nankasa, Kadodi and Entole. 
Most of the dances exhibit erotic movements around the waistline and in the face.

As the moon and the stars shine in the sky, guests dine and wine as if there is no tomorrow. The costumes are beautiful and colourful.

Every first Friday of the month, this is an ideal destination for a cultural night where you may stumble into Kabaka Mutebi, Rwakirabasaijja Oyo Nyimba, Rwot Onen Ocan or Otekat.

Entry fee is sh20,000 and a beer goes for sh5000. Dinner is also served at affordable rates.

By Bruce Amp

Rippin’ through the Nile

The source of the Nile is one of the most spectacular white-water rafting destinations in the world.SOLOMON OLENY took on the Nile’s rapids and survived to tell the tale.

White water rafting on the Nile is one adventure that needs the bravery of a lion, I was happy to be among the daredevils who have ticked white-water rafting off my bucket list.

An early morning drive from Kampala to Jinja, arranged by Adrift, took us to the camp base by River Nile. Close to 30 tourists, mainly from Australia, Turkey and India, joined us.

As we happily took in the enchanting view of the scenic river, we had a healthy breakfast which aroused our appetite for the adventure.

Greg, an administrator with Adrift, said though no one has ever lost their life while rafting on the Nile, the risk could not be eliminated from the adventure. He implored us to abide by the safety precautions.

However, he was quick to drown our worries, assuring us that a team of over 10 professional rescuers would be on hand throughout the ride.

Into the river

The team gets swallowed by the rapids

My team of five was led by Sadulu Khadir, a rafting coach. We were strapped with life jackets and kayak helmets. We had to leave our shoes, watches, phones and cameras behind to avoid damage or loss during the adventure. Armed with kayak paddles, we jumped into an inflatable raft, ready to beat the hell out of the rapids — or so we thought.

First, Khadir coached us on rowing techniques and sitting postures needed to contain both the polite and the ugly that would come our way. Then he ordered us to dive into the river to hone our survival skills.

For those of us who knew nothing about swimming, it was like Khadir was commanding us to commit suicide. I looked him in the eye, hoping he was joking. But he returned the hard stare, and showed no signs of relenting or engaging in any small talk.

Stuck between tough choices, Ijumped into the river. Shockingly, it turned out to be the sweetest surprise of the morning, for the life jackets did what they do best.

Floating on my back in the blissfully cool water was great. It was the closest I had coming to swimming all my life. He then ‘rescued’ us and took us back into the raft. It was time to paddle towards the fun-filled hell that awaited us. We rowed, along with tonnes of support around us, including safety kayakers and a rescue boat nearby.

After a lot of paddling over a flat stretch of the river, we reached the mouth of the first rapid, dubbed grade three, the third most aggressive rapid. Its nerve wrecking roars left my chest thudding with terror and when the foaming waves came into view, the terror came alive.

Fortunately, Khadir was such a fantastic coach. He kept calm, making us feel that he was in control. Alas! No sooner had we struck the edge of the two feet deep rapid than the boat got hooked onto a flat rock. The gushing water flogged us angrily as it forced its way downstream.

To crash through the explosive rapid, towards the calmer stretch downstream, it took team work to bounce the raft back and forth before it was dislodged. It was too soon to celebrate, for a few meters ahead was a much more terrifying challenge — a grade five rapid. The closer we got, the more it looked like a starving lion ready to rip us apart.

It exploded powerfully, flipping our raft upside down. Only three of us escaped being buried under the raft, in the choppy waters. I was vertically flashed onto the rocky edge, where I hit my head. But thanks to the helmet, my skull was protected.

Nonetheless, I could not whine because I knew my suffering was nothing compared to what the folks under the boat were going through. After seconds of waiting for them to swim out in vain, a wave of panic ran through me.

It was a relief when Khadir jumped onto one of the corners of the boat and grabbed a rope to flip it back into position. It was then that the buried folks popped out their heads, struggling to catch their breaths.

Flustered, we finally hauled ourselves back into the boat, with the help of the day’s hero — Khadir.

Once inside, the fright changed to incredulous happiness. “That was close!” Excitement bubbled inside everyone. The water was calm for a while, giving a chance for the fright to ebb slowly while we enjoyed the view of floating plants, the small forested islands and the various birds.

In between them were small rapids which were a piece of cake to manoeuvre, the type of cake you can stuff in your mouth and swallow without chewing. With the sun becoming hotter by the hour and our earlier fears long extinguished, we felt free to dive into the water for leisurely cooling dips.

Motherof rapids

But there was one more giant to overcome. We still had to face the most inviting but deadliest rapid — the grade six rapid. But we had to dodge the worst part of it, so we paddled to the left bank and got off.

We then walked for five minutes on land as Khadir tactfully steered the empty boat on a calmer side to the nearest safe point, where we jumped aboard. We then dared the safer part of this rapid with towering waves, but thankfully, did not flip.

We paddled to the finish point at the foot of Adrift’s second camp base. I could not help but wish I had gone for the full-day rafting as it entails thundering through eight rapids, unlike the half-day which has only four rapids. I also wished I had some champagne totoast to the sweet victory we claimed.

By Bruce Amp