BAKONZO - BAMBA CELEBRATE BIRTH OF RWENZURURU PRINCE

By John B. Nzinjah

A prince has been born to Iremangoma Charles Wesley Mumbere, the cultural head of the Rwenzururu kingdom. The news was the talk of Kasese town, with local FM radio stations receiving numerous calls congratulating the Omusinga and the Queen.

The kingdom spokesperson, Godfrey Kabyanga, yesterday said: “The Omusinga was present at Kampala International Hospital when the prince was delivered on Wednesday. The queen, Agnes Ithungo and the baby are in good health.”

Many people said this was a double blessing since it comes ahead of the coronation celebrations on October 19.

The Bamba-Bakonzo king will also mark his 43rd anniversary since he took over the Rwenzururu Kingdom after the death of his farther, Isaya Mukirania Kibanzanga.

Kibanzanga was among the Bamba fighters who led a rebellion against the Toro kingdom, demanding independence in 1962.

Single Tourist Visa to be issued by East Africa Member States

By Arthur Baguma

The East African Community plans to start a single tourist visa for the region. The member states are discussing a protocol to create and market the region as a single tourist destination. Member states have started to coordinate their policies in the tourism industry and were establishing a frame work that would ensure equitable distribution of resources. In addition the partner states are establishing a common code of conduct for private and public tour and travel operators, standardized hotel classification and professional standards of agents in the industry.

A collective policy for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wildlife and other tourist sites in the region is also in pipeline.

“They include harmonizing policies for the conservation of wildlife within and outside protected areas, exchanging information and adopting common policies on wildlife management and development, coordinating efforts in controlling and monitoring encroachment and poaching activities,” information at the EAC states. The policy encourages joint use of training and research facilities and developing common management plans for trans-border protected areas.

These developments are good news to East Africa tourism potential. From some of the world’s finest beaches to unique wildlife sanctuaries East Africa is a tourism hub. In Uganda the unique wildlife sanctuaries East Africa is a tourism hub. In Uganda the unique Bwindi National Park home to some 340 mountain gorillas, the Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park are also preferred sites for tourists. In Kenya, the magnificent Maasai Mara reserve, among 48 wildlife parks and reserves, including the amazing Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks attract tourists both local and international. In Tanzania, the world famous Ngorongoro crater, the breath taking spectacular Serengeti plains, wildlife conservation areas and Mt. Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain are just the tip of the ice berg of what Tanzania can offer tourists.

Apart from the scenic attractions, East Africa has a lot more to offer. Hotel and beach tourism is at its peak. The region offers a large number of historical sites spread through the region. It boasts of interesting traditional culture, the Makonde sculptures and Akamba wood crafts as well as the Uganda Kingdoms, cultures and tradition. The Olduvai Gorge in the Great Rift Valley in Tanzania is the site of discoveries of the traces of early humanity.

There is, however potential for development, expansion and promotion of East African tourism, taking into account on going development of tourism and other potential of the lake Victoria basin. The world’s second largest fresh water body is shared by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

The number of tourists to the East African region increased significantly between 1995 and 2002.In Tanzania the number increased from 285,000 to 550,000 while in Uganda it increased from 160,000 to 254,000. In Kenya there was a slight decline from 896,000 to 838,000 but the figures rose to one million in 2003.

Currently the three countries attract more than two million tourists. The figures indicate a vibrant trend of the tourist sector in East Africa. With joint promotion of the industry, tourist visits in East Africa are expected to double in the near future. In 2005, the East African Community countries launched the plan for joint tourism and wildlife development including joint marketing and promotion of East Africa as a single tourist destination.

Starting with the Internationale Tourismus Borse (ITB), Berlin 2006, the tourist boards of East African countries participate in international trade fairs under one roof, the East African Village exhibition area. On going activities aim at developing both short and long term measures in the joint promotion and marketing of East Africa as a single tourist destination.

The plan and strategy for joint development and promotion of tourism envisages steady growth due to stable political and peaceful conditions prevailing in the region coupled with modernization of infrastructure, transport and communications facilities and links to all parts of the world by major world air lines and ocean cruises.

TOURISM: RWANDA’S MAJOR FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNER

By George Kalisa

Rwanda’s experience shows that the road to total liberation of the people has neither been straight nor smooth. Faced with the challenge of improving the lives of Rwandans in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, President Paul Kagame has met barriers ranging from political to economic ones, a high ranking government official has said. The international perception of the country was a major hold up to efforts to the liberation of the Rwandans from all forces that denied them human dignity. The world knew Rwanda for the genocide.

However Kagame and his government have triumphed over a sea of problems and Rwandans are already reaping the fruits of Kagame’s vision says Rosette Rugamba, the deputy chief executive officer of Rwanda Development Board in charge of Tourism and conservation.

The enterprising President looked at tourism as a potential sector in reconstructing the economy hence the re launch of the industry in 2003 on two definitive fronts – domestic and international tourism.

Domestic tourism focused on creating a culture of appreciation of the intrinsic value of and benefit of the sector to the economy while international tourism positioned Rwanda as a high end destination that put conservation and the environment first.

Rugamba adds that the security and stability in the country spur growing investment in the sector.

“The journey of the tourism sector in Rwanda started with the vision of our President six years ago. We are now harvesting six years of solid investment in destination tourism positioning, continuous improvements in the product backed by unwavering government support. With out doubt, the peace and security we enjoy in this country have been enabling factors,” Rugamba said.

Rugamba says although they have achieved many successes, Rwanda has not yet realized its dream tourism industry, adding that more innovations are needed.

“While we celebrate where we are today, we all believe that we still have a long way to go. The year on year growth is testimony that we are doing something right as a nation, “Rugamba said in an interview.

In 2003, only 16,000 visitors went to Rwanda compared to 980,577 in 2008. By June 2009, 440,000 visitors had been to the country. The increase in the number of visitors has meant increase in revenue and expansion of tourism infrastructure and tour operator agencies over the years.

Revenue upped from $8m in 2003 to $209m in 2008, while hotel rooms increased from 650 to 4,256.

Currently, Rwanda boasts of 189 hotels compared to just 30 in 2003. Besides being the number one foreign exchange earner for three consecutive years, the sectors competitive performance globally has improved ten fold the country’s image.

For the third time Rwanda was this year voted best African exhibitor at ITB Berlin, the worlds largest tourism trade fair. It was also voted among the “Top 10” tourism destinations in the world by Lonely Planet (2009), a travel guide in the United Kingdom. Early this year, Rwanda mountain gorilla trekking was ranked among the top green travel experiences in the world by the latest Rough Guide’s publication, 500 New Ways to see the World.

Rwanda’s gorilla experience was also listed in the publication Unforgettable journeys you must take before you die by Steve Watkins and Clare Jones as one of the 50 things you must do before you die.

The influx of international celebrities into the country is evident of growing tourism. These include; Jack Hanna (world’s conservation icon), CNN founder, Ted Turner and Catherine Crier.

Gorilla naming ceremony: it is one of the sector’s land mark innovations and one of the most recognized conservation events on the world tourism calendar.

Kwita Izina, as the gorilla naming ceremony is locally referred to, was launched in 2005 by Kagame. A total of 105 baby gorillas have been named since Kwita Izina ceremonies started. The annual ceremony has attracted high profile people locally and internationally, including Hollywood celebrities and world renowned conservationists. Kwita Izina is a celebration of successes in protecting the mountain gorilla and the environment it lives in.

Over $2m has been raised through the event and has been spent on supporting the communities that live outside the mountains of the Virungas.

Rugamba says Rwanda expects tourism revenues to hit $278m by 2012, adding that in the offing is a 10 year master plan, an initiation that will take the sector to greater heights.

New Products: Central to Rwanda’s tourism strategy has been the development of new diverse products. They include avi tourism, Nyungwe National Park, Akagera Savannah Park and conference tourism.

In 2008, we launched the birding product (avi tourism) at the birding fair in UK, says Rugamba. Rwanda hosts over 700 bird species of which 44 are endemic to Rwanda. It is anticipated that birding will contribute 10% to Rwanda’s tourism receipts by 2010. The Nyungwe forest trails are offering nature hikes and an opportunity to see over 13 primate species, including chimpanzees.

By the end of the year, two lodges will be opened in Nyungwe and the canopy walk will be launched in the heart of the forest, the first of its kind in Eastern Africa.

The government is currently restocking and up grading accommodation facilities in Akagera National Park.

Rugamba discloses that a 20 seat leisure boat will be commissioned on Lake Kivu in October. The boat will enable tourists to visit islands on the lake.

Commenting on conference tourism, Rugamba said; “Our fastest growing product has to be conference tourism. Rwanda has become a much sought after destination for multi sectral, regional, continental and international conferences. In the first half of 2009, 189,857 (43%) of the visitors who came to Rwanda came for business purposes. In 2010, we hope to have set up a convention bureau to manage and coordinate conferences”.

Rugamba added, “With Rwanda becoming part of East Africa, we shall continue to work on promoting East Africa as a single destination and working on fast tracking of the East Africa single visa. The East Africa standards are already in place and Rwanda has started preparing the hotels for classification”.

OIL DRILLING VERSUS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

By Baluku Geoffrey
Kampala, Uganda

Much of Uganda's tourism is based on nature and wildlife. Surprisingly, a few weeks back Uganda Wildlife Authority the custodians in charge of all National Parks in the country did send out a circular to some lodge owners in Murchison Falls National Park informing them of the extensive oil drilling activities expected there soon.

As a result new tourism circuits/ alternative new tracks to Buligi circuit are already being planned between Paraa and Wangkwar junction.

Murchison Falls National Park where Buligi circuit and the delta region are found is renowned for the rich diversity in both game and bird species including the endangered shoe bill stork.

From Mr. Mapesa’s article in the new vision of 26th August 2009, it is evident that the organization he represents is faced with forces beyond their reach. If not, how can some one leading the wildlife authority claim that tourism will not be affected? Considering the tensions and conflicts surrounding areas with oil world over it disturbed my mind reading that article. Even from the sensitivity atlas report of May 2009 as shown on NEMA’s website, it is clear that Murchison falls National Park lies in a highly sensitive area that is bound to be affected.

With all due respect to the Executive Director of UWA, allow me note that Tour Operators and whole sellers abroad are risk averse and do seek “safe” destinations. Tourism is all about product and in Murchison falls National Park the product is wildlife and the clean waters of the Nile and Lake Albert. It is important for the stake holders and other concerned Ugandans to know the technical and scientific issues in the Environment Impact Assessment rather than the Political issues.

Is UWA convinced that the negative impacts will be minimal? I doubt! Why? Leaving out the normal rhetoric from some of our leaders, it is obvious that the drilling will negatively impact on the behavior of the wildlife in Murchison falls National Park hence leading to death and other animals migrating into neighboring villages where they could cause havoc or be poisoned. It is a known fact that oil drilling involves extracting crude oil by drilling through the rock cap. Crude oil a fossil fuel that is found deep under the earth’s surface is formed from the remains of plants and animals that are subjected to high pressure and temperature. Anaerobic micro organisms then act slowly on the dead plants and animals in the absence of oxygen forming carbon rich organic layers that are then subjected to this high temperature and pressure there by leading to the formation of crude oil and natural gas.

In the process of trying to locate this oil, the environment is affected as the oil is under the rock cap. Techniques such as use of sniffers, magnetometers, gravity meters, satellite imaging and seismology are used to locate this crude oil. With the seismology method shock waves are sent to the lake or land surface so as to estimate the time taken by the waves to return back. Through some of the above methods several oil reserves have been discovered in the Albertine Graben. Among these are Mputa 1, Mputa 3, Mputa 4, Mputa 5, Ngassa, Waragai – 1, King fisher 1, 2 and 3, Nzizi-1, kasamene, Ngege 1, Tai tari 1 and Kanuka. Of particular contention are oil reserves Warthog, Crocodile, Giraffe and Buffalo.

As far as I know the wild life act of Uganda has never been changed to allow for such dangerous activities in any National Park of the country. Petroleum products last year estimated at US$500 million were consumed by Uganda as compared to Tourism that brought in an estimate US$600 million. Oil drilling outside the park is welcome as it will help the technical people better understand the real impacts of oil drilling prior to encroaching on a protected area like Murchison Falls National. This thus calls for a proactive approach so that the goose that lays the golden eggs (Tourism) is not affected.

The tourism industry in Africa and Uganda to be particular often operates below international competitive standards however; some facilities and products already meet international competitive standards of excellence. For example Nile Safari Lodge and Paraa Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park. Considering that the challenge for Uganda as a country had always been limited high end accommodation facilities, and now that there are additions such as Chobe Lodge everything possible should be done for the best interest of Tourism.

As opposed to Tourism, oil drilling is a short term job creator that is usually under taken by a few international companies such as Tower Resources, Tullow, Dominion and Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd for the case of Uganda.

The need to secure profits for the share holders of the aforesaid companies means that they have to achieve results at any cost. And the results (revenue generation) from the above companies may lead them to hold great sway over our governments which may compromise the Political agenda of our county hence undermine democracy.

Oil drilling wastes such as the mud cuttings, drilling muds, produced waters all contain varied toxic chemicals that are VERY dangerous to wildlife in form of shortened life span.

The drilling in the delta region of Murchison Falls National Park is also likely to lower the Nile water and Lake Albert quality both through accidental leaks and spills. At every stage of the drilling process the environment will surely suffer as already evidenced from the mud cuttings.

A big percentage of gas produced is flared causing considerable ecological damage to other resources such as land and water. How are the oil companies going to mitigate this?

Gas flares produce soot which most likely will be deposited on building roofs of neighboring villages and when it rains the soot is washed off with the black ink like water running from the roofs which is dangerous for human consumption, the soils and vegetation.

Fluctuations in Tourism are mainly due to a country’s conditions rather than the price. How is Uganda Wildlife Authority going to balance oil drilling and tourism development considering they are tasked to protect Uganda’s wildlife resources for the current and future generations? It is important to note that Murchison Falls National Park is not an “island”. What happens there is bound to affect the general tourism industry of Uganda.