KAMPALA: Uganda Wildlife Authority has signed concession agreements with Wildplaces Africa and Tian Tang Group to develop high end tourism accommodation facilities in Murchison Falls National Park and Kyambura Wildlife Reserve in Queen Elizabeth Protected Area.
The signing ceremony was last Thursday presided over By the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Col. Tom Butime at the Ministry Offices in Kampala. The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Doreen Katusiime, Chairman UWA Board of Trustees Dr. Panta Kasoma, Acting Executive Director UWA John Makombo and the Country Director Space for Giants Justus Karuhanga among others.
Hon. Butime was happy to note that Uganda is continuing to attract investors in high-end accommodation facilities in protected areas saying that these would market destination Uganda and specific protected areas where they have investments. “Am optimistic that high end investors will attract high profile visitors and returns to the country while maintaining conservation and environmental integrity,” he said. He urged the investors to ensure that they complete their investments in the agreed time as stipulated in the concession agreements signed.
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The Minister further explained that government launched a national brand, which will guide the promotion of destination Uganda and urged them to acquaint themselves with it. “The Tourism Ministry recently launched the national brand, Explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. This will give direction on our marketing strategy and harmonise efforts”.
The Chairman UWA Board of Trustees, Dr. Pantaleon Kasoma who signed on behalf of UWA said that the authority has confidence that the investors will commence and finish construction in time and promote the protected areas as tourism destinations. He said that apart from contributing to national development, investments inside protected areas generate revenue for UWA to do conservation work.
The Managing Director Wildplaces Africa Jonathan Wright expressed appreciation to government for putting in place an investment climate that has motivated them to add more investments in Uganda in addition to others that they already have. He observed the need for high end hotels that will attract visitors who will bring into the country the resources needed to support wildlife conservation. “High end lodges offer high quality services that will attract people to the country, when these people come, they leave behind substantial amount of money, that is what UWA needs at the moment”, he said.
The Deputy General Manager Tian Tang Group Shawn Lee said that after successfully investing in other sectors including manufacturing, they are excited to invest in UWA protected areas adding that they would attract many chinese visitors to Uganda. He revealed that they plan to have the facility in Murchison Falls National Park complete at the end of this year.
The signing of the concessions agreements follows a request of expression of interest to invest in UWA protected areas in 2020. The two companies met all the requirements.
Tian Tang Group won a 20-year concession to develop and operate a 44 bed high end/low impact accommodation facility at Kulunyang in Murchison Falls National Park on the Southern Bank. On the other hand, Wildplaces won two 20-year concessions; one for developing high end/low impact 24 bed Luxury tented Camps at Kibaa Southern Bank of Murchison Falls National Park and Katole, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve in Queen Elizabeth Protected area.
