Wildlife authority gets buses to drive local tourism

January 10, 2018 in Investment, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

January 11—The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has taken delivery of five brand new touring buses in a bid to encourage domestic tourism.

“The purchase of the buses is a true gesture that the government supports the development of domestic tourism in the country. One of the challenges that has been hindering UWA to promote domestic tourism is transport costs. Ugandans should take the advantage of the buses to tour their country since the rates will be affordable to local people,” Godfrey Kiwanda, the State Minister for Tourism said at the launching ceremony early this week outside UWA headquarters in Kampala.

UWA executive director, Dr. Andrew Sseguya said the five buses, which cost about $800,000 in total, is part of the agency’s strategy to grow tourism and improve conservation in all the national protected areas.

“I therefore wish to appeal to Ugandans to embrace the buses and support UWA in ensuring that they are on the road daily. Ugandans should take advantages of the low rates we are providing and use them as vessels to explore our national parks,” Dr. Sseguya said.

Purchase of the buses falls under the $100 million World Bank funded Competitive and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP) overseen by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU).

Notable characteristics of the new vehicles is high ground clearance together with comfortable  leather seats. They also feature entertainment and communication facilities, including power charging points for mobile devices and spacious luggage areas.

Kiwanda said the government is still constructing more access roads across the country to ensure that tourists’ trips national parks and game reserves are unhindered. During the same event the Minister also launched the 2018 Turambule public awareness campaign intended to get Ugandans to take more interest their country’s fauna and flora.