President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has explained why he suspended the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) fee charge on all individuals passing through the Murchison Fall National Park, saying it should only apply to only the tourists.
He instructed the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to cease charging fees to travelers (as opposed to tourists) passing through the park while en route to and from Northern Uganda.
His directive takes effect immediately, subject to further assessment of the effects of these vehicles on wildlife within the park and overall tourism, conducted by various stakeholders and the Ministry of Tourism.
This decision comes as travelers have been utilizing the park’s road as an alternative route due to the ongoing rehabilitation of the Karuma Bridge.
The President expressed his view that it is unreasonable to impose charges on travelers who are not tourists, deeming it inappropriate.
This announcement was made during a meeting with members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus at State House, Entebbe, on October 4, 2024.
“On the use of the park by the people who are travelling to and from Northern Uganda during the time of the closure of the Karuma Bridge, I totally forbid the charging of money from travellers who are not tourists, it’s nonsensical, It’s not correct,” he said.
President Museveni’s assertion followed a request by the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua who appealed to the President to waive off the fees being charged from the travellers using the road in the park.
“On the side of the Murchison Park sir, we are requesting you that if it pleases you, consider waiving the fee for any car that should have primarily used Karuma but if Obua with his family is heading to Murchison as a tourist, then he must pay so that Your Excellency, we don’t lose any revenue. What we are requesting is that cars which could have primarily used Karuma to transit through Murchison Falls Park free of charge,” Obua requested.
According to the President, it’s not about the money but the impact the vehicles have on the animals in the National Park.
“Apparently, according to conservationists, they are saying that those animals in the park are not used to very many vehicles, especially the big ones. I can suspect that there may be common sense in it since from when that park was created, big vehicles never passed there, it is only the small ones. Now that when these animals see these big vehicles they fear and run away,” he said.
He directed the Vice President, Jessica Alupo to convene a meeting next week between the Ministry of Tourism, Conservationists and some Members of Parliament to assess the impact of big cars transiting through Murchison Falls National Park on tourism.
“If these animals run away and the tourists don’t see them when they go there, the whole country will lose. This has an impact on tourism. Should we only allow a certain type of vehicles instead of the big ones, what should we do after you have done the impact assessment with the conservationists?” he inquired.
“These conservationists should be able to tell you the difference between the Ishaka- Kasese Road where Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated because big vehicles pass there and these other roads. I don’t know the impact but you discuss with them,” he directed.
The President further agreed to the MPs’ request to have a meeting in Kisozi to interact with the area residents about wealth creation.
The President also urged the caucus members to always be supervisors of wealth creation among Ugandans.
“Your job is to check whether Ugandans get the services from the government. It is very easy work for you,” he said.
He further encouraged the MPs to emphasize environmental conservation among Ugandans.
“Talk to our people to adopt the Limoto Pilot project which I started sometime ago to shift out people from rice growing in the swamps to fish farming at the edges of the swamps,” he said.
On the other hand, the President cautioned the caucus members against corruption.
“Corruption has become a big problem. You will hear some stories, we are arresting quite a good number of people, even here among my staff we are arresting. You better watch out and we crush this evil.”
President Museveni also called for strict Public Service Standing Orders for effective service delivery to Ugandans.
“New public service standing orders must be put in place,” he stated.
In the same meeting, the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua informed fellow MPs that H.E the President will in October resume his zonal tours, thus calling them to take part.
“You are all aware that out of the 18 traditional zones or sub-regions, H.E the President has already visited Acholi, West Nile and the Greater Masaka. The purpose of this is to monitor and evaluate the wealth creation initiatives and also entrenching practical solutions to wealth creation, household income, Socio-economic Transformation using the four acre model, PDM, Emyooga and seven enterprises, among others,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, the Vice President, Jessica Alupo, Ministers and members of the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC).
