Summary:
- Hon. Obua informed MPs that President Museveni would resume his zonal tours in October.
KAMPALA: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to halt the collection of fees from travellers transiting through Murchison Falls National Park en route to and from Northern Uganda.
The order does not apply to tourists.
The directive follows the closure of the Karuma Bridge for rehabilitation, leading many travellers to use the park’s road as an alternative route.
“I forbid the charging of fees for travellers who are not tourists. It’s nonsensical and inappropriate,” President Museveni said.
He made these remarks on Friday while addressing the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus at State House, Entebbe.
The President’s directive came in response to a request from Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, who appealed for a waiver on the park fees for non-tourist vehicles.
“Mr. President, we request that vehicles which would have ordinarily used the Karuma Bridge be allowed to transit through Murchison Falls National Park free of charge. However, tourists like myself should continue paying the necessary fees,” Hon. Obua said.
While addressing concerns about fees, President Museveni emphasized that the issue was not about revenue but the impact of heavy vehicles on the park’s wildlife.
Conservationists, he noted, have raised concerns about the effect large vehicles may have on the animals, which are not accustomed to such traffic.
“Conservationists say these animals are not used to many vehicles, especially large ones. Since the park’s creation, big vehicles have not passed through. Now, when these animals see big vehicles, they get scared and flee,” the President explained.
He further directed Vice President Jessica Alupo to convene a meeting with the Ministry of Tourism, conservationists, and some MPs to assess the impact of large vehicles transiting through the park.
“If the animals flee and tourists can’t see them, the whole country will lose. We need to assess whether we should restrict large vehicles or find alternative solutions after the impact assessment,” President Museveni added.
He also asked the group to compare the situation in Murchison Falls with the Ishaka-Kasese Road, where large vehicles pass through Queen Elizabeth National Park, to understand any differences.
During the meeting, the President agreed to a request from MPs for a meeting in Kisozi to engage residents on wealth creation.
He urged caucus members to be vigilant in supervising government programs aimed at improving Ugandans’ livelihoods.
“Your job is to ensure that Ugandans receive government services. It’s an easy task for you,” he said.
Museveni also emphasized the importance of environmental conservation, encouraging MPs to promote the Limoto Pilot Project.
The project aims to transition people from swamp-based rice farming to fish farming along the edges of swamps.
The President issued a stern warning against corruption, citing ongoing arrests of government staff involved in corruption.
“Corruption has become a major issue. We are arresting a significant number of people, including some from my staff. Beware, and let’s eliminate this evil.” He said.
Lastly, he called for the implementation of strict public service standing orders to ensure effective service delivery.
In the same meeting, Hon. Obua informed MPs that President Museveni would resume his zonal tours in October.
The tours, covering various regions, aim to monitor wealth creation initiatives and promote socio-economic transformation, focusing on the four-acre model, Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and seven enterprises.
