African Insights Blog Newsletter
Uganda Tourism - After the Terrorist Bombings of July 11 2010
What will the Future hold for Tourism in Uganda?
It is now July 15, 2010 - 4 days have come and gone since the night of the dreadful bombings of innocent World Cup final football revelers - the death toll is now up to 76. Local television has shown families picking up their dead loved ones in trucks, vans and sedans. Sad sights to see, meanwhile in Somalia the al-Shabaab leadership is rejoicing, President Museveni on the other hand has declared 7 days of mourning and has vowed to hunt down the evil doers.
Tourism according to recent reports is now the number one business in Uganda, exceeding coffee and fish, also tea - in the long run it will probably be oil that will produce more income for Uganda than Tourism, but the good news is that Tourism is a renewable resource and has minimal effects on wildlife and nature.
What will happen to Uganda Tourism in the immediate future?
A Ugandan Tourism official tried to reassure the visitors in the country and those contemplating a visit to Uganda that everything was under control and this was an isolated incident.
Reality is one does not know what the future holds? No one knows what will happen next in Uganda. One does know that Uganda has unleashed its security, police resources to catch the perpetrators and to prevent any future attacks. The evidence is visible everywhere and the public is responding well in assisting the police with tips and anything out of the ordinary.
Thank goodness, we had only one cancellation-however something that we did was send every person that had booked a safari tour an email with what had taken place in Uganda and what to do to be more safe and secure in Uganda and in Kampala in particular and changed plans if we felt it was more secure for them.
Slogans or trite statements will not reassure visitors but concrete ideas and steps that keep the safety of visitors to Uganda as a must do for safari companies. Visitors to Uganda come before any company profits. Visitor need to know the facts as to what has been done and is being done to keep Kampala safe for all. This includes extra security steps taken by Safari companies.
Security at the airport, hotels, restaurants, markets, bus stations, taxi parks (14 passenger vans), the streets of Kampala, Churches, nightclubs and more. Prevention is the best medicine besides getting the perpetrators of the cowardly bombings.
In Kenya, tourism dropped substantially after the election violence of December of 2007 and January of 2008, Kenya is still recovering.
Similar things can happen here - a short term missions group from Asia recently wrote me and they are still planning on coming here to Uganda, but will take extra safety precautions.
The reality is, Uganda needs to take steps to communicate to the traveling public the state of things in Uganda presently and what they are doing to make their stay safe from potential attacks and if it means inconveniencing the traveling public, they will not mind if it means that is for their well being.
Uganda may lose some travelers, but most seasoned travelers realize that no country is 100% safe and if tour operators put plans taking that safety to heart and plan safaris based on safety that will avoid crowded places and locations in Kampala, take alternate routes that are less congested and work with Ugandan agencies in getting the word out to tourists contemplating a visit to Uganda that measures have and are being taken regarding safe travel to and inside of Uganda.
Reality about Safari Tours in Uganda: Most safari trips are away from Kampala. The closest location of a National Park is 3 1/2 hour to Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls is 6 1/2 hours and a bit more to Queen Elizabeth Park, 9 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Lodgings in the parks most often have 10 or less rooms, many of them 5 rooms or tents.
In other words, most safari trips are away from the bustling crowds into the African Wilderness, passing through small towns along the way, far away from Kampala. To places such as Mgahinga Gorilla Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Kibale Rainforest Jungle, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo National Park and Lake Mburo.
As a precaution we have removed the Kampala City Tour until further notice and such a time when normalcy has returned to Kampala.
Most Safari tour operators will be cognizant of the current situation in Uganda and what route to take, what to avoid and where not to take guests, what hotels have taken extra security precautions, etc. If you are booked with any tour operator in Uganda, email them for an update of the current situation and what they are doing to ensure your well being and safety and I am sure that they will do whatever they can to let you know what is currently going on in Uganda.
The Future of Tourism for Uganda?
Tourism in Uganda has been on the increase each
year, there were thoughts of a million visitors to Uganda this year.
The
year is now half over and in the light of the bombing attacks that
goal may not be realized. In the long run Uganda will emerge once
again a vibrant player in East African Tourism.
Reasons:
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Half of the Mountain Gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
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More primates are found in Uganda than anywhere in East Africa. Uganda boasts 4 locations where primates can be tracked.
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Uganda is home to the tallest Mountain Range in Africa - The Rwenzori Mountains with their glaciers and snow capped peaks. (though melting rapidly)
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1040 species of Birds have been identified in Uganda and this is truly a bird lover's paradise.
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White water rafting- from Mild to Wild on the historic Nile. Up to level 5 rafting.
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Fishing for Nile Perch - up to 300 pounds in weight.
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An abundance of beautiful Lakes and rivers including Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Vitoria, Lake Mutanda and more.
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Fabulous lodging facilities in the African Wilderness from Tree top rooms at Kibale Forest to Tented Luxury camps at Queen Elizabeth Park and other locations in all of the parks.
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The tree climbing Lions of the Ishasha Plains, leopards, elephants, zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs, otters, hippos, crocodiles, bush babies, pottos, countless kinds of antelopes and much more.
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The scenic wonders of Uganda
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Then the real Pearl of Africa - the people of Uganda - some of the friendliest and gentlest people in Africa.
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Holiday weather all year long because of Uganda's altitude.
Uganda has withstood the turbulent winds of violence before, during the times of Idi Amin, the war that ousted him, the war in the bush against the Obote regime, the long LRA conflict, the skirmishes with ADF rebels, bombing by them in 1997 and 1999, peace in the land since 2006 and now this. Uganda will make it through this time once again prove to be the "Pearl of Africa."
It is good to read what Winston Churchill wrote over a century about Uganda, those words still ring true today.
My journey is at an end, the tale has
been told.
The reader who has followed so faithfully and so
far has a right to ask what message I bring back.
It can be stated in three words:
concentrate upon Uganda!
[Uganda] is alive by itself. It is vital,
and in my
view, in spite of its insects and diseases, it ought, in
the course of time, to become the most prosperous
of all our East African possessions, and perhaps the
‘financial driving wheel’ of this part of the world.
My counsel plainly is – concentrate upon
Uganda!
Nowhere else in Africa will little money go so far.
Nowhere else will results be more brilliant, more
substantial or more rapidly realised.
Uganda is from end to end a ‘beautiful
garden’
where ‘staple food’ of the people grows almost
without labour. Does it not sound like a paradise
on earth? It is the Pearl of Africa.
From ‘My African Journey’
By Winston Churchill (1908)
If you have any questions regarding traveling to Uganda, feel free to write.
From Kampala...the Pearl of Africa...jon
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Uganda Safety & Security Information: Is Uganda a Safe Destination
Staying Safe in Uganda: Security and Safety in Uganda
Is Uganda Safe to Visit?: More insights and tips on Safety in Uganda
Uganda Travel Safety & Security - after the World Cup Terrorist Attacks in Uganda.
Uganda Money Tips: Keeping your money safe & secure.
Uganda - Tourism - After the Bombings on July 11 - World Cup Day?
Living in a Warzone - Uganda? Uganda has been the subject of wrongful information.
Safe & Secure Safari Tours in Uganda: Your Safety & Well Being is part of our planning of your safari.
Gorilla Tracking Information: The How To Gorilla Tracking Guide.
Uganda Mini-Safaris: Short Safaris giving you a taste of the wild of Uganda.
Longer Safari Tours:5 days or longer Safaris in Uganda. Create your own and stay as long as you want.
Ugandan Birding Safaris: Uganda is a Birders Paradise.
Chimpanzee Safaris: All of our Chimpanzee Safaris
Gorilla Tracking Safaris: Create your own Gorillas in the mist Safari.
Tented Camp Safaris: There is nothing like it. Taste of Out of Africa.
1 Day Safari Trips: Day Trip Safaris from Kampala
Luxury Safaris in Uganda: Why go on an up-market Safari in Uganda?
Budget - Moderate - Luxury Safaris -What is the difference? Compare choices you have.
Specialty Safaris in Uganda: Photo, honeymoon, adventure, more.
Uganda Big 5 Animals Plus: Big 5 plus safaris.
Create your own Uganda Safari: Put together a safari you like.
Practical Safari Tips in Uganda: The word is practical.
Large private Groups on Safari in Uganda:
Comments from Clients: letters to us about a safari.
Accommodations in Uganda: Towns and Park Lodging
Kampala City Information: Hotels, Restaurants, Nightlife, more
Uganda Travel Guide: Must read for Uganda Travelers.
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