Sunday, 6th April, 2008


     
By Begumisa Wilber

A disagreemernt has erupted between the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the investors in the tourism sector over the decision to exclusively allocate gorilla tracking permits to Nkuringo Conservation Development Foundation.Thus the rest of tour operators were left with only six permits to share among themselves. Whereas eight permits are issued out every day to tourists to track the gorillas at Nkuringo, the Southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Most tour companies are accusing UWA for selectively dealing with one company at the expense of the others.
The Rubuguri and Nteko parishes mobilised themselves into a foundation with a population of 3000 members.Mr Mapesa Noses, the executive director of UWA,explains that the permits given to Nkuringo were meant for their compensation for the damage on their crops by the animals in the park.
The foundation, has a partnership with the Uganda Safari Company,has recently obtained $250,000 (sh425m) for the construction of Nkuringo eco-lodge.

Uganda Safari Company is to invest $750,000 (sh1.275b) for operating the eco-lodge for 10 years however the facility will remain a property of the local community. The eco-lodge is planned to be completed by July 1. The revenue from this project is to be ploughed back into the community for its development.

The arrangement in place is that the community will recieve an annual fee of $5,000 as the ground rent for the luxury eco-lodge.