Uganda Safari Portal

01/03/2015

Interstate Passes for Foreign residents with valid resident/ work permits issued in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda now fully implemented:

, and waive Visa Fees for Foreign Residents:

Three Partner States of the East African Community (EAC) namely; Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, under the Northern Corridor Integration Projects initiative, have waived visa fees for foreign residents living within the 3 countries in order to allow them easier access to the region’s diverse offering.

The visa free was approved last year on 11th December 2014 and is contained in a Ministerial report that Presidents Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Paul Kagame of Rwanda signed at the 8th Northern Corridor Integration Summit held in Nairobi in Dec 2014.

Foreign residents in the three Partner States with valid work and resident permits will no longer have to pay the US$30-50 visa fee on arrival but will now be issued with an Interstate pass at the airport of departure for admission to the destination. Uganda and Rwanda implemented this reform on 15th Dec 2014 but the impact only became real when Kenya effected the directive on 15th Feb 2015.

Read more: http://ugandasafariportal.org/interstate-passes-for-foreign-residents-with-valid-workresidents-permits-issued-in-uganda-kenya-and-rwanda-now-fully-implemented/

19/02/2015

Conservationists protest UWA killing of lion: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/665061-conservationists-protest-uwa-killing-of-lion.html

A lion that was shot and killed by rangers of the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Bukanga of Isingiro district in western Uganda has attracted angry reactions from wildlife conservationists

16/02/2015

Oil and tourism: Can Murchison have both? http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/magazine/Oil-and-tourism--Can-Murchison-have-both--/-/434746/2622696/-/opdxaz/-/index.html

The discovery of oil and gas in Uganda is proving to be a poisoned chalice.

30/01/2015

As 'fear factor' eases, tourism edges back: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/01/29/us-africa-ebola-idUKKBN0L21RL20150129

NAIROBI (Reuters) - From the jungle-clad slopes of the Great Lakes to the game parks of South Africa, tourism is beginning to recover as the Ebola outbreak in a corner of the continent ebbs and foreigners

20/01/2015

The truth about Hippos: Herbivore or Cannibal? http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150116-the-diet-secrets-of-hippos-herbivore-or-cannibal

Are hippos cuddly, supersize herbivores or giant, cannibalistic killing-machines? Scientists take a closer look at nature’s most misunderstood ‘muses

02/01/2015

Happy New Year to you all! From the golden sands of Koh Lanta, I wish you a very happy and healthy new year full of adventures, excitement, and dream fulfil

02/01/2015

In just over a month, the first UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture will bring together Ministers of Tourism and Minsters of Culture from all over the world in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
At a time of an unprecedented tourism growth, this milestone event will provide a much needed global platform for stakeholders in both fields to meet and identify the key challenges and opportunities for sustainable development of cultural tourism.
Learn more: http://tourismandculture.org

Join me for the UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture: Building a New Partnership, in Siem Reap, Cambodia, 4-6 February 2015.

01/01/2015

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni 's New Year Message to :

RWAKITURA: Dear Country-men and country-women, I greet you all, first and foremost. Secondly, I congratulate you on having spent a Merry Christmas. It is so sad some of our country-men or women die...

01/01/2015

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni vouches for Tourism in the region:

President Museveni while meeting the Ethiopian Premier Hailemariam Desalegn at the national Palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia noted that both Uganda and Ethiopia offer immense tourism opportunities. ...

23/12/2014

21/12/2014

East Africa offers $16m to fund innovation

The TradeMark East Africa Challenge Fund has launched a $16 million fund for innovators who develop strategies and products that can help reduce the time and cost of transporting goods and services across East Africa. The fund, dubbed Logistics Innovation for Trade (Lift), will offer grants ranging from $200,000 to $750,000 to winning proposals from innovators globally.

Lift is aimed at helping develop new technologies that can lead to a 15 per cent reduction in the time and cost of transport on the Northern and Central Corridors by 2016, ensure better co-ordination of the logistics chain and come up with business models that help small and medium enterprises to participate in the logistics chain.

The fund is also meant to develop new services, including information and communications technology (ICT), to help buyers to find the right suppliers and facilitate more efficient logistics, improve financial services, provide training, and document how to reduce red tape and enforce standards in the industry.

TradeMark East Africa Uganda director Allen Asiimwe noted that trade across the region is growing at a rate of eight per cent per annum, and emphasised the need to reduce the cost of transport and transit times on the main transport corridors.

“The high cost of freight and transport erodes the competitiveness of goods exported by the East African countries, raises the cost of living and reduces trade, economic growth and job creation,” Ms Asiimwe said.

Data from TMEA shows that East Africa has the highest freight and transport costs in the world. For the landlocked countries, transport costs can be as high as 75 per cent of the value of exports.

Lift fund manager Isaac Njoroge said only private companies in the transport and logistics industry in the EAC and those providing services to it are eligible to apply for the grant. Executives of logistics firms in Uganda welcomed the grant but said it will only be useful if non-tariff barriers are eliminated.

“Unless non-tariff barriers are eliminated, nothing much will improve,” said James Byenkya, operations manager at Ataco Freight Services Ltd.

Paul Lugobe, operations manager at Uganda’s Freightnet Ltd, also called for an upgrade of roads across the region.

The fund comes at a time when the EAC states are implementing a Single Customs Territory that is expected facilitate faster movement of goods and ease the cost of doing business in the region.

Since its inception in 2012, the TMEA Challenge Fund has supported other trade innovations worth $10 million, including the recently launched Airtel cross-border money transfer scheme and the Africado Ltd project in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania

20/12/2014

dies in Impenetrable Forest

Gorilla Doctors is very sorry to have to report that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has lost another silverback. Mwirima, beloved leader of Rushegura group, passed away yesterday morning in the forest.

Drs. Fred and Jan, along with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) veterinarian Dr. Patrick, conducted an intervention on 2 March 2015 after the UWA trackers reported that the male was very weak and with serious loss of body condition.

“We found a very infected, necrotic wound on his upper lip, with exposed maxillary bone. We did all of the supportive care that we could (debridement of the lesion, administered antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medications and fluids). We drove the samples six hours from Buhoma to the border that evening, and by 9:30pm Dr. Methode reported normal serum chemistries, but serious anemia” said Dr. Jan.

Sadly, Mwirima’s condition deteriorated despite the medical intervention. As there are no other silverbacks in Rushegura group, the remaining 14 group members are being led by blackback Kabukojo, with support from blackback Kalembezi.http://africageographic.com/blog/silverback-dies-in-bwindi/

Gorilla Doctors is very sorry to have to report that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has lost another silverback.

04/12/2014

WIN FACTOR: 7/10 MissWorldUganda Leak among top 10 glamorous girls to become MissWorldLtd : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2852801/Who-beautiful-Meet-glamorous-girls-vying-Miss-World.html

As the accomplished contestants descend on London ahead of the Miss World Final on December 14, FEMAIL takes a look at some of the most hotly tipped to take home the crown this year.

01/12/2014

Surprising new tourist hotspot: ‘ a better tourist spot than :http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/uganda-a-better-tourist-spot-than-spain/story-e6frfqai-1227140617364

UGANDAN President Yoweri Museveni thinks his country is a better tourist destination than Spain because it has a very mild summer climate, unlike Spain’s, which he called “very hot and humid”.

27/11/2014

The Uganda is Not Spain Debate continues: Vote here: http://www.theguardian.com/world/poll/2014/nov/27/holiday-uganda-spain-poll?commentpage=1

Uganda's president has been mocked for suggesting his country has more to offer tourists than Spain. But is he right? Tell us where you'd prefer to go

18/11/2014

Approximately 33,000 elephants are killed annually to meet the growing demand for ivory. Watch Saving Africa’s Giants with 姚明 Yao Ming on Animal Planet and help bring an end to the ivory trade. Join us and sign WildAid's pledge virg.in/sag

17/11/2014

rolls out for web browsers: http://ugandasafariportal.wordpress.com/2014/11/17/microsoft-rolls-out-skype-for-web-browsers/

Microsoft on Friday released a test version of Skype that lets people make Internet calls from web browsers, eliminating the need to install special applications. "It's perfect if you prefer using ...

16/11/2014

Every 15 minutes, an elephant is killed for their .
As part of a larger effort by members of the CGI community, Animal Planet, in partnership with WildAid, made a commitment to leverage its global reach to raise awareness and drive action to end the ivory trade and elephant poaching. Learn more about the commitment at http://cgilink.org/1EIuGas. Then, take the pledge to be at www.ivoryfree.org and watch Saving Africa’s Giants with 姚明 姚明 Yao Ming on Tuesday at 10pm ET.

15/11/2014

: Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga: Investigate reports of loss at : https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/To_the_Ugandan_Speaker_of_Parliament_Rt_Hon_Rebecca_A_Kadaga_We_can_on_you_to_help_stop_ivory_trade_and_save_Ugandas_Ele/share/?new

Loss of Ivory at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) shows a syndicate of thuggery and that means Elephants were killed some where. As citizens concerned we are calling on you to investigate reports of missing ivory at UWA strong room. With one tenth of the population being killed each year, there is no…

11/11/2014

Uganda—The Pearl of Africa: Comfortably situated along Africa’s most well-known river, just below the equator, the Pearl of Africa resides. Uganda’s ideal location is the root of this country’s wonder. Uganda’s lush landscapes, endless to the human eye, serve as a magnificent backdrop to vast biodiversity.

The landlocked country is home to some of the world’s most endangered mountain gorillas (among 13 other primates including chimpanzees), iconic rain forests, tree-climbing lions and over a thousand species of birds. Traditional Savannah safaris and bird watching are Uganda’s main tourist attractions, with volcano climbing, kayaking, river rafting on class 5 rapids in the Nile undoubtedly key reasons for visiting this gem.
Not falling shy of the dramatic beauty of the country is Uganda’s rich cultural heritage. The old Kingdom, Uganda, is as culture-rich as ever.

Today, although having no political power, the Ugandan King of the Baganda – the largest traditional kingdom in Uganda, residing in the modern capital, Kampala – serves to aid in ensuring the diligence of the Baganda and their mobility to develop of the country. Owing to its complex yet beautiful cultures, Uganda possesses a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Tombs of Buganda Kings, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and century old rock art.http://www.internationalmeetingsreview.com/uganda/sub-saharan-africa-uganda%E2%80%94-pearl-africa-100446

Comfortably situated along Africa’s most well-known river, just below the equator, the Pearl of Africa resides. Uganda’s ideal location is the root of this country’s wonder. Uganda’s lush landscapes, endless to the human eye, serve as a magnificent backdrop to vast biodiversity.

10/11/2014

hosts global congress Speke Resort http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/661633-ug

Uganda is hosting the 39th World Congress of the Africa Travel Association (ATA), with over 300 regional and foreign delegates due to attend.

09/11/2014

Could there be any one with information on missing Ivory or stock piles of Ivory any where in Uganda? In other news - Ivory poaching needs Al Capone’s business model: http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/OpEd/comment/Ivory-poaching-needs-Al-Capone-s-business-model-/-/434750/2515442/-/p9prqsz/-/index.html

07/11/2014

Kabira Country Club - A bastion of food innovation and entertainment

Review of Kabira Country Club

21/10/2014

: Invitation to apply for the Africa SME Awards, organized by Africa Guarantee Fund (AGF) - Nov 11 – 12 2014

If you are a tour operator or SME that has been in existence for the past 3 years with revenues from 250,000 USD, You are urged to apply for /to the Africa SME Awards, organised by Africa Guarantee Fund (AGF) scheduled Nov 11 – 12 2014.

http://www.africa-smechampions.com

Beyond a $50,000 grand prize and media coverage throughout the continent, the organizers will accompany the winners.

This award would be a tremendous opportunity for the different companies based on the progress achieved.

To apply, all you need to do is fill-out the small survey by clicking the link below:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EnglishversionSMEChampionsAw….

It should not take you more than 15 min. Kindly note that the deadline is October 26.

This is based on a first come first serve basis and ONLY 25 companies from are eligible to register by Wednesday at the latest.

300 dirigeants de PME, Plus de 100 représentants d’institutions financières de renom travaillant sur les questions d’accès au financement des PME et 50 organisations expertes des questions d’accompagnement des PME participeront au forum. Parmi les participants :

20/10/2014

"respects no borders", and every country has to do all it can to help fight it - President Johnson Sirleaf:http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29680934

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says all nations have a stake in the fight against Ebola, which "respects no borders".

20/10/2014

And the winner for Miss 2014/2015, was Patricia Babirye Ntale (C) - First Runners Up was Busoga’s Roberta Jean-Marie Magooba (L) & Gulu’s Norah Atim as second runner-up (R)

20/10/2014

make 50 years as saints: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/660871-uganda-martyrs-make-50-years-as-saints.html

Saturday marked 50 years since the 22 Catholic Uganda Martyrs were declared saints (canonised) by Pope Paul VI at St Peter’s Basilica Rome

01/10/2014

20 Miss Beauty Queens Set to Promote Agriculture: http://ugandasafariportal.wordpress.com/2014/10/01/20-miss-uganda-beauty-queens-set-to-promote-agriculture/

Miss Uganda Foundation has unveiled the top 20 beauty finalists for 2014/2015. The foundation held a pre-selection at Mackinon Suites in Nakasero Kampala to finalise the activity already carried ou...

01/10/2014

: Why tourism struggles to attract government funds: http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=34131:-why-tourism-struggles-to-attract-government-funds&catid=79:businesstopstories&Itemid=68

It is a question that bothers everyone in the tourism sector: why does government heap praises on the tourism sector, but does not give it deserving funding?