Author: Johnson Thembo

The Uganda National Roads Authority and the Uganda Road Fund were last week dissolved and their functions returned to the Ministry of Works and Transport. This follows the repealing of the Uganda Road Fund Act, 2008 and the Uganda National Roads Authority Act 2006 which created both agencies. The development follows the passing of the Uganda Road Fund (Amendment), Bill, 2024 and Uganda National Roads Authority (Amendment), Bill 2024 by Parliament chaired by Speaker Anita Among on Wednesday, 06 November 2024. The two Bills, once assented to, will operationalise the 2021 government policy on rationalization, which aims at reducing duplication…

The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has announced a strategic partnership with Expedia Group, a leading Online Travel Agency (OTA), to promote Uganda as a premier travel destination. This collaboration targets key markets in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada, leveraging Expedia’s vast reach in the travel industry. The campaign, aptly named “Uniquely Yours,” was officially launched on November 5, 2024, and aims to highlight Uganda’s iconic sustainable tourist experiences. This includes popular activities such as gorilla tracking, bird watching, and authentic adventure tourism that showcase the breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity that the country has to offer. With over…

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has officially launched the Explore Uganda Mobile App, a revolutionary digital platform aimed at enhancing the travel experience for both local and international tourists. The app, designed to provide comprehensive information on Uganda’s diverse destinations, promises to make travel planning more seamless and position Uganda as a top global tourist destination. State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities Hon. Martin Mugarra presided over the launch. He commended the initiative as a significant step toward leveraging technology to boost tourist numbers in Uganda. “The Explore Uganda App is a big step towards leveraging technology to increase tourist…

The East African Community (EAC) partner states have been urged to consolidate the gains of unity and cohesion in a bid to ensure a united community which will unlock the potential for local solutions to shared problems. According to the Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, Anita Among, the workings of the Common Market Protocol have not been respected by some member states despite the aim to create a single market that eliminates tariff and non-tariff barriers.“If we have agreed to use machine-readable national identity cards to cross borders, why should that be a problem with other countries? We should respect…

Uganda Tourism Board has embarked on a long-term strategic partnership with CNN International to promote The Pearl of Africa and connect with travel enthusiasts and premium audiences across the network in the core and emerging source markets of Europe (UK, France & Germany), North America (USA & Canada), Africa, Middle East, East Asia (China and India) and Asia Pacific regions. The multi – platform exclusive campaign of videos, articles and social media assets, dubbed “Uniquely Yours” aim to position Uganda as a sustainable tourism destination. The thirty second advert on television feeds will show Uganda from majestic landscapes to the…

The Uganda Tourism Association (UTA) has expressed its appreciation for the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s (UWA) newly launched Open Park Days initiative. This is a significant stride towards revitalizing the tourism sector into post-pandemic efforts as the initiative invites all Ugandans to explore some of the country’s most breathtaking national parks and protected areas free of charge from October 17th -18th, 2024. The Open Park Days initiative will allow visitors to experience the wonders of popular destinations such as Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo, Kidepo Valley, Queen Elizabeth, and Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve without entrance fees. Additionally, attendees will have the chance…

Former Presidential Press Secretary, Francis Onapito Ekomoloit, has passed away. The news of his death was announced on Friday morning by the NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, Flight Captain Mike Mukula, through social media. “On behalf of the Teso community and the country at large, I hereby announce with deep sadness and pain the demise of our brother Hon. Onapito Ekomoloit, a veteran journalist and former Member of Parliament for Amuria County… Further details will be communicated later,” Mike Mukula shared on X (formerly Twitter). Onapito began his journalism career at the Monitor newspaper before leaving the Namuwongo-based daily to co-found The…

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has hailed the Uganda Parliamentary Sacco for its continuous expansion following a Shs 9.6 billion growth in 2024, which is a 15 percent increase from last year’s Shs8.3 billion. In a speech read on her behalf by the Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon Frederick Ngobi, Speaker Among said the Sacco’s growth is a welcome development, as it shields MPs and staff from predatory financial institutions with exorbitant interest rates and harsh terms. “I am cognizant of the importance of this Sacco to its members. It is in the interest of…

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has officially announced the resumption of hiking activities to the revered Margherita Peak, marking a significant milestone for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. The climbing experience had been temporarily halted due to safety concerns; however, UWA has implemented a series of safety enhancements to guarantee hikers’ well-being. Among the most notable improvements is the newly constructed bridge spanning the crevasse in the Margherita glacier, a critical section of the trail known for its challenging conditions. This bridge, along with additional climbing ropes strategically placed throughout the park in collaboration with local partners, ensures safe passage through…

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has convened a pivotal meeting today with a consortium of leading Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) at the Protea Hotel in Entebbe, aimed at enhancing collaboration in wildlife conservation efforts across the country. The gathering brought together representatives from prominent conservation organizations, including the Wildlife Conservation Society, Worldwide Fund for Nature, WildAid, and several others, to discuss strategies for harmonizing efforts in Uganda’s protected areas. The meeting, characterized by a spirit of partnership, focused on aligning the activities of UWA and the various NGOs to address conservation challenges more cohesively. In his opening remarks, Sam Mwandha, the…