UWA, Wild places Africa, and Tiang Tiang Group sign concession Agreements

Kampala, Uganda, April 7, 2022: In a bid to develop Uganda’s tourism and the hospitality sector, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has today signed concession Agreements with two private sector players; Wild places Africa and Tiang Tian Group to develop high – end tourist accommodation facilities to cater for a certain level of guests at Murchison falls national park and Kyambura Wildlife Reserve in Queen Elizabeth national park protected areas respectively.

The concession agreement is part and parcel of the initiative between Space for Giants and Uganda Wildlife Authority to draw upon conservation – supporting tourism providers for investment in the Country’s 10 national parks.

The Agreements signing formal procedure was graced by Hon. (Rtd) Col. Tom Butime – the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Doreen Katusiime - Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, UWA Acting Executive Director John Makombo, Chairman UWA Board of Trustees Dr Pantaleon Kasoma and the Country Director for the conservation NGO Space for Giants Justus Karuhanga among many more at the Ministry’s head office located at Rwenzori Towers in Kampala City.

Hon. (Rtd) Col. Tom Butime - Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities revealed that Uganda is continuing to attract investors in higher-end accommodation facilities in protected areas as these are key in marketing destination Uganda and specific protected areas where they possess investment.

He said, ‘’I am optimistic that high-end investors will attract high profile visitors and returns to the Country while maintaining environmental integrity. I urge the investors to ensure that they complete their investments within the agreed period as stated in the concession agreements signed today’’.

He added, ‘’Recently, Government launched a national brand ‘’Explore Uganda – The Pearl of Africa, to guide the promotion of destination Uganda. This is driven to give direction on our marketing strategy and harmonise efforts’’.

UWA Chairman Board of Trustees, Dr Pantaleon Kasoma said, ‘’The Authority is positive that the investors will start and complete construction in the consented time, and promote the protected areas as preferred tourism destinations’’.

Endorsed by His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni, the Giants Club Conservation Investment Initiative seeks to identify new sources of finance to assist support Uganda Wildlife Authority to deliver on its mandate successfully through expanding tourism in protected areas.

The signing of these concession agreements comes after a request for expressions of interest to invest in UWA protected areas in 2020 as the two companies met all the prerequisites to be offered a concession.

Wild places Africa won two 20-year concessions for developing high end/low impact 24-bed luxurious tented camps at Kibaa, Southern Bank inside Murchison falls national park and Katole plus Kyambura Wildlife Reserve inside Queen Elizabeth national park. Whereas, Tiang Tiang Group has one single 20-year concession to establish and operate a 44-bed high end/low impact tourist accommodation facility at Kulunyang in Murchison falls national park located on the Southern bank.