Kampala — UGANDAN tourists visiting National Parks this Christmas season will enjoy a 50 per cent discounted rate on entry fees, courtesy of Uganda Wild Life Authority (UWA).

The offer is valid from December 15 to January 15, 2007.

Ordinarily, Ugandan adults pay Shs5,000 for a day or one night stay at the park, Shs7,500 for two days and Shs10,000 for three days.

Children under 15 years, pay Shs2,500 per day, Shs3,500 for two days and Shs5,000 for three days. Now they will pay a half the fees during the season.

Foreigners or non-residents on the other hand, pay $25 per day, $35 for two days and $50 for a week.

The one-month's offer aims to encourage local tourists to visit the various attractions in the Murchison Falls National Park Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park.

The discounted rates will not however apply to the primate parks of Bwindi , Kibale and the Rwenzori Mountains famous for mountain climbing because of their exclusive nature.

Vehicles entering the parks will also continue paying the entry fee of Shs20,000 for saloon cars, Shs30,000 for omni-buses, taxis, pickup trucks and the four-wheel Pajeros and Land Cruisers.

UWA's Public Relations Manager Ms Lillian Nsubuga said in a statement on December 8 that park entry fees for communities neighbouring the protected areas have also been waived for the Christmas season.

Ms Nsubuga said 5,000 Ugandans visited the national parks during the 2005 festive season, representing a 52 per cent increase from the 3,074 who visited the parks in 2004.