Josephine Maseruka
25 September 2008
Kampala — The Government wants to remove the exclusive zones owned by Mweya and Paraa Safari lodges. The move would allow more investors in the tourism industry.
The State minister for tourism, Serapio Rukundo, yesterday told the parliamentary committee on tourism, trade and industry that the zones hindered development.
The zones were created in 1995 because of insecurity and the few tourists that were visiting the areas.
Rukundo told the committee, chaired by Lubyayi Sseguya, that the concession for Mweya safari Lodge was signed in 1995 for a period of 30 years, while Paraa safari Lodge was acquired by MARASA in 2000 from Sarova.
"Both concessions have exclusive zones of a 25-mile radius. Under the agreement, no hotel must be built in the zone," Rukundo said.
He noted that a hotel with 100 or more beds, charging between $100 (about sh160,000) and $150 (about sh240,000) per night would be preferred within the radius instead of the current lodges charging between $300 (about sh480,000) and $350 (about sh560,000).
The minister said they were waiting for a response from the Attorney General.
John Kawanga (DP) asked for a time frame within which to resolve the issue, saying it had been before the committee for over three years.
MPs also called for the revision of the Uganda Wildlife Authority Act to compensate communities in case of attacks from wild animals. They regretted that the Act prevents victims from being compensated.
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