Kampala — IT is a good season for tourists to visit Uganda's national parks after the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) slashed entry fees by 50%.

The month-long offer started on December 15.

To visit Murchison, Queen, Lake Mburo, Bwindi, Mgahinga, Kibale, Kidepo and Rwenzori national parks, UWA previously charged sh5,000 (about $3) for Ugandans, $15 for East Africans and $25 for non- residents per day.

"We want people to enjoy the natural wonders during the festive season," said Moses Mapesa, the UWA executive director.

Mapesa also announced new park entry fees, allowing Ugandans and other East Africans to pay the same tariff.

He said Ugandans and East African adults would pay sh5,000 and 2,500 for children per day, while foreign residents and non-foreign residents will pay $20 and $30 respectively.

Mapesa said the new rates would be effective January 1.

"When we review, we take into account inflation, demand and diversity of tourism products. This time we have taken into account the East African Cooperation," he explained. He said the countries were working to create East African as a tourism destination.

"We want common standards for grading hotels, entrance into national parks and the diversity of services offered," he said.

"As a wildlife agency, we are bound by this. We have undertaken a review to accommodate the regional framework.

"As we prepare for the integration of the East African Community, we would like to introduce a similar rate for Ugandans and East Africans," he argued. Previously, UWA had different rates for Ugandans and East Africans.

Mapesa said children, students and members of the Wildlife Clubs of Uganda, were exempted from paying entrance fees to any national parks.

"Most people have developed a perception that it is expensive to visit the protected areas," said Mapesa.

"We also offer bandas on the fringes of the parks that offer decent accommodation ranging from sh10,000 to sh50,000 per night. This can be afforded by most Ugandans," said. Public transport is available to the entrance of most of the parks in the country, he added.

"Many Ugandans have vehicles, public transport is reliable and affordable, students enter free together with members of the Wildlife Clubs of Uganda," said Mapesa.

However, Mapesa said most high class accommodation facilities in Queen, Murchison and Kidepo were already 100% booked.

He said the private sector was coming up with accommodation facilities inside and outside the parks.

and that this would subsequently absorb the increasing demand. Uganda has 10 national parks namely Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori, Kibale and Mgahinga.

Others are Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo, Ajai, Mt. Elgon and Lake Mburo national parks.