By Dorothy Nakaweesi

Uganda's revenue collection from national game parks, a major tourist attraction, is set to increase and create new jobs as the private sector increases investments in accommodation and catering facilities.

Great Lakes Safaris, a leading tour company in Uganda and East Africa recently signed two 10-years concessions to construct new and rehabilitate accommodation facilities in Kibale Forest National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park respectively.

We have earmarked $500,000 (Shs850 million) in the establishment of new and rehabilitation of these facilities," the Managing Director of Great Lakes Safaris, Mr Amos Wekesa Masaba, said.

Mr Wekesa said $300,000 (Shs510 million) has been spent on construction of the Primates Lodge Kibale which has been operational since August. And about $200,000 will be spent on the rehabilitation of accommodation facilities at Queen Elizabeth that have been run by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

Lack of accommodation continues to be a serious challenge to many of the national game parks and the Uganda Wildlife Authority has embarked on a strategy to partner with private investors to increase on the number of rooms at the game parks.

Currently accommodation facilities at the national game parks have a total of 677 beds excluding the various camps set up within these parks to cater for about 124,000 tourists who visit the 10 national game parks annually but more are needed as the numbers are projected to grow.
Uganda currently receives about 600,000 tourists annually.

Increasing the number of beds and other facilities could offer Uganda's tourism industry a much needed momentum to compete with its regional rivals such as Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.

Mr Wekesa is optimistic about Great Lakes Safaris' investment which is currently attracting an average of 70-90 guests every month.
Other park managers could take up the cue to do the same partly to offer jobs or local communities surrounding the parks and generate more revenue for the country.

Most of the tourists who visit the park come from USA, Britain Spain and German among other countries.
At Primates Lodge Kibale, four new cottages are being constructed and will be ready soon.

"Our luxury-tented camps, consisting of eight completed deluxe safari tents are supplied with a 24-hour electricity supply and water. All tents are placed on a wooden platform, offering a splendid view at the surrounding forest. The private situated tents are featured with a spacious veranda, comfortable twin beds and en-suite bathroom with shower," Mr Emmanuel Dali the manager of Primates Lodge said.
He said as part of the facility there is a new restaurant which provides local and international cuisine.

"Adjacent is a comfortable bar and spacious lounge to spend the afternoons or evenings pleasantly. Or gather around the unique fireplace where you can over think the adventures of the day," Mr Dali said.

He said they so far have 15 employees working at the lodge and about 20 on temporarily employed to do the constructions.

"The local community is highly involved in different areas, ranging from the supply of local products and employment, to providing handmade crafts and cultural performances".

The most important activity in the lodge's surroundings is the chimp trekking, offered in the morning and afternoon. The tourists are guided into a nature walk while being educated and entertained by experienced ranger guides.

The 795 Square kilometer Kibale Forest National Park with 77 percent forested section 23 percent grassland, swamps and some plantations with exotic conifers is a home to 13 species of primates.

Dali said the population of Chimpanzees is over 1,420 and other attractions include elephants at a 393 population, 372 bird species, 250 tree species and butterflies.