Kenya and Tanzania betraying the spirit of EAC

Jun 22, 2011

EDITOR: I must commend the efforts by some individuals pushing for the East African Community. As of now, individual Ugandans can easily access Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda protected areas without being charged as foreigners as they formerly were.

EDITOR: I must commend the efforts by some individuals pushing for the East African Community. As of now, individual Ugandans can easily access Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda protected areas without being charged as foreigners as they formerly were. Uganda, on the other hand, has always been a soft landing for most of our colleagues doing tourism business.

That apart, Ugandan tour operators are experiencing strange actions by our neighbours, especially Kenya and Tanzania. In Burundi and Rwanda, Ugandans are treated with great respect which we Ugandans in tourism business appreciate.

Kenya declared very clearly that as of January 1, 2011, no foreign vehicles were allowed into any of their national parks and therefore any Ugandan intending to do business has to do it through a Kenyan partner.

This is mind-boggling, especially when we are moving towards a unified East Africa. Tanzania, on the other hand, has always been the 'bad boy' who does not allow any foreign tourists' cars to cross into the country.

If they drive into the country, they are clearly foreigners who have to pay for a work permit! A good number of Ugandans have to pick tourists from Bukoba, 80kms from Mutukula after they have crossed Lake Victoria from Mwanza.

This journey is only three hours but our drivers are required to pay $100 for only three hours as a temporary work permit. We have complained to both our ministry and the East African Community ministry but so far nothing has been done.

These actions cast doubt on the future of the East African community. The formation of the East African Community should not be for any one party taking advantage of another because they are not questioned by anyone at any of our borders or at the entrance to national parks, but should be for mutual benefit of all its membership.
Amos Wekesa
President, Uganda Tourism Association


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