Uganda Wildlife Authority waives entrance fees to Savannah Parks

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As part of national tourism strategy which encourages promotion of domestic, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a has declared two days of free entry to all the "Savannah" parks in the country as another way of promoting tourism and conservation among the natives. On behalf of the UWA executive director, Stephen Masaba, the director for tourism and business development revealed the plan earlier Monday, September 30, 2024.

UWA is the government agency mandated to protecting and conserving wildlife.

"This is part of the tourism which currently contributes to 52% of the visitations to the protected areas," Masaba noted while addressing the press he hosted at the UWA headquarters in Kampala.

Whereas the ministry of tourism has been running quite a similar campaign dubbed 'Explore Uganda,' Masaba explained that marketing requires consistency.

"We therefore, have to continue pushing for such campaigns not only as a way of attracting tourists but also appreciating the communities around these protected areas," he expressed.

The free entrance will apply on October 17 and 18 whereby UWA buses and trucks will be stationed in towns that are adjacent to the designated national parks, to take among other members of the public for a game drive.

Locals peeping through the store mesh to see the piles of wire snares and wheel traps confiscated by UWA inside Murchison falls national park. This was during a sensitisation program to mitigate human wildlife conflicts in 2022. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)

The Savannah parks listed include:  Kidepo Valley national park in north-eastern Uganda plus its neighbouring Pian-Upe wildlife reserve, Murchison Falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and Lake Mburo national park.

Starting this year, the open-day park program shall be implemented annually. Vanice Mirembe, the UWA manager in charge of awareness and community conservation said.

The community residents having a photo moment infront of Murchison falls national park when they were allowed free entrance during the celebration of World Lion Day in 2022UWA inside Murchison falls national park. This was during a sensitisation program to mitigate human wildlife conflicts in 2022. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)

Meanwhile, chief wardens and staff in the aforementioned parks have been tasked to organise conservation awareness talks and discussions with the communities in a way that addresses the human-wildlife conflicts among other security concerns. They were also tasked with ensuring the safety of tourists as well as the general hygiene of the protected areas.

Muhereza Kyamutetera, the chief executive officer for Uganda Tourism Association (UTA) welcomed the move saying, "in marketing and real life, every consumption decision begins with awareness as a foundation for all subsequent stages in the customer decision-making process." According to Kyamutetera, tourists being either domestic or international, can thoroughly make a decision to travel to a destination they are aware of.

"Sampling is a higher-level form of awareness that significantly influences consumer decision-making, particularly by helping consumers move from mere awareness to actual visits to the protected areas and the surrounding tourism assets. Ultimately, this also influences repeat visits, referrals and recommendations," Kyamutetera stated. 

He expressed optimism that the increase in tourism numbers will increase hotel occupancy and spending in the local communities.

Bashir Hangi, the UWA public relations manager said, domestic tourism is a key driver to economic growth which Uganda can salvage to boost tourism numbers during negative advisories and disease outbreaks. "Opening park gates to communities offers a sense of ownership to the locals as well as enhancing their understanding and appreciation of wildlife conservation efforts," Hangi noted.

According to the annual tourism performance report for the financial year 2023/2024, over 387,914 tourists visited the national parks, out of the overall number of 1.3million tourists who visited the country, contributing $2.8b (5.5%) of the total gross domestic product (GDP) for Uganda and directly employing 610,000 people. Domestic campaigns are expected to drive the tourism numbers to an upward scale.