Parliament calls for revival of Uganda Airlines

By Joyce Namutebi        
               
GOVERNMENT should revive Uganda Airlines as one of the deliberate efforts to enhance the level of marketing the country internationally, Members of Parliament have recommended.

They regretted that in the East African Community, Uganda is the only country without a national carrier.

The concern is contained in the report of the committee on tourism, trade and industry that was presented to Parliament on Wednesday by Steven Kagwera (NRM).

The airline, which was Uganda's flag carrier, was established in 1976. It had its headquarters in Entebbe, but ceased operations in 2001 when Uganda Airlines Corporation was liquidated.

The committee was concerned that the issue of promoting tourism has not been given the due attention it deserves because this year's budget of Uganda Tourism Board is being reduced from Sh2.05b in 2011/2012 to ShSh1.91b.

On brand names for Uganda, the committee said the country seems to be losing focus because different brand names are being created at different times.

During CHOGM, according to the committee, 'Gifted by Nature' was the brand name and today with the creation of the Presidential Initiative on Sustainable Tourism (PRESTO) the brand name being used is "Irresistible Uganda."

"The committee strongly recommends that Government should stick to the gazette brand name "Uganda the Pearl of Africa" as stated by Sir Winston Church Hill in his book "My journey to Africa."

The MPs again raised a concern on mistreatment of Ugandans trading in South Sudan and urged Government to quickly intervene and protect them.

The committee appealed to the Government to start construction of Gulu-Nimule road so as to improve the road network.

The committee reiterated its earlier recommendation that the Ministry of trade expedites the ratification to COMESA Free trade Area.

The MPs urged the Government to support the ministry and Uganda Management Institute regarding establishment of Africa-India Institute of Foreign Trade because of the need to train and develop capacity of trade negotiators. The institute is supposed to have started in November 2011.