Wildlife chief grilled over gorilla permits
Apr 10, 2008
TOUR operators have asked Moses Mapesa, the executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), to explain why he gave a company monopoly over gorilla tracking in Nkuringo, located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
TOUR operators have asked Moses Mapesa, the executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), to explain why he gave a company monopoly over gorilla tracking in Nkuringo, located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The operators, in a meeting at the Ministry of Tourism, said UWA gave Uganda Safari Company six gorilla tracking permits, leaving two for the other tour operators.
Eight permits are given to tourists daily to track gorillas in the area. “If there is any deal between UWA and the company, it should be cancelled,†said James Bakeine, an operator.
However, Mapesa said UWA does not hold an agreement with the company. He gave the permits to Nkuringo Conservation Development Foundation as compensation because the gorillas graze on their land.
“The foundation partnered with the company to manage the eco-lodge and gorilla tracking,†he said. Jonathan Mike Wright, the owner of Uganda Safari Company, said they won the rights over the permits through competitive bidding after an advert by the foundation.
The operators, in a meeting at the Ministry of Tourism, said UWA gave Uganda Safari Company six gorilla tracking permits, leaving two for the other tour operators.
Eight permits are given to tourists daily to track gorillas in the area. “If there is any deal between UWA and the company, it should be cancelled,†said James Bakeine, an operator.
However, Mapesa said UWA does not hold an agreement with the company. He gave the permits to Nkuringo Conservation Development Foundation as compensation because the gorillas graze on their land.
“The foundation partnered with the company to manage the eco-lodge and gorilla tracking,†he said. Jonathan Mike Wright, the owner of Uganda Safari Company, said they won the rights over the permits through competitive bidding after an advert by the foundation.