President okays Chobe golf course
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has directed the tourism ministry and the Uganda Wildlife Authority to allow the Madhvani Group to build a golf course and swimming pool in the Murchison Falls National Park, saying government departments needed to support investors promptly.
By vision reporter
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has directed the tourism ministry and the Uganda Wildlife Authority to allow the Madhvani Group to build a golf course and swimming pool in the Murchison Falls National Park, saying government departments needed to support investors promptly.
“What is wrong with giving them a few yards to build a swimming pool? Let them build the pool and put the golf course in place because I don’t see how these interfere with conservation,†he said while launching the group’s Chobe Safari Lodge in the park in Amuru district.
The President said investors like the Madhvanis’ had played a big role in the recovery of the economy, adding that the country is now ready to take off, especially with its investor-friendly policy in place.
Serapio Rukundo, the tourism state minister, said the Government would import 23 rhinos to beef up those at the Villa Ranch. It will also promote cultural tourism, he said, adding that tourism could be used as part of the northern region rehabilitation programme.
Mayur Madhvani, one of the group’s directors, urged the Government to have a budget for promoting tourism in partnership with the private sector. He appealed to the President to intervene in a row, in which UWA had withdrawn the group’s licences to exclusive zones in parks.
“We have already invested sh60b in the national parks and we are prepared to discuss and co-operate if we get a proposal, which protects our investments in the parks,†Mayur said.
The Madhvani Group caused a stir a few years ago when it applied for a licence to build a recreational centre in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The recreation centre was supposed to have a golf course which would be a source of attraction for tourists.
However the Uganda Wildlife Authority contested those plans on grounds that it would disrupt the wildlife, petitioning government to halt any such moves.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has directed the tourism ministry and the Uganda Wildlife Authority to allow the Madhvani Group to build a golf course and swimming pool in the Murchison Falls National Park, saying government departments needed to support investors promptly.
“What is wrong with giving them a few yards to build a swimming pool? Let them build the pool and put the golf course in place because I don’t see how these interfere with conservation,†he said while launching the group’s Chobe Safari Lodge in the park in Amuru district.
The President said investors like the Madhvanis’ had played a big role in the recovery of the economy, adding that the country is now ready to take off, especially with its investor-friendly policy in place.
Serapio Rukundo, the tourism state minister, said the Government would import 23 rhinos to beef up those at the Villa Ranch. It will also promote cultural tourism, he said, adding that tourism could be used as part of the northern region rehabilitation programme.
Mayur Madhvani, one of the group’s directors, urged the Government to have a budget for promoting tourism in partnership with the private sector. He appealed to the President to intervene in a row, in which UWA had withdrawn the group’s licences to exclusive zones in parks.
“We have already invested sh60b in the national parks and we are prepared to discuss and co-operate if we get a proposal, which protects our investments in the parks,†Mayur said.
The Madhvani Group caused a stir a few years ago when it applied for a licence to build a recreational centre in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The recreation centre was supposed to have a golf course which would be a source of attraction for tourists.
However the Uganda Wildlife Authority contested those plans on grounds that it would disrupt the wildlife, petitioning government to halt any such moves.