Tourism ministers ushered into Wildlife Authority

They turned up in big numbers in green army uniform. They blended well with the small bamboo forest that houses a statue of the gorillas at the headquarters of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Kampala.

This was part of the team of UWA staff that were part of the ceremony dubbed as the ‘home coming' on Friday for the two ministers of tourism, Emphraim Kamuntu and Godfrey Kiwanda.

Kamuntu who is the new Minister for tourism was awarded with a portrait of an elephant to welcome him into his office.

"This is the best present I have ever got in my entire life," said Kamuntu who was the Minister of water and environment until about a month ago.

Kamuntu said that in an effort to make Uganda a middle income country by 2020, the government will have work hand in hand with UWA. He said conservation of nature and the tourism sector in Uganda will have to contribute to this goal.

"Our aim is to become a middle income by 2020 and we can never achieve it without nature" said Kamuntu.

The new state minister for tourism Godfrey Kiwanda expressed concern over the persistent road carnages in Uganda that has posed a threat to tourism sector in Uganda.

The Minister said that there's a step-down in the influx of tourists in Uganda due to fear of accidents on Ugandan roads most especially Masaka road.

He said that international tourists have to face tough rules from their insurance companies upon knowing that they have to travel on Ugandan roads.

In an effort to reduce this problem, the minister promised to work with the ministry of internal affairs to ensure that the problem is solved.

"I will work with the ministry of internal affairs to reduce the road accidents because they are a threat to tourism" said minister.

The Ministers pledged to work with UWA to secure the protected areas that are threatened by encroachment.