Aviation Industry Gains Momentum

Uganda’s aviation industry is springing with new momentum, from the introduction of new airlines, to additional and convenient flights by traditional operators.

Last month, Fly540, a new airline from Kenya started low cost daily flights from Entebbe to Nairobi, South African Airways (SAA) unveiled daily flights to Johannesburg, while, Air Uganda increased the number of it aircrafts to three.

Fly540 which flies to several destinations in Kenya hit the Entebbe-Nairobi route on February 26 with an introductory fee of $79 for a one way trip to Nairobi and vice versa, excluding of airport taxes. Its offer is now the lowest on the route closely followed by Air Uganda’s $95 exclusive of airport taxes levy while Kenya Airways charges $141 exclusive of airport tax for a similar option.

The new airline launched on the route to tap into opportunities offered by the steady growth of air travellers from Kenya to Uganda and vice versa. “The popularity of our flights between Nairobi, Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Kisumu and Eldoret has driven our plan to establish similar operations in other African countries,” Mr. Don Smith, the chief executive officer of Fly540 was quoted saying recently.

Fly 540 started operations with a 48 passenger-seater aircraft and is scheduled to bring to the skies, a larger ATR 72-500 which can carry 72 passengers at ago.
Mr. Ignie Igundura, the communications director of Civil Aviation Authority said the recent developments in the industry are a result of the expansion of Uganda’s economy and its growing profile as a destination for investors and international business meetings.
“No airline will begin business on a route unless that route makes business sense. So the heightened activity at Entebbe is reflective of what is happening in our economy and the country as a whole,” he said.

According to Mr. Igundura, Uganda’s air traffic has noticeably surged since the country hosted the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government in November last year.

But what rendered Uganda’s aviation industry even greater boost could be the deadly post-election violence that engulfed Kenya in late December to early February.
Kenya has traditionally hogged tourists to East Africa and hosting of business conferences but international media inundating viewers across the rich world with gory images of death and destruction, most tourists either cancelled their trips or diverted them to Uganda.

Uganda has also seen more passengers fly into the country since late last year.
This mainly attributed to the successful hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in November 2007.

This has resulted into more international conferences hosted here with the latest being Zain Group’s the Accelerate, Consolidate, Expand (ACE) Conference and the Afro-Arab conference. Uganda air traffic has surged to 720,000 travellers per year, from 551,853 in 2005, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

Mr. Igundura predicted a better future for the industry.
“We are harmonizing our aviation rules and regulation and soon the East African Community will be one sky and that spur business more,” he said.
For the new airlines, there is pressure to quickly build capacity so they can prepare to absorb some of unforeseen upsets that may materialise in the market.
On March 1, Air Uganda, flew a new McDonnell Douglas (MD)-87, passenger aircraft to Entebbe International Airport. The MD has with 99 seats (20 Business class and 79 Economy) compared to 72, of the old planes.

Mr. Vittorio Scabbia, the Commercial Director of Air Uganda: “Its greatest attribute is the spacious interior, large luggage space and comfortable leather seating.” The airplane is 50 per cent cheaper in fuel consumption and can use shorter runways, which gives it flexibility.
The airline is currently providing transport services to East Africans flying from Entebbe to Nairobi (Kenya), Dar-es-Salaam and Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) and Juba (South Sudan), at the most competitive rates. The company’s passenger numbers have already grown from 1000 in December 2007 to over 10,000 by the end of February. There are plans to expand flights to other regions including West Africa.
But the entry of new airlines like Air Uganda and Virgin Airline on Kenya Airways routes coupled with other factors had diverse effects on its 2007 first half year pre-tax profits.

On the international routes, South Africa Airways started daily flights from Entebbe to Johannesburg while Brussels introduced another flight to Amsterdam on Thursday. The moves are aimed to increase convenience and flexibility to cater for needs of the ballooning number of flyers on the routes. SAA has also reduced its fare to $400 for a return ticket to Johannesburg.
South Africa has seen a growing number of Ugandans arriving there for business, tourism and studies, according to the country’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Mr. Henry Chiliza.

South African investors, too, she said, have been coming to Uganda in rising numbers. The new package is also a boost to South Africa which yet to host the 2010 World Cup, for the first time.
“We hope that this flight will encourage more international visitors during the World Cup in 2010 to pass through Uganda for both tourism and business purposes,” Mr. Chiliza said, adding that SAA has provided the capacity to ensure that everyone who wishes to be part of the world cup in South Africa would arrive there safely and on time.
The new aviation developments only make life easier for air travellers who have had a few options on the route for more than a decade. This is despite the fact that they had to meet the high charged by the few airlines and travel at hours as inconvenient as 5:00 am.
The general outlook projects that the entire transport sector is rising. Road transport is improving with the emergency of more tarmac roads like the Northern By pass and Jinja- Bugiri highway.

Ethiopian airlines acquires new simulator.

Ethiopian Airlines has purchased a B737 Next Generation flight simulator from Flight Safety International, a US-based company.

“This simulator is not only for Ethiopian Airlines but also for sisterly African carriers,” Girma Wake, the airline’s chief executive officer, said in a statement.

Wake said the airline would save $800,000 annually, which was previously spent on training pilots from abroad.

The simulator was approved by the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority as a Level D simulator, the best in the industry.

The simulator is installed adjacent to the airline’s B767/B757 simulator. The B767/B757 simulator has been serving Ethiopian Airlines and other carriers from Africa and the Middle East for the last 15 years.

Ethiopian Airline’s pilot training school, which was started in 1956, has trained many pilots in Africa.

Parliament Passes Tourism Bill

Parliament has passed the Uganda Tourism Bill 2007 into law. The new law that was passed on Tuesday 19th February 2008 will govern Tourism activities in the country.

The State Minister for Tourism, Hon Serapio Rukundo said it would accelerate the development of the sector. The law was good because it was friendly to the private sector that drives tourism, he noted.

The law sets standards, provides for licensing, regulating and controlling the Tourism sector. It will give effect to the implementation of the Tourism Policy 2003 and reconstitute the Uganda Tourist Board to make it private sector-driven. A Tourism development levy will be charged to establish Tourism Development Fund.

The chairman of the committee on Tourism, Mr. Pereza Ahabwe, said the law on Tourism was spread out in several laws in an uncoordinated manner but the new law would change that. It also repeals the Hotels Act, the Tourist Agents Licensing Act and the Uganda Tourist Board Act.

The committee noted that the process of registration and licensing would be undertaken at a scale of fees to be determined in consultation with all the stakeholders involved in the industry.

Uganda is Ebola Free

Uganda was declared free of the deadly Ebola virus by the Minister of Health, Dr Stephen Mallinga.

The announcement came 42 days after the last Ebola patient was discharged from hospital which, according to the World Health Organisation, was the number of days that would pass without any new cases before a country could declare itself Ebola-free.

To mitigate the effect of future outbreaks, the Ministry promised to strengthen the Uganda Virus Research Institute and ensure its capability in handling dangerous organisms.

Riffles Connected to the Killing of Tourist Discovered.

Four riffles believed to belong to the killers of a Belgian Tourist were recovered from people illegally settling within Mount Elgon National Park and three more suspects were arrested in relation to the murder.

“Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in consultations and support of the police and UPDF mounted an operation aimed at restoring law and order in the park.
Intelligence had been gathered relating to the shooting of the tourist and six suspects had been arrested and four riffles recovered from people illegally settling within the park, ” Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority Moses Mapesa in a press statement said.

He, however , said an operation to rid the park of criminals and encroachers was being undertaken humanely and so far there had been cooperation from the neighboring community as they had agreed to leave voluntarily knowing they were in the park illegally.

Army assures north of peace
The Uganda Peoples Defence Force 5th Division Commander said the people of northern Uganda would have no more problems caused by the rebel Lords Resistance Army and Karamojong warriors.
Col. Kidega said the disarmament exercise in Karamoja went on peacefully as planned.

UPDF Boosts Tourists’ Security in Mbale

The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) beefed up security at the Mt Elgon National Park to give adequate protection to the tourists.

This follows a recent incident where a Belgian tourist, Ms Annick Van Dvenster, was shot dead by a thug in Mt Elgon National Park.

The incident described by Uganda Wildlife Authority [UWA] as nasty and first of its kind since they took over management of the park.
The army spokesman Captain Paddy Ankunda confirmed the UPDF had been deployed in the National park to adequately and effectively provide security to tourists.

The Third Division Commander, Brig. Patrick Kankiriho said the division had deployed a heavily armed force at Mt. Elgon National Park and that the army is hunting for the culprits.

UPDF sources also revealed that the army had offered a standby helicopter gunship stationed at Moroto 3rd Division Headquarters, to monitor and arrest any suspected armed thug roaming the National park.

Sources revealed that Major Edward Talungu has pitched camped at the park to oversee the UPDF deployment.
Meanwhile, three people have been arrested in connection with the killing of the Belgian tourist.
They were being held at Bugema Army garrison.

Mbale Resort Hotel
As the scorching sun descends onto busy human traffic going about their daily chores in Mbale Municipality, a number of people make their way towards Bungokho Road in senior quarters.

The exception to this is Mbale Resort Hotel where a variety, value and generous portions reign.

A visit here reveals that most of the clients seem to be predominantly expatriates; this can partly be attributed to the wireless internet, swimming pool, recreational games, health club and spacious restaurant where a wide range of dishes from Chinese, Indian and English cuisine are served plus a variety of buffets for various other races.

The class here is not only reflected in the buildings and beautiful environment but also in decor, ambience and menu; flowery and overly ambitious. The building style is modern and construction is still going on to turn the place into the first four star hotel in Mbale.

The compound is very attractive while the inside is comfortable compared to that you would find in your home; this is what makes it a favorite for the myriad of visitors who trek there daily.
The food was well prepared, the variety good and the portions generous. The beef stew was tender and tasty while the matooke was well cooked for long hours.

Being a modern hotel, there is an abundance of different types of coffees from which to choose including gourmet coffee au lait and single or double cappuccino. Of course there are also a number of assorted frappes and milk shakes as well as juices, and don't forget to check out their fugato.
. The pastries consist Danish and plain cookies, doughnuts, croissants and the fancy stuff such as chocolate éclair, strudels and creamy cakes.

For breakfast, they have chosen to have two offerings, one for Shs8,000, for an all day breakfast where you go the whole hog and indulge in a couple of eggs any style, bacon, bangers, baked beans, sausages, grilled tomatoes, fries and coffee or tea.

The main course has a selection of grills such as chicken, lamb chops, sticks and fish fillet.

On Saturdays, you have the cultural nights; local music, traditional foods and local attire while on Sundays termed as family out day, you have entertainment for children sponsored by Coca Cola and Club.

The standards at Mbale Resort Hotel are high and the quality of food is consistent while the service remains superb. The ample parking space is a plus and makes it ever so convenient for all classes.

Six arrested over killing Belgian tourist

A combined force from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the army and the Police have arrested six people suspected of involvement in the shooting of a Belgian tourist in Mt. Elgon National Park two weeks ago, a statement from UWA said yesterday.

“It has been established that when the killers saw the campfire the rangers had lit to keep them warm, they thought it was a ranger patrol. Their plan was to kill the rangers and steal their guns.”

Belgian Tourist Annick Van De Venster was shot by unknown gunmen at Hunters’ Cave, 3,870m above sea level, in the evening of February 5.

The 35-year-old mountain climber had arrived in Uganda on January 28 for a one-month tour.

Upon hearing gunshots, she came out of her tent with a headlight and was shot in the waist.

A UPDF plane that was sent to pick her, failed to land due to poor visibility caused by bad weather conditions.

Following the shooting, UWA together with UPDF sent deployments to the mountain to hunt for the culprits.

“One of the tragedies happening in Mt. Elgon is the rampant encroachment on the park, coupled by heavily armed community members that wantonly attack and injure or kill UWA’s law enforcement staff,” Nsubuga noted.

She cited an incident four years ago when two UWA rangers were shot dead while on patrol in the mountain, and their guns stolen.

“UWA will ensure that incidents of this nature never happen again. All avenues of ensuring absolute safety for our tourists in Mt. Elgon National Park are being implemented,” Nsubuga vowed.

She pointed out that tourism in the park had tremendously grown in recent years and that the surrounding communities had benefited from the increase.

“The districts of Mbale, Sironko and Kapchorwa have received large amounts of money through UWA’s Revenue Sharing programme, whereby neighbouring communities receive 20% of the annual park entry fees.”

Murchison Falls to get $5m hotel
THE Madhvani Group signed a $5m agreement with Seyani Brothers to upgrade Chobe Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park to a five-star luxury hotel.
The constructor had been given 52 weeks to complete work, according to the deal signed over the weekend.

Martyn Clark, the Madhvani Group projects manager, said the construction works would be guided by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the National Environment Management Authority.

He said the new lodge would have a cascading pool facing River Nile, modern staff quarters and an airstrip to ease access to the Murchison National Park.
Sam Rutega, the Madhvani Tourism portfolio chairman, said the investment was part of the group’s objective to promote the tourism sector.

“We were delayed to start off because of the insurgency in the north.
“But now with peace returning, we are going to invest in that area,” Rutega said


Mihingo Lodge Activities
Mihingo lodge is located in Lake Mburo National Park The total distance from Kampala is 242 km and the drive takes about 3 ½ hours. It is 22 km from main road, 16 km after Lyantonde and about 90 km after Masaka (220 km from Kampala centre) turn left towards Nshara Gate, Lake Mburo National Park, the first gate when coming from Kampala. The gate is 9 km from main road. 5 km after Nshara gate turn sharp left onto Ruroko Track. Follow this track and then follow the signs to Mihingo Lodge. After 6 km you will enter open grasslands in a valley, slightly to the right ahead of you Mihingo Lodge is situated on top of a Rock Formation. Continue to follow the signs to Mihingo Lodge.

There are plenty of activities to keep guests busy even when staying for 3 days. The early morning walk to see the hyenas on foot is very popular. Everybody coming to Lake Mburo should visit the Kazuma look-out point which can now easily be reached from Mihingo Lodge via the Ruroko track which has just been graded or via the connection to the Research Track, which is shorter and has more game. The boat trip and other game drives especially on the Eland Track are also great. If organized beforehand, afternoon game walks around the lodge are also a very enjoyable way to spend the afternoon. Many guests are just as happy to simply stay at the lodge for 2 days and watch the animals coming to the water hole and relax by the pool or at their very privately located rooms.

Currently, they are building stables for 8 horses and will start riding in the next few months, perhaps by June or July this year.
To see more of the lodge photos, log on to their website www.mihingolodge.com

Queen Elizabeth II’s tree gets a cage
An eight-feet-high cage has been installed around the memorial tree planted by Queen Elizabeth II in the Parliament’s gardens during her visit last November. The Queen planted the Cycad palm tree when she came to preside over the Commonwealth summit.

The tree was bought from the National Forestry Authority gardens. “We want to protect the tree from damage posed by Marabou Storks (Kalooli),”
“The concrete pavement was removed to pave way for planting grass to ensure that the tree grows in a green environment.” Hellen Kawesa, the Parliaments Public Relations Officer said.

However, we have to give special attention to the memorial tree because the species is delicate.”

Ssese Habitat, a new lodge in Kalangala.
In order to boost the tourism sector, a city businessman has opened up a new resort centre on Lake Victoria’s Bugala Island.

The centre, called Ssese Habitat, occupies 80 acres in Bujumba constituency, Kalangala district. Stephen Kibuuka Mulowooza owns the multi-million resort, which has a sand beach and self-contained apartments.

“This place has four apartments. There are single, double and family rooms and we are still constructing,”

The resort targets tourists who enjoy bird-watching, camping, sunbathing and swimming at the beach.

British Airways to launch Terminal 5 in Heathrow.
British Airways passengers departing from Heathrow will quickly applaud the airline’s effort in trying to put the joy back into air travel after Terminal 5 is launched on March 27. Apart from being a glass architectural wonder, Terminal 5 promises to guarantee smoother check-in, fewer queues and less waiting around.

And since British Airways cannot get an extra runway to add to the two at Heathrow, they can at least chest thump about this venture that took 15 years to build and cost a whopping £4.3billion. Imagine completing your checking-in session in just 10 minutes upon arriving at the airport. Now that is something the passenger traveling from Heathrow to Entebbe may want to toast to.
British Airways hopes to make this possible by having 80 percent of its passengers checking in online. It is hoped that the remainder will use any of the 96 self-service kiosks at Terminal 5’s departure section. The terminal is expected to handle up to 30 million passengers a year.

Travelers that have only hand-luggage will proceed to security while those with luggage can use any of the 96 fast “bag drops” and British Airways is promising there will be no more than one person in front of you. Passengers traveling First, Club World, Club Europe class or Gold and Silver Executive Club members will be able to go through their own designated Fast Track Security.
Passengers unfamiliar with the online or kiosk check-in will have British Airways staff on hand to help them check-in. International passengers will have to show their boarding pass at security but domestic passengers will have their fingerprint checked using biometric scanners at security and again at the boarding gate. Gates will be no more than a six-minute walk from security.

However, passengers arriving from Africa will have to wait until April 30 when all intercontinental flights will be streamlined under Terminal 5.
With the time saving check-in routine that Terminal 5 offers, passengers will now have more time for fun things like eating, shopping or relaxing which the new terminal is not short of. For those wishing to dispose off that pound sterling before they depart, Terminal 5 has an array of lounge shops, restaurants and bars. It is promising shopping heaven from classy perfumes, electronic gadgets, music and books.

For those arriving at Heathrow, British Airways promises that their bags will be waiting for them at the trendy carousels by the time you have cleared with immigration.
And since every traveler likes to be assured that their baggage will arrive with them at their destination, British Airways has taken such immense care to create a system passengers at Terminal 5 can trust.

The new system has some very useful innovations that will make it much easier for passengers traveling with slightly longer items like golf clubs. It features a high-tech hoist, which takes your case and ‘injects’ it into the baggage system which features 18km of conveyer belts and intelligent baggage carts running on 4.5km of rails, ensuring that a passenger’s bag reaches a gate in 15 minutes.
A state-of-the-art tracking system means that the whereabouts of a passenger’s baggage is known all the time. Overall, the system can handle 12,000 bags an hour, moving them as fast as 30mph on 18km of belts.

Terminal 5 is a monstrosity- the size of 50 football pitches. It was built by the British Airports Authority for British Airways and is poised to become a British landmark like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye. The Windsor Castle and Wembley Arch are visible through Terminal 5’s floor to ceiling windows that also give outstanding views of the runways, aircraft and the British countryside.

British Airways hopes to use Terminal 5 as a showpiece for conserving the environment. Eighty-five percent of rainwater that hits the building will be re-used for non-potable uses, reducing demands on the mains system by 70 percent.

Also 85 percent of Terminal 5’s heat will be supplied by excess heat produced from the Heathrow heat and power station, piped through an underground tunnel. Terminal 5 is built on reclaimed land from a previous sludge works while 30,000 native woodland plants and 4,000 trees and shrubs are being planted around Terminal 5. Smarter runway and airport design means aircraft engines idle less, reducing emissions. Aircraft will do less taxiing too.

More Tourists Visiting North and Eastern national parks.
More tourists are visiting North and Eastern Uganda National Parks, a trend that has been attributed to increased confidence in the security situation in the regions and better pubic perception of Uganda as a tourist destination.

The Public relations Manager of Uganda Wildlife Authority, Ms Lillian Nsubuga said on Tuesday that the number of tourists who visited Murchison Falls National Park increased from 2,741 in 2006 to 3,451 in the 2007.

Despite its serenity and large wildlife population numbers, the parks had not been attracting many tourists due to insecurity fears caused by the Toposa warriors among the Karamojong community.
The security situation led to the closure of the Northern gateway into Murchison Falls National Park in 2006.

However, visitors to Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable, and Lake Mburo National Parks reduced overall from 10,170 during the December 2006 festive season to 9,464 in 2007.

Cattle Thieves kill Tourist
A tourist from Deurne near Antwerp in Belgium died yesterday the 6th of February 2008 after being shot at the previous night by cattle rustlers on Mt Elgon National Park. Annick Van De Venster, 35, was shot in the waist at a place called Hunters’ Cave close to the top of the mountain where she had camped for the night with her guides and porters. The shooting took place at 8:30 pm.

The Executive Director, Moses Mapesa, disclosed that the area where Annick Van De Venster was murdered has for years been a haven for criminals.

“Although cattle thieves sometimes hide in the mountain before crossing, into either country (Uganda and Kenya) to steal cows, they had never attacked tourists. But they have engaged our staff before.

“We believe the people who shot at the tourist’s group mistook it to be a rival camp of cattle thieves,” Mapesa told journalists in Kampala.

Van De Venster, who had a headlamp, was shot in the waist as she came out of her tent.

The spot where she was killed is 3,870m above sea level.

According to wildlife officials, Hunters Cave is used when tourists are too tired to descend to Mudde campsite, which lies halfway between the mountain peak and its base.

Mapesa, who described the tragedy as an isolated incident, gave assurance that all tourist sites in Uganda are safe. “This incident will not in anyway affect the tourism industry and the national park will not be closed.”

A total of 10 tourists, he disclosed, are currently climbing Mount Elgon: five American, three Britons and two Swiss.

“We are working very closely with the UPDF to comb the mountain and ensure that there is absolute security for the tourists who are currently there,” Mapesa said.

By press time, a team of wildlife officials and the local community had carried the body to the base of the 4,321m high mountain.

The body was to be transported in an army ambulance to Bugema Police barracks, where the Police doctor will carry out a postmortem.

Thereafter, it will be transported to Kampala, where it will be handed over to the Belgian Embassy.

MPS Urge Government to Increase Funding For Marketing Tourism
Members of Parliament have called on Government to inject more funds into marketing Uganda’s tourism potential if the country is to reap more from the sector.

The legislators said it was not enough for Government to keep chorusing that: “Uganda is gifted by nature” when it’s only Ugandans aware of this.
“As long as there is no aggressive marketing strategy, we will not gain much,” said Alice Alaso (FDC).

The MPs were on Wednesday debating the report of the sessional committee on tourism, trade and industry on the Uganda Tourism Bill 2007, presented by John Kawanga (DP).
The Bill was later passed with minor amendments.

The new law will reconstitute the Uganda Tourist Board as the Uganda Tourism Board and make it private-sector driven, establish a Tourism Development Levy, Tourism Development Fund.

Upon enactment, the Bill will repeal the laws governing the tourism industry.

Most MPs called upon Government to construct and improve the infrastructure that supports the industry.


UGANDA AT FITUR TOURIST EXBITION IN MADRID

Ugandan Tour operators will be attending the International Tourist Exbition of Fitur in Madrid from the 30th of January to the 3rd of February 2008.The companies participating include:-
- Acacia safaris
- Great lakes safaris
- Asyanut safaris
- O solemio

They are to have a cocktail and entertainment event at the stand during the exbition, showing images of the country, explaining to tourists about the industry, the hotel sector and the security situation of the country.
They will be also launching a press release to present Uganda .

GERMAN PRINCE INTERESTED IN UGANDAS TOURISM

German Prince Albrecht Zu Oettingen has expressed interest in investing in Uganda ’s tourism sector. The prince, who was invited by Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, recently described his planned investment as ‘a venture to provide better value for money for the local people’.
Oettingen made the remarks while touring Queen Elizabeth National Park , Mburo Game Reserve and Chambura gorge in Mbarara and Kasese.

He was accompanied by his wife, Princess Angela Zu Oettingen, their daughter Antonia and businessman Wilfried Pabst, who runs businesses in Zimbabwe and South Africa .
“ Uganda ’s flora and fauna is so impressive and ranks the country as one of the best destinations for tourism investment opportunities in Africa ,” Oettingen said.

The prince was impressed by the Eland, Antelopes, Zebras, Topis, Impalas and birds found in Lake Mburo National Park .

At Chambura, the chimps, which live in the 100-metre gorge, carved out by the Chambura River , left the prince and his group mesmerised.

They discussed value addition to agricultural products in Uganda , the tourism potential and how the wildlife areas could benefit their surrounding communities through proper management of the environment