RE-OPENING OF THE NATIONAL PARKS IN UGANDA

The great novel of COVID -19 brought in a depression in the tourism sector. Due to this deadly virus, many tourist destinations couldn’t be reached or accessed because of the limitation in the transport networks, border closures and fear to infect the beloved wildlife species with the corona virus. However the good news is the re-opening of national parks in Uganda is underway.

In order to protect and the conserve the wildlife in their destinations, a number of rules and guidelines had to be developed. The management of Uganda wildlife authority on March 25^th 2020 issued a document concerning the closure of the protected areas.

With the following guidelines;

• Primate tourism and research in all the protected areas was suspended until April 30, 2020
• Filming of the primates was suspended until April 30, 2020
• Trackers would be provided with necessary PPE to avoid passing on any possible infection to the primates
• Commercial motorcycles (boda bodas) and bicycles were prohibited in the protected areas.
• An internal COVID-19 task force was formed to work closely with the national task force and update and guide management on the day –to- day developments in the containment of the spread off COVID 19 and its implications to wildlife conservation and tourism in the protected areas.
• They relaxed the rescheduling of gorilla and chimpanzee tracking. Tour operators were allowed to reschedule tracking permits for a maximum of two times. The offer was valid even for those who booked with 30% down payment. This measure was intended to give tour operators and visitors more flexibility to avoid cancellation of trips already booked.
• All the stuffs were directed to be vigilant, wash their hands thoroughly with soap or alcohol based solutions, keep social distance to avoid contracting the virus.

It was mentioned that the above measures greatly impacted the tourism sector but they were necessary to protect and the conserve the wildlife in the protected areas.

Later on as society was adapting to live with the virus , the management of Uganda wildlife authority issued a public statement on 5^th, 2020 informing the public about the reopening of the savannah parks in Uganda, while the primate parks where still under closure.

More guidelines to follow;

• Mandatory temperature screening using non-contact infa –red thermometers at the key tourism gates of the different protected areas.
• Mandatory hand showing /sanitizing at the entrances of all UWA premises and protected areas.
• Government guide lines of carrying half capacity In order to observe social distance shall apply to the use of vehicles and boats in the parks. These include concessionaire delivery vehicles.
• Saloon cars vehicles were not permitted  in the parks  at the same time for the activities
• Events such as destination weddings were not permitted in the interim
• Visitors going to the park were encouraged to carry their own hand sanitizer and face-masks.

All the above guidelines were to be followed in case anyone accessed the opened protected areas. It is of recent on 3^rd September when the great news kicked in, as the protected areas including of the primate park were now open for tourism activities. A press release issued by Uganda wildlife authority informed the public about the reopening of all the protected-areas in Uganda.

This comes in with the new joys of the primate’s parks, as birth the Mgahinga and Bwindi sector kicked off. Not to forget the rhino birth in Ziwa rhino sanctuary and a baby giraffe birth in Lake Mburo national park. Giving a whole new feel and experiences to the tourists that will visit the protected areas.

During the uncertain travel and tour times, there has been an encouragement for domestic tourism around the pearl of Africa. There has been an increase in the sensitization about the available tour destinations that the nationals can explore and enjoy.

Different stakeholders in the tourism industry issued guidelines to be followed too. Some new some old but refurbished.

The re-opening of the national parks in Uganda provides great hope and also encourages domestic and international tourism in the country.