Kidepo national park in the North Eastearn region of Uganda is a unique game reserve with endemic species of flora and fauna. The park being one of the most remote in Uganda is accessed mainly by high-end tourists and therefore has very few accommodation options especially budget safari lodges. The most used accommodation being that of Apoka safari lodge, owned by the Uganda Safari company which is a luxury safari lodge.
There are a number of other safari lodges located in Kidepo national park however most are mid-range and budget accommodation options. One of these is Katurum safari lodge which is in a dilapidated state. The President of Uganda, Mr. Yoweri Museveni issued a directive to the Uganda Wildlife Authority – UWA the body responsible for running Uganda’s wildlife resources to hand over management of the safari lodge to Mr. Cornelius Kodet a local businessman in the tour and travel industry.
Katurum safari lodge was constructed in the 1970s but was later run down and vandalized when Amin was overthrown. The roof was completely vandalized by the locals who vandalized the roofing materials. Mr Kodet is the proprietor of Aero beach in Entebbe, Mount Moroto Hotel in Moroto and Apule Safari Lodge in Mbale.
This was directive was in a letter dated May 14th to the Minister of Trade Tourism and Industries Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire through the former President’s Principal Private secretary Ms. Amelia Kyambadde. The letter authorized the Minister to give the safari lodge to Mr. Cornelius Kodet to carry out renovations and management.
This was in accordance to a meeting between the president and Mr. Cornelius Kodet at the State House in Entebbe in which Mr. Cornelius requested the President to allow him carry out renovations and take possession of Katurum Safari lodge.
The Minister of Trade Tourism and Industries, Mr. Kahinda Otafiire carried out the directive allowing Mr. Cornelius to take over the safari lodge. However, the Uganda Wildlife Authority rejected the offer saying Mr. Cornelius cannot take over the control of the safari lodge as the hand over did not follow proper procedures.
In a letter dated Oct. 26th 2010 to Mr. Kodet, the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority – UWA said they could not agree to a concession arrangement with Mr. Kodet due to the fact that the transactions to acquire the land did not follow the proper Public Procurement regulations.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority in the letter acknowledged the different correspondences between Mr. Kodet and the Minister of Trade Tourism and Industry but said they couldn’t go ahead with the transactions as the business man had not furnished them with a proper business plan.
Ms. Lilian Nsubuga the spokesperson for the Uganda Wildlife Authority said she was aware of the situation however she did not have any updated information. She said Katurum safari lodge is one of Uganda Wildlife Authority properties which was advertised via the International Tender of Joint Ventures.
When asked Mr. Kodet said that he was told by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade Tourism and Industry, Mr. Julius Onen that the presidential directive was not binding. He however said that he had submitted his investment plan to the president and would start working on the property immediately.
Uganda has a lot to offer visitors to the Country including Mountain gorilla tours, birding safaris and other adventure sporting activities like white water rafting on the Nile river in addition to Rwanda safari packages like gorilla trekking as well as Kenya safaris like Masai Mara tour. Uganda gorilla tours and gorilla trek in Uganda
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