Tour firms back IGG on gorilla probe

TOUR operators have welcomed the Inspector General of Government’s (IGG) probe into the monopoly rights given to a private firm to sell gorilla tracking permits in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The deal, which attracted a lot of opposition from tour firms, was given to the Nkuringo conservation and Development Foundation. Boniface Byamukama, the new president of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators, said the IGG’s report on Nkuringo was welcome, but added that it should not be a source of more problems in the sector.

“The IGG report is timely and we hope the relevant authorities will take action. “However, we don’t want it to cause commotion in the sector,” said Byamukama at the organisation’s annual general meeting at the Kampala Serena Hotel.

He promised to work with the Uganda Tourism Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to promote tourism in Uganda. Allan Emejeit of Equatorial Wild Safaris, Geoffrey Baluku from African Pearl Safaris and Pearl of Africa Tours and Travel’s Kelly McTavish were elected vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer respectively.

According to the report, the IGG directed UWA to cancel the contract, saying it was illegal. “The report will be a stepping stone in streamlining our industry,” added Baluku, the new secretary.

“The ministry of tourism should strengthen its supervisory role over UWA, without being informed of what it has already done regardless of its irregularity,” the IGG recommended in the report. Tour operators, led by James Bakeine, in 2007 complained to the IGG’s office about the irregularities in the gorilla trekking.

They argued then that the Uganda Wildlife Authority had signed the contract with a company to sell gorilla tracking permits, creating unfair competition. The IGG directed that the Nkuringo foundation be wound up because it does not serve the interests of the Nkuringo community.

For your Kenya safaris and Rwanda safaris