UGANDA TO BECOME A REGIONAL RICE EXPORTER

In a miniature garden at the Entebbe Botanical beach garden,  which is about 40 kilo metres from Kampala, a few yellowish plants are trying to become accustomed to their new milieu.

John Mulumba Waswa a plant grower and head of the National Generic Centre at Entebbe says they are genus of wild rice assortments composed from Uganda’s forests and they are now being simulated and the species may be extorted to form a new type of rice.  He added that these rice species have genes that enable them fight against diseases like yellow mottle and notorious rice disease and he wishes to get them to use them in developing new types of rice to improve on the existing rice.

The rice yellow mottle virus is common in Uganda and the biggest threat to the country’s move to become a major rice producer. According to the European Journal of Plant Pathology, the virus stunts the growth of the plant, causing “crinkling, mottling and yellowish streaking of the leaves.

Uganda yields about 180,000 metric tons of rice compared to local demand for the cereal that stands at 240,000 metric tons. Statistics from the Uganda revenue authority show that the East African country spends 60 million dollars per annum on rice imports to coat the demand shortage.  Nevertheless, the introduction of the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) – rice developed by the West Africa Rice Development Association to improve the yield of African rice diversities – has helped to cub the demand. The project to perk up local rice yields  to develop disease defiance and early ripeness varieties is part of a wider program to change  Uganda from a rice importer to a regional exporter.

Asea told IPS that more rice types  like Super , congo , among others will be picked and a gene bank or germ plasma will be developed for more research. Asea added that there is a plan to shorten the period of maturity  for the rice types that we have in Uganda  from 8 months to 3 -4 months.

However  Dr. David Kamukama whose is the  vice chairman of- National Organic Agriculture Movement in Uganda says that the country may  lose out on the regional market by going GM when other countries  in the in the  Common Market for East Africa region oppose the idea. Uganda’s  biggest rice market is Southern Sudan and Rwanda who will not allow GMO’s. And the East African Community hasn’t  harmonized their position on this. He deems that Uganda can improve its rice production without interfering with the present rice species by merely creating right of entry to markets to improve production and sensitizing farmers  about better farming methods. But the project for GM rice is still going ahead. NACRRI received six million dollars from the republic of Japan in July for the construction of a regional centre for farmers and scientists majoring in rice production.

Under Japan’s African Development initiative it also launched the Coalition for African Rice Development. It is research collaboration on rice whose goal is to double rice production between 2008 and 2018. Asea hopes researchers will be able to develop a genetically modified rice variety soon. Salongo Waswa, a rice farmer in Wakiso district on the periphery of Kampala, is worried that the new rice varieties being promised may not be as tasty as the ones he has been growing for years.

Salongo Waswa is also concerned if he will become dependent on suppliers for seed, like is currently the case with the farmers of NERICA rice. “With the Supper rice you see here I just pick a few seeds from the last harvest which I plant and I don’t have to buy (more seed). I hope that will be the case with the new rice. But Entebbe Botanical garden’s John Mulumba Waswa says that the adaption of the wild rice is predictable  because many crops in present day farming are as a result of taming into domestic in antediluvian times and later improved.

The wild rice grown and eroded from the Mabira natural forest in central Uganda may not be indigenous to Uganda but are alleged to have adapted to the climate  here .  It is a peculiarity that scientists suppose can be extorted and entrenched in potential varieties.   Rice is one of the continental foods that Uganda produces and once improved, this will help the tourism industry stakeholders like hoteliers in a way that they will not  have to import  better quality rice from other countries but will instead purchase it from the local industry a factor that  may help in reduction of food prices for  in the Uganda tourism industry.

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5 DAYS TOUR TO BWINDI NATIONAL PARK AND QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK GORILLA AND UGANDA SAFARI


Day One: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for Gorilla Trekking

Early in the morning, have breakfast then drive to the gorilla sanctuary through the stunning mountain landscape called the little Switzerland. Reach Bwindi in the evening.  If you are trekking gorillas in the southern part of Bwindi , you will have  to stay at either  Kisoro or Nkuringo or the nearest lodge  near your trekking group .  Bwindi National park has  6 habituated gorilla families that are tracked by tourists . Four of them are the  Buhoma Vicinity while two are in the southern part of Bwindi known as  Mkuringo and Nshongi  families of Bwindi Gorillas. Buhoma is 10 kilo metres from Bwindi’s Second gorilla trekking location at Nkuringo which is on the southern edge  of the forest however the distance  covered by  the Bwindi Gorilla Trekking forest and the lovely walk between the two sites takes at least four -10 hours because you encounter the gorillas.  The Nkuringo tailhead lies on the isolated Nteko Ridge which enjoys magnificent views across Bwindi Forest for the North and Virunga Volcanoes for the south .  The four families in Buhoma include, Mubare(M) group , Habinyanja group(H) , Rushegura Group ( R) and Bitukura group ( B) which is in Ruhija.  Bwindi Gorilla National park not only supports gorillas but also a tremendous biodiversity of flora and fauna . It is a prime destination for bird lovers . When most of Africa’s rain forests disappeared during  the arid conditions of the ice age, Bwindi  is one of the few refugia that survived.  The flora and fauna in this tropical rain forest include; 310 speacies of butterflies, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths, and unique 120 types of mammals that also include 10 primates species.  The primates species in this park include; Chimpanzees, L’ Hoest Monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys , retailed and blue monkeys , baboons  and the legendary endangered  mountain gorillas.  You will retire for dinner and overnight at

Budget accommodation – Buhoma Community Bandas or Bwindi view Bandas or Virunga Hotel in Kisoro, or Kisoro tourist hotel ./Heritage  guest house

Mid range accommodation – Lake Kitandara camp /Engagi lodge/ Travelers’ rest hotel in Kisoro

Standard accommodation – Buhoma Lodge / Silver back lodge / Gorilla Resort Camp/ Nkuringo camp site cabins in Kisoro / Gorilla Safari Lodge/ Wag Tail Eco lodge.

Luxury accommodation – Gorilla Forest camp or Clouds lodge in Kisoro

Day Two: Bwindi Gorilla trekking

Have breakfast in the morning and with packed lunch, head to the park headquarters and be briefed by the park ranger guides .Embark on 30 minutes – 8 hours trek hunting for the Mountain gorillas . Gorilla trekking starts at the spot where the gorillas were last seen the previous day.   Tracking gorillas is a captivation and memorable experience that repays the efforts required to reach Bwindi and to trek through the gorilla forest . After observing the gorillas, return to your accommodation of your budget for dinner and overnight.

Day Three: Transfer to Queen and   Uganda Safari in Ishasha sector

After early breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park.  The 1978km2  Park is set on the rift valley floor between Lake Edward and lake George which a component of habitats supports 95 mammal species and a remarkable 612 species of birds. Some years ago , Douglas Willocks described Queen Elizabeth National park’s bio diversity as having almost all panoramic features one may need in nature !  That is  the blue Rwenzori exploded from the plain , a composite jagged mass of mountains, -sixty miles long and forty wide   looking in certain lights as if  you could reach out to touch them…………… The eastern boundaries marked by the calm green escarpment  of the western arm and between all hills, mountains and lakes is the endless savannah constantly repeated motif and branched cactus  arms of the candelabra- euphorbia  tree.  You will drive through the  Ishasha sector  which is 100 km south of Mweya to experience the true wilderness composed of the Ishasha river , savannah wood land, and the Marshy lake Edward floor which harbor the  tree climbing lions  and the  rare shoe bill stork.    You will retire for dinner and overnight at

Luxury accommodation at Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge   or Katara Lodge

Mid range accommodation:  Hippo Hill Camp or Ihamba Lodge

Budget accommodation:  Simba Safari camp or Mweya hostel

Day Four: Game drive  and launch cruise

Take your early morning cup of coffee to warm up and then go for a morning  game drive and view animals like antelopes, Buffaloes, leopards, Jackals, Elephants, warthogs, Hyenas, lions, and others. After, have breakfast and relax as you wait for Lunch . In the afternoon , you will go for the launch cruise along the Kazinga channel . The 40 Km long channel  links lake George to Lake Edward  and  offers  park’s  prime wildlife scene.  The shorelines of this canal lure large numbers of birds, mammals and reptiles all year around .   Some of the fauna that you will not miss along this cruise are  Hippos, Crocodile, and so many water birds like; Storks, Pelicans; Herons, Kingfishers ,  Elephants and antelopes comes here to drink water some time. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your  budget.

Day five:  Optional Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge – then Head to Kampala

Take breakfast and then leave for Kampala .    You can opt to take a chimpanzee trekking tour in the Kyambura gorge. The Kyambura gorge is found in the Kyambura wildlife reserve and it protects the southern  banks of the Kazinga channel and it harbours 4 lakes in which thousands of flamingoes occasionally congregate. Habituated chimpanzees live in the 100 m deep gorge carved by the Kyambura River as it flows across the rift valley  floor towards the Kazinga channel .  After  the chimpanzee trek , you will then proceed to Kampala – Lunch en route -  then if your flight is on this same day then you will be driven to the airport for your next flight back home – say bye to the pearl of Africa  after your   Africa Safari – in Uganda – gifted by Nature .

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4DAYS SAFARI TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK AND BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK.

4DAYS   SAFARI TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK AND BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK.

DAY 1 Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari

Early in the morning, have breakfast then drive towards the west from Kampala. Then proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park following the amazing Rwenzori Mountain range. Go for an afternoon launch cruise along the Kazinga channel. See the highest concentration of hippos, crocodiles surrounded by migrant and resident birds (over 550 species) and other animals drinking and resting at water edges.

Dinner and over night at;

Luxury accommodation at Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge or Katara Lodge

Mid range accommodation:  Hippo Hill Camp or Ihamba Lodge

Budget accommodation:  Simba Safari camp or Mweya hostel

Day 2  From Queen Elizabeth Np to  Bwindi Np

Go for an early morning game drive after breakfast along Kasenyi track and Queen’s mile in the park. expect to see warthogs, Topi, Elephants, Kobs, leopards, hyena, cape buffaloes, Waterbucks, not forgetting the lions and the lots of small animals and birds. After the game drive, drive to Bwindi via Maramagambo and Ishasha sector. This gives you an opportunity to view animals such as, antelopes, buffalo, and waterbucks, the elephant, and Kobs. Then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable forest Np. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Reserve was gazetted in 1942, promoted  to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 1992 and documented as a World Heritage Site in 1994. In the local Lukiga language, Bwindi in point of fact means ‘Impenetrable.’ This double warning is suitable, for Bwindi is all but tightly packed; 327km2 of matted vegetation swathed over a profoundly creviced landscape of steep, slippery valleys and high, draughty ridges. But if the terrain is far from easy to settle, it is well worth the effort. A wander through this, one of Africa’s most prehistoric rainforests, in search for the endangered mountain gorilla ranks among the world’s premier wildlife encounters! Bwindi can be wintry more than ever in the morning and at night. The yearly mean temperature range is 7°C – 20°C with the coldest time being June and July. Warm clothing is required, plus wet weather gear since it gets up to 2390mm of rain/ year.

This is rigorous during two wet seasons, short rains in March-May and heavy rains in September-November. Instead of short tropical overflows, rain in Bwindi often falls as long hours of soft drizzle.

. Dinner and overnight at

Budget accommodation – Buhoma Community Bandas or Bwindi view Bandas or Virunga Hotel in Kisoro

Mid range accommodation – Lake Kitandara camp /Engagi lodge/ Travelers’ rest hotel in Kisoro

Standard accommodation – Buhoma Lodge / Silver back lodge / Gorilla Resort Camp/ Nkuringo camp site cabins in Kisoro / Gorilla Safari Lodge/ Wag Tail Eco Lodge

Luxury accommodation – Gorilla Forest camp or Clouds lodge in Kisoro

Day 3 BWINDI GORILLA SAFARI

Early in the morning, enter into the gorilla environment. The rainforest is wonderful as it offers a thrilling, heavily forested and dense landscape crossed by plenty of animal trails, allowing access for tourists.  Other animals found in the park include the bushbucks, endangered elephants, buffalo, leopards, the rare golden monkey, giant forest hogs, black-fronted duikers, as well as other animals. The park is best known for the wonderful gorillas, and the time and environment taken varies according to the movements of these awesome primates. Observing and spending time with these gentle apes is an exciting adventure that leaves you with everlasting memories of a justly sole experience. They are peaceful and shy animals to watch and photograph as they interact. Dinner and overnight at the accommodation of your budget.

Day 4:  Bwindi NP to Kampala

After breakfast transfer to Kampala via Mbarara and have traditional dishes for lunch. Arrive in Kampala before evening.

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BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK

Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in the south western part of Uganda, it is 331 square kilometers and the altitude ranges from 1160metres-2,607 metres.It is a true rain forest at the junction of the plain and mountain forests, spreading across valleys and over a range steep ridges therefore forming Albertine Rift Valley eastern edge.
The park is one of the most biologically rich forests in Africa, due largely to its altitude which ranges from between 1,160 and 2,607m above sea level and its antiquity. With an average rainfall of 1,500mm, it’s a vital water catchment area, making it a source of five big rivers, flowing into Lake Albert.

The main attractions include, gorilla tracking, bird watching and species diversity

3 DAYS TRIP TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK.

Day 1 Kampala – Bwindi Gorilla Sanctuary
Wake up early morning and start the journey with your safari guide to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the south-West of Kampala Stop-over at the Equator for photographic opportunity as well as an enjoyable and informative talk. Have Lunch in Mbarara, and continue through the Kigezi Highlands, the scenic drive through banana plantations, will provide views of the great Virunga volcanoes of Rwanda and the Congo as well as heads of Ankole cattle take you to the biggest Home of mountain gorillas which is the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

If the gorilla permits are for trekking gorillas in the southern part of Bwindi which comprises of Nkuringo and Nshongi family, we will drive through central Uganda, take a stop over  in Kabale for lunch, proceed to the last stretch through a picturesque countryside also distinct as the “Switzerland of Africa! : lakes,  hills , mountains, with cultivated terraces, tropical rainforest and bamboo forest will be seen along the way. On the last hill, the landscape opens out underneath us, taking in the vast planes between Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, with the Virunga volcanoes dominating the view. Down the valley is Kisoro, where you will stay.

Dinner and over night at ;

Budget accommodation – Buhoma Community Bandas or Bwindi view Bandas or Virunga Hotel in Kisoro

Mid range accommodation – Lake Kitandara camp /Engagi lodge/ Travelers’ rest hotel in Kisoro

Standard accommodation – Buhoma Lodge / Silver back lodge / Gorilla Resort Camp/ Nkuringo camp site cabins in Kisoro / Gorilla Safari Lodge.

Luxury accommodation – Gorilla Forest camp or Clouds lodge in Kisoro

Day 2 Gorilla Tracking in the Gorilla Sanctuary
Wake up Early morning to the sounds of the rain forest for a hearty breakfast. After a short briefing by the guides, proceed through the thick creepers and undergrowth of the dense rain forest to track the endangered mammals. The steeply forested landscape is incredibly dense with numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. Have an amazing experience watching and photographing the gorillas in the forest, listening to them marvel and grumble to each other. It is an extraordinary feeling being with these beautiful creatures left, which is allowed for only 1 hour!.  Dinner and over night at the lodge of your budget.

Day 3 Return Trip to Kampala


After breakfast, we will return back to Kampala stopping en-route for lunch arriving in the early evening.

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GORILLA PERMITS FOR BWINDI NKURINGO FAMILY

The Director of The  Uganda Safari Company ( TUSC) , Ms Pamela Kertland Wright, has defended her company’s full monopoly over the  Nkuringo gorilla sites in western Uganda, saying it was part of the clause for their $2 million (about Shs4 billion) investment. Ms Kertland told the query team set up by the Minister of Trade, Tourism and Industry, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, last week that Uganda Wildlife Authority.  The Nkuringo community in Kisoro District, among others, entered a deal that allowed The Uganda Safari company ( TUSC)- – to have rights over the six  gorilla permits  of the 8 gorilla permits that are issued per day for the Nkuringo family of gorillas in Kisoro.

She said that  TUSC  signed an agreement  between UWA( Uganda wildlife Authority )  and the community and that is what was to invest otherwise it would have been foolish to invest without guarantee. She told the committee that the accusation of monopoly should not arise because there are now more  operational gorilla families opened to tourists , adding that their massive investment is no ordinary feat, considering that they are in areas that lack even basic necessities like power and water.

In a separate interview, she said she will seek legal redress if the six permits are taken away from them and subjected to competition, arguing that they got the permits in a legal and transparent process.

The Uganda Safari company  will have priority over the six  Gorilla Permits for Nkuringo family  for 15 years. Ms Kertland said in the last two years, the affected communities have been given $60,000 as part of her company’s contribution to them.

She added that  health centres are being erected and more money is being channeled back to the community more than ever before. After months of investigations, following complaints by some local tour operators, acting Inspector General of Government Raphael Baku on April 28, wrote to State  inister for Tourism Serapio Rukundo ordering the cancellation of the lucrative gorilla-tracking permits  deal on the fringes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Mr Baku said Mr James Bakeine, a tour operator, complained to his office of “discrimination, irregularities and illegalities” in the management and issuance of gorilla-tracking permits by UWA to just a few companies, resulting in monopoly.

Bwindi National park has  6 habituated gorilla families that are tracked by tourists . Four of them are the  Buhoma Vicinity while two are in the southern part of Bwindi known as  Mkuringo and Nshongi  families of Bwindi Gorillas. Buhoma is 10 kilo metres from Bwindi’s Second gorilla trekking location at Nkuringo which is on the southern edge  of the forest however the distance  covered by  the Bwindi Gorilla Trekking forest and the lovely walk between the two sites takes at least four -10 hours because you encounter the gorillas.  The Nkuringo tailhead lies on the isolated Nteko Ridge which enjoys magnificent views across Bwindi Forest for the North and Virunga Volcanoes for the south .  The four families in Buhoma include, Mubare(M) group , Habinyanja group(H) , Rushegura Group ( R) and Bitukura group ( B) which is in Ruhija.  Bwindi Gorilla National park not only supports gorillas but also a tremendous biodiversity of flora and fauna . It is a prime destination for bird lovers . When most of Africa’s rain forests disappeared during  the arid conditions of the ice age, Bwindi  is one of the few refugia that survived.  The flora and fauna in this tropical rain forest include; 310 speacies of butterflies, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths, and unique 120 types of mammals that also include 10 primates species.  The Uganda primates species in this park include; Chimpanzees, L’ Hoest Monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys , retailed and blue monkeys , baboons  and the legendary endangered  mountain gorillas.

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Uganda’s OLDEST CHIMP AT UWE GETS 44 Years

The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (Uwec) Entebbe today will host well-wishers to a birthday party not of any any political or bureaucratic motives, but for Zakayo, the oldest chimpanzee at Uwec who has turned 44 years.
Zakayo the alpha male is one of our flagship animals at the centre. UWEC is that the the birthday will be celebrated with a couple of tour activities. Zakayo is said to be a favourite to visitors at the Centre and yet a historical member of the centre whom we think deserves a celebrated birthday with the public notice.

School children are lined up today ate UWEC to witness the birthday celebration, participate in a quiz competition and question-answer session and many other activities , organised by the zoo authorities on the occasion in a bid to spread the conservation message.

Zakayo is said to have been born in June 1972 at Semiliki in Bundibugyo and was hand-raised. The chimpanzee was later surrendered to the Entebbe Zoo on June 10, 1976. The chimp is said to be very fatherly.

According to Uwec, “Zakayo has sired eight offsprings and is very protective towards the younger chimps. He is always the last to go out in the mornings and the last to get inside in the evenings.” He is said to be so humane.

Uwec appealed to the public to continue supporting the centre given the fact that

Tourism was declared Uganda’s second largest income earner last year and foreign Exchange earner.

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