The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has signed three landmark concession agreements with private investors to develop high-end tourism infrastructure in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Kidepo Valley National Parks. The agreements, signed at a ceremony held at Protea Hotel in Kampala, are expected to inject over USD 28.5 million into Uganda’s tourism sector and enhance the country’s positioning as a premier ecotourism destination.
The signing ceremony was presided over by the Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, who hailed the agreements as a significant step in attracting responsible investment in Uganda’s tourism sector.
“This is a strong signal that Uganda is open and ready for responsible investment in tourism. These projects will improve the quality of our tourism products, generate revenue for conservation, and create meaningful jobs for our people,” Hon. Mugarra remarked.
The Chairman of the UWA Board of Trustees, Professor James Kalema, signed the agreements on behalf of UWA, while the investors Epic Kagoro (Kagobed Holdings Ltd), Patricia Akakunda (Russell Hall Ltd), and Paul Zhang Zhigang (Tian Tang Group)committed to fulfilling all concession requirements and ensuring their projects are operational within two to five years.
New Tourism Projects in Uganda’s National Parks
The three investment initiatives will bring world-class tourism amenities, enhancing infrastructure and visitor experiences in Uganda’s conservation areas:
The Jacana Safari Lodge Redevelopment in Queen Elizabeth National Park will be undertaken by Kagobed Holdings Ltd (affiliated with Serena Hotels) with an investment of USD 7 million, featuring upscale lodgings, facilities for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), a helipad, a fitness center, and other modern conveniences.
The Glass Bridge & Restaurant at Murchison Falls National Park will be developed by the Tian Tang Group with an investment of USD 20 million, featuring a glass bridge and a 50-seat restaurant at the top of the falls, providing a distinctive attraction to boost Uganda’s tourism appeal.
The Luxury Lodge in Kidepo Valley National Park will be established by Russell Hall Ltd in collaboration with TUI Blue, a French hotel brand, with an investment of USD 1.5 million, offering a high-end eco-lodge that ensures international-level hospitality in one of Uganda’s most secluded and untouched wildlife parks.
Balancing Investment with Conservation
UWA emphasized that these investments were rigorously reviewed to align with conservation efforts, ensuring that tourism development does not compromise the ecological integrity of Uganda’s national parks.
“We are excited to work with investors who value not only business growth but also ecological integrity. I urge all concessionaires to ensure that Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are conducted by qualified professionals,” said Prof. Kalema, UWA Board Chairman.
UWA’s Executive Director, Sam Mwandha, echoed this sentiment, assuring that the authority will closely monitor the projects to ensure they contribute to both wildlife protection and the national economy.
“We are deliberate about choosing partners who align with our conservation goals. These investments will be closely monitored to ensure they deliver value to both wildlife protection and Uganda’s tourism sector,” Mwandha stated.
A Milestone for Uganda’s Tourism Growth
The signing of these agreements marks a major milestone in UWA’s long-term strategy to attract high-value investment, improve tourism infrastructure, and elevate Uganda’s status as a top ecotourism destination in Africa.
With sustainable, high-quality developments in key national parks, Uganda is poised to offer enhanced visitor experiences, generate more conservation revenue, and create new jobs in the tourism sector.
