Beyond wildlife... a community experience!!

July - December 2011

Letter from the Inside this issue Letter from the Executive Executive Director Director Named the Top Tourist It is my great pleasure to welcome you in-directly linked to the tourism industry, Destination for 2012 all to the inaugural issue of the bi-annual conservation agencies, government VSPT - Kyambura Gorge Women’s Coffee Cooperative Pearls of Uganda Post. Uganda Community agencies, local and international tour Project Tourism Association (UCOTA) produced operators, media houses, training Let us Embrace our Pearl this newsletter with support from institutions, embassies, supermarkets, USAID-Sustainable Tourism in the community tourism enterprises and UCOTA CTE Awards 2011 UCOTA Annual General Meeting Albertine Rift (STAR), in partnership more. It can also be found on the UCOTA 2011 with Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), website (www.ucota.or.ug), the Pearls of Funding Opportunities Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Uganda website (www.pearlsofuganda. Tourism Needs to Adopt the Association of Uganda Tour Operators org) and the USAID-STAR website Social Media Tools (AUTO). (www.star-uganda.org). Public Private Tourism Partnerships bring Turkish Travel In this publication, sustainable tourism Sustainable tourism is tourism attempting Channel to Uganda articles are solicited from all stakeholders to make a low negative impact on the Operationalising the 2008 for publishing in order to embrace environment and local culture, while Uganda Tourism Act economic development through tourism helping to generate employment for local $1 For the Future Campaign in our nation. The Post also allows for people. The aim of sustainable tourism space for advertisements therefore is to ensure that development brings a travel, rapid technology advances and integrating all sectors. The Pearls of positive experience for local people, the ever-growing demand to give back Uganda Post encompasses all Pearls and tourism companies and the tourists to tourism attractions custodians and their private sector supporters; it also themselves. the communities. Vehicles for sustainable highlights resource opportunities for all tourism are many including, the traditional levels and provides general information Sustainable tourism is an important wildlife and nature tourism, voluntourism, on the tourism industry. goal for both the tourism sector and agritourism, meditourism, ecotourism, the nation as a whole. In the past few geotourism, community experiences, to The Post is distributed free in hard copies years, sustainable tourism has become mention but a few. There is almost no to over 2,000 institutions, which include increasingly prevalent worldwide, riding limit but man’s creativity. private sector entities both directly and on the back of the increasing need to All these attractions require customers and genuine operators for sustainable tourism to be achieved. How does one explain a prominent tour company that does not support community EHQHÀW" +RZ HOVH GRHV RQH H[SODLQ D professional tour guide who under pays the community and again demands for D WLS" $OO WRXULVP VWDNHKROGHUV WKRVH mentioned above, guides, hotels, training institutions seem to be struggling to lay strategies for the proper implementation of sustainable tourism. The answer is searching for and sharing best practices.

Helen Lubowa Executive Director, Uganda Community Tourism Association Uganda Named the Top Tourist Destination for 2012 Lonely Planet named Uganda the top half of the world’s remaining population country destination in the world for of mountain gorillas lives here – at Bwindi 2012 in late October, in anticipation of Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla UGANDA NAMED #1 the upcoming holiday travel season. National Parks, visitors can experience BEST IN TRAVEL 2012 this remarkable wildlife encounter. BY: Countries were ranked in order, “voted for by a panel of in-house travel experts, Of course, as Lonely Planet notes, Uganda based on topicality, excitement, value and is also the source of the River Nile, that special X-factor.” Countries following where “savannah meets the vast lakes Uganda on the list are: Myanmar (Burma), of East Africa, and where snow-capped Ukraine, Jordan, Denmark, Bhutan, Cuba, mountains bear down on sprawling New Caledonia, Taiwan and Switzerland. jungles… It’s great for outdoors, fantastic The announcement was graced with a for wildlife [and] the people are very picture of mountain gorillas in the wild friendly. It makes for a good introduction See rare tree-climbing lions found in only one other place in Africa and stated that, “Reviewers say that to the continent. Obviously everybody Explore Uganda’s charm lies in its impressive going there, as with anywhere, should Uganda’s National Parks www.UgandaWildlife.org variety of wildlife species and stunning consider safety, but it is somewhere that www.visituganda.com scenery.” has a lot to offer.” www.birding-uganda.com

In addition to boasting Africa’s largest Asked why the publication chose Uganda variety of bird species, Uganda is also as its top destination for next year, renowned for its primate species Lonely Planet Editor Tom Hall said, “It’s including the endangered mountain quite simple with Uganda – we think that Home to the highest number of primates species on earth gorilla, which has become one of it’s somewhere that has so much that you Photo credits: Mustafa, Mustafa, Photo credits: 8JDQGD·VÀQHVWWRXULVWDWWUDFWLRQV2YHU can go to see in Africa in a small package.” Film GreatLakes iStock, Charles Steinberg, ...... VSPT- Kyambura Women’s Group Coffee Cooperative Project 7KH 9ROFDQRHV 6DIDULV 3DUWQHUVKLS 7UXVW LV D QRQSURÀW near their homes and gives them the tools to produce a higher SXEOLF EHQHÀW RUJDQL]DWLRQ WKDW XQGHUWDNHV FRPPXQLW\ DQG quality product for the market. conservation activities in Uganda and Rwanda. It seeks to support projects that improve rural livelihoods, wildlife conservation Fifteen local women and their families are actively involved in and enhance rural development through responsible eco- the cooperative. They tend to over 1000 Arabica and Robusta tourism. In 2010, the Trust established the Kyambura Eco- coffee plants dispersed throughout 100 acres of rejuvenated tourism Partnership Project. Managed by Nicole Simmons, Trust land, and process the coffee by hand at the communal a former researcher of the Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee processing plant at the Trust’s Community and Conservation community and now the project coordinator for the Trust, the Center. The processing station provides a unique cultural project has developed a series of initiatives based on available experience in the area for visiting tourists that is both resources in the area, sustainability and the immediate needs of participatory and educational. Tourists are encouraged to visit the Kyambura community. the site, meet the women and help wash, peel, roast and grind coffee. The Kyambura Women’s Coffee Cooperative has proved to be one Women in the cooperative commit to growing the of the most successful initiatives coffee organically, without the use of pesticides or under the Partnership Project. chemical fertilizers. The coffee is purchased by the A community based project Trust at a price which is on average 40% more designed to enrich the livelihoods than market value, packaged in recycled water of neighboring families, the bottles and sold to Volcanoes Safaris Lodges, thus initiative has revived traditional facilitating the upkeep and maintenance of the coffee processing long since processing station. Labeled as Volcanoes Safaris abandoned in the area, and offers Partnership Trust Omwani Coffee, it is a rich, well- women vocational training and an alternative source of income. balanced blend of Uganda’s indigenous Robusta beans, blended Coffee is one of the predominant cash crops in Kyambura; with high quality Arabica beans. All proceeds from the coffee however, with the collapse of the local coffee processing plant sales are put back into the coffee cooperative and processing in 1991 (the original building is now the Volcanoes Kyambura station, as well as other initiatives developed by the Kyambura Gorge Lodge) local growers had to move their unprocessed Eco-Tourism Partnership Project. FRIIHHWRRWKHUDUHDVIRUDIUDFWLRQRIWKHLUSUHYLRXVSURÀW7KH Alexandra Edwards cooperative allows women to farm, harvest and process coffee Operations Manager, Volcanoes Safaris Uganda

2 Pearls of Uganda Post July - December 2011 ......

Let us Embrace our UCOTA CTE Pearl Awards 2011 On September 16, 2011, UCOTA awarded community I am very excited about developments for this country this year, tourism enterprise members who had shown and very proud to be Ugandan. I will always be grateful to God improvement in both business and sustainability practices, for allowing me to be born in this beautiful country. Uganda’s which included service standards, response to feedback, future in terms of tourism in the coming years is very bright, if marketing, relationships with private sector and other VWDNHKROGHUV WLPHO\ VXEPLVVLRQ RI IRUPV DQG HIÀFLHQW the public and private sector can come together and harness record keeping, community involvement and information the potential in practical ways. sharing, waste management systems, sustainable natural resource use, community sensitization on conservation, In my opinion, the most unfortunate thing about Uganda is the community development projects supported, providing a education system that requires students to learn everything market for community produced goods as well as labour, including European history, American geography, mathematics and involvement of women and youths. and general African history, while only skimming the surface The awards were given at the Annual Sustainable Tourism about Uganda. From my perspective, learning about all aspects Media Awards event organized to recognize excellence of Uganda in depth should be the most important part of our among journalists who cover sustainable tourism and education. conservation issues. The winner for the category Best CTE Overall was Kibale Association for Rural Development (KAFRED). Ruboni Community Camp won in the other category for Most Improved CTE, while Boomu Women’s Group was recognized as runner up in this category.

These awards will be given annually; we encourage UCOTA members to work towards improving areas of Recently, Lonely Planet, the world’s authoritative ‘travel bible,’ service delivery, supporting community concluded its list of the top ten destinations for 2012 with and conservation Uganda ranking number 1. In the middle of this year, National development, Geographic Adventure released a list of the top 15 best hikes ...... developing partnerships with other conservation and places on earth with only one in Africa: the Rwenzori Mountains. development initiatives and any other best practices to gain distinction in the future! As we prepare to celebrate 50 years of independence next ...... year, we should all note that the year 2011 brought good things for Uganda, even when it is very clear that most Ugandans are simply not aware of the importance of the natural beauty that surrounds us.

Tourism is now the fastest growing industry on earth; therefore, Uganda must take a number of steps to make a noticeable impression, like every country is trying to do. First of all, Uganda must carry out a destination perception benchmarking study. Secondly, Uganda must develop the distribution network in the source markets (Europe or America). The third step is the creation of online marketing to make Uganda’s tourism easily discoverable. We should then focus on partnership marketing to LGHQWLI\FRUSRUDWHSDUWQHUVDQGUDLVHWKHSURÀOHRI8JDQGDDVD OHDGHUDQGULVLQJIRUFHLQ$IULFD7KHÀIWKDQGÀQDOVWHSLVHQJDJLQJ in public and media relations where Uganda is positioned as a fascinating destination for wildlife, adventure and community tourism.

If Uganda follows the above recommendations, of course done WKURXJK H[SHULHQFHG DQG VSHFLDOL]HG ÀUPV VD\ LQ WKH 86 OLNH our neighbors Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda are doing, we can overtake our neighbors within 7 years and Uganda can top Africa by 2062. Amos Wekesa Chairman, Uganda Tourism Association & Managing Director, Great Lakes Safaris

July - December 2011 Pearls of Uganda Post 3 UCOTA Successfully Organizes 2011 Annual General Meeting UCOTA organized its Annual General Chairperson: Mr. Aprunale Bitamazire, Rwenzori Turaco Meeting at Shine Hotel, in , Mr. Patrick Tumwijukye, Lake Bunyonyi View Campsite this past summer. Members Women Development Group Ex²RIÀFLDOV present took part in planning for UCOTA, Vice Chairperson: Mr. Tinka John, KAFRED networking and exchanging knowledge Ms. Kajumba Stella, Bigodi Women’s Group Mr. Sheba Hanyurwa, Mgahinga with key tourism players, and elected a Community Development Organisation new board of directors. General Secretary Ms. Helen Lubowa , Executive Director, (MCDO) The new board was elected under the UCOTA chairmanship of Mr. Patrick Tumwijukye Treasurer from Bunyonyi Women Development Mr. Azoli Bahati, Abanya Rwenzori Group to replace the past board under mountaineering association (AMA) the chairmanship of Mr. Tinka John Board members of Kibale Association for Rural and Ms. Naome Gidudu, Bugemunye Women’s Environmental Development (KAFRED). Group Incumbent board members of UCOTA Mr. Robert Gimunye, Mount Wagagai include: Hotel ...... Funding Opportunities 1. 2012 United States Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural education, and are innovative and viable. Deadline for entries is Preservation (AFCP)- The American Embassy is now accepting 31 May 2012. For more information visit www.skal.org proposals for the 2012 Ambassador’s Fund. Successful proposals identify one-time or recurring projects that assist the people of 4. National Geographic and the Genographic Legacy Fund Uganda in preserving their cultural heritage. Grants typically is awarding grants for community-driven projects directly range from US$10,000-$50,000. All completed proposals must preserving or revitalizing indigenous or traditional culture. be received by the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, Uganda no later Deadline for submission is June 15, 2012 at midnight EST. than December 10, 2011 for consideration under the 2012 Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation competition. $IULFDQ'LDVSRUD:RUOG7RXULVP$ZDUGV $'7 6LJQLÀFDQW FRQWULEXWLRQV LQ WKH ÀHOGV RI FXOWXUH DQG KHULWDJH WRXULVP 2. Private Sector Foundation Uganda is calling for entries Deadline in fall of 2012. For more information, follow this link- from community groups operating at a village, sub-county, www.africandiasporatourism.com. district and national level who might qualify for the Private Sector Development Awards 2011. Deadline for submission is For more awards and grants, please visit ...... December 16, 2011, 5:00 pm. www.terravivagrants.org/Home/monthly-update

3. Skal’s Sustainable Development in Tourism Awards celebrates Contact UCOTA for more information about these tourism entities that contribute to the conservation of grants and awards at [email protected] and QDWXUHFXOWXUDOKHULWDJHFRPPXQLW\LQYROYHPHQWDQGEHQHÀWV [email protected] ...... Tourism Needs to Adopt Social Media Tools In the move to boost Uganda’s tourism embrace the Internet in new and diverse Instead of that awful post, why not a sector, the industry must embrace social ways, this is an obvious medium we need beautiful picture of mother chimpanzee networking sites such as Facebook, to fully utilize in order to convey the DQGKHUEDELHV",WZRXOGKDYHPDUNHWHG Twitter and Flickr to diversify its global depth and breadth of Uganda’s tourism the over 1,420 chimp population in tourism campaigns. experiences. Moving and still images, as Uganda already. For instance, if only ten well as words explaining what a trip to gorillas had Facebook accounts – one Speaking at the UCOTA annual general Uganda might entail, and giving others cannot imagine the number of friends meeting, Mr. Amos Wekesa stressed that the opportunity to tell their stories Mother Gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable Uganda has so far exploited less than can effectively reach a large population. National Park would attract and the 20% of its tourism potential compared to The tourism industry needs to harness number of tourists who would yearn the rest of East Africa. Despite its being the word-of-mouth inherent in social to visit her! Look at the success of the “Pearl of Africa” and gifted by nature, networking sites in its online media the “Friend a Gorilla” campaign – it Uganda’s market for tourism is at stake. advertising. has thousands of followers. Marketing To outdo its competitors, Uganda needs options on social networking sites are to adopt a “strong digital (advertising) Everyone looks at Facebook and Twitter endless when you give it a try. strategy,” he said. to be trends, interestingly. Let’s use this opportunity to tell the world about Hilda N.Kabenge As more of the world continues to Uganda as a way of supporting tourism. Volunteer, UCOTA

4 Pearls of Uganda Post July - December 2011 Public Private Tourism Partnerships Bring Turkish Travel Channel to Uganda On November 10th, 2011, a 3-person between USAID-Sustainable Tourism in national parks. ÀOPFUHZDUULYHGWR8JDQGDIURP7XUNH\ the Albertine Rift (STAR) and Turkish to shoot a 4-episode series on tourism Airlines, who proposed the idea. USAID- The tremendous contributions for the in Uganda. The award winning KanalTurk STAR then reached out to its Pearls of trip from UWA and private partners travel show, which was recognized as Uganda Supporters (private tourism are estimated to be valued well beyond the top documentary television show businesses) to solicit tour operator $40,000 all of it in-kind, including in Turkey this year, produced this series, services, food and lodging. The greatest international air travel and the 15- which will have an estimated 15 million private sector supporter for this trip day tour. Valuations are still pending YLHZHUV HDFK VKRZLQJ 7KH ÀOP FUHZ was Matoke Tours, who provided a safari for the hours and hours of prime-time traveled around the Albertine Rift and to vehicle, their best driver guidem and has Turkish television to promote Uganda, Jinja, to capture the highlights of Uganda’s been very helpful in arranging the whole but the resulting of positive impacts for tourism attractions in efforts to market trip including mobilizing many lodging Uganda tourism and other industries will the country to Turkey. providers to show the TV crew “the real certainly be priceless. Uganda.” The same television show created a similar 7KHWHOHYLVLRQFUHZÀOPHGW\SLFDOWRXULVP production for Tanzania, which resulted With the generous offers from Pearls of experiences such as wildlife safaris, but LQ D KXJH LQÁX[ RI WRXULVP ERRNLQJV Uganda Supporters, (www.pearlsofuganda. also visited many community and cultural from Turkey, a Turkish investment group org) the television crew was able to put tourism experiences including agro- sending a 45-person delegation to together a 15-day trip that included tourism and Salt Lake to promote Tanzania to increase partnerships as well visits to Jinja, Murchison Falls, Queen Pearls of Uganda. UWA staff in Queen as video footage that the country utilized Elizabeth, Kibale, Bwindi and Lake Mburo. Elizabeth National Park were interviewed this year at WTM. &RPSOLPHQWDU\ORGJLQJIRUWKHÀOPFUHZ for coverage of conservation issues was provided by Serena Hotels, Wild and initiatives. This coverage will help %ULQJLQJWKH7XUNLVKÀOPFUHZWR8JDQGD Waters, Geolodges, Kyaninga Lodge, Bush to promote the powers of sustainable was a result of an initial partnership Camps, Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Mihingo tourism in conserving biodiversity. This Lodge, Lagoon Resort, Speke type of collaboration is a wonderful sign Resort and more. that the Uganda tourism sector coming together to promote Uganda around the Uganda Wildlife Authority world, even in less traditional markets offered free park entry, like Turkey. chimp and gorilla tracking. 8:$ ZLOO EHQHÀW E\ Ashley Silver receiving all the footage free Tourism Specialist, from the trip as well as lots USAID-STAR of marketing for Uganda’s ......

Matoke Tours wants to ensure that generations of people can continue to enjoy the natural beauty of the ‘Pearl of Africa’, we feel that it is our responsibility to do as much as we can to preserve this fascinating country. “Sustainable Tourism” isn’t just a term to us; we see it as the main ingredient for running a successful operation in Uganda: The place we have made our home! www.matoketours.com

July - December 2011 Pearls of Uganda Post 5 Operationalising the 2008 Uganda Tourism Act The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and identity document for a registered or Heritage (MTWH), in partnership with licensed tourist guide, responsibilities the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional and duties of a tourist guide, facilities $IIDLUV DUH LQ WKH ÀQDO VWDJHV RI to tourist guides, maximum number completing some long-awaited tourism of persons to be guided, duration of regulations. The process is aimed at organized excursion, cancellation of operationalising the Uganda Tourism Act, HQJDJHPHQWDQG ÀQHV DQG SHQDOWLHV IRU 2008. The regulations are expected to be tourist guides. in place by March 2012. 4. Hotel standards guidelines: describes registration and licensing of tourist These regulations/guidelines provide for accommodations, categories of categorization of tourist accommodation, measures to regulate Uganda’s tourism accommodation which include hotel, accommodation agreement, substitute industry and to protect the interests of lodge, guest house, farm house or motel, accommodation, and extension of its customers. Some provisions include: hostel, cottage or villa, bed and breakfast accommodation period. 1. Tour licensing regulations: describes and self serviced apartment, caravan and who is a tour operator and travel agent, camping park and safari or tented camp, The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is who is licensed, why they are licensed, GLVSOD\ RI FHUWLÀFDWH RI UHJLVWUDWLRQ mandated by the Act to enforce these how to apply for a license, duration of suspension or cancellation of license new regulations. Given its size, UTB will the license, bond requirements, types of &ODVVLÀFations regulations: describes the play an overseeing role while relevant bonds and penalties of trading without a FODVVLÀFDWLRQSURFHVVRIDFFRPPRGDWLRQ government institutions will be trained license. facilities and restaurants and standards to enforce these regulations country- 2. Tour package regulations: describes DQG JXLGHOLQHV IRU WKH FODVVLÀFDWLRQ RI wide. Tourism stakeholders are working advertising regulations, essential terms accommodation facilities and restaurants, with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and of contract, forms of contract, transfers star rating features, minimum standards, Heritage and Uganda Tourism Board to of bookings, price revisions, health VHFXULW\DQGÀUHÀJKWLQJHTXLSPHQW ensure that these tourism regulations requirements of tour packages etc. 6. Hotel accommodation regulations: are favourable. UCOTA is planning 3. Tour guide guidelines: describes register describes items necessary to be to sensitize its members about these RI SHUVRQV TXDOLÀHG DV WRXULVW JXLGHV registered as a hotel regulations as they are opertationlized in licensing of tourist guides for special 7. Tourist accommodation and March 2012. designated locations, validity of license, meal establishments: describes ...... $1 For the Future Campaign!

Mweya Safari Lodge of Marasa Africa teach students about the importance of launched this travel philanthropy program conservation and sustainable tourism. to support schools and conservation education on October 10, 2011 with the The “$1 For the Future” campaign support of USAID’s Sustainable Tourism demonstrates how Marasa Africa is in the Albertine Rift Program (USAID- fostering sustainable tourism and STAR), and the Uganda Community improving tourism practices in East Tourism Association’s (UCOTA) Pearls of Africa to support conservation and Uganda Program. communities. These efforts highlight how tourism can directly support conservation 1RYHPEHU PDUNV WKH ÀUVW PRQWK RI and community development, improving Mweya’s efforts in which it raised over livelihoods and decreasing human wildlife 1.6 million shillings. Mweya’s new FRQÁLFW travel philanthropy program raises money with the help of their guests to help communities surrounding Queen Ashley Silver Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. The Tourism Specialist, program, “$1 For the Future,” will help USAID-STAR with the renovation and construction of one school in its pilot year and will conclude with conservation murals and a visit from the Wildlife Clubs of Uganda to

6 Pearls of Uganda Post July - December 2011 ...... General Secretary, UBGC/USAGA Johnnie Kamugisha Kazinga Channel. moment, there are about3to5ofthesebirds onthe in October1991RusiziNational Park, Burundi. At the vagrant here. A singlebird wasrecorded inEast Africa which meansthatitisa Central African bird Park. Itisa West- Elizabeth National Kazinga Channel, Queen at 15:05hoursonthe November 10th2011 been recorded this the grey pratincolehas A new bird species, Uganda New Bird Record for due tohabitatlossandpoachingfor meat, hidesandtails. only several hundred membersleftinprotected areas ‡ each ear. heads, andsmalleronesontheforehead andbehind WKHÀYHKRUQVRQWKHLUKHDGV²WZRRQWKHWRSVRIWKHLU giraffes by thelackofmarkingsbelow theirknees, and ‡ Murchison FallsandKidepo Valley National Parks. Baringo orUgandangiraffes, whichcanbefound at ‡ traditional calvinggrounds. after whichacalfweighing about 100kgisdropped in ‡ might snap atagiraffe bendingdown togetwater lion pridesspecializeinhuntinggiraffes, andcrocodiles ‡ when infullgallop. motion, they canreach speedsofupto60kmperhour ‡ establishes dominance. each otherover females by “necking,” aritualthatalso ‡ with asmany as40individuals. ‡ a day. ‡ favourite foods. ample acaciatrees –oneoftheir in savannahs andwhere there are ‡ weighing asmuch as400kg. males standingupto6mtalland the world’s tallestmammal, with ‡ Giraffe Animal Fact: Rothschild’s giraffes are endangered particularly with Rothschild’s giraffes are distinguishablefrom other UgandahasRothschild’s giraffes, alsoknown as A giraffes’ gestationperiodisfor about450days, Despitetheirsize, giraffes dohave predators. Some Although giraffes appear asifthey are moving inslow $GXOWEXOOVVSHQGPXFKWLPHDORQHDQGÀJKWZLWK Giraffes generally live ingroups calledherds ortowers Giraffes are ruminantsandcaneatover 60kgoffood Giraffes reside predominantly The ever-photogenic giraffe is

...... called be to millet with mixed sometimes is Cassava in Ankole. crop.cattle the of equivalent their as goats graze also They The Bakonzo cultivate cassava for food and coffee as a cash lineage andculture totheBakonzo. in closest the are district,peoples Bundibugyo Baamba the neighboring in found Mostly Baamba. the with share they which Rwenzoris, the of climate and slopes steep the to adapted is culture BakonzoSociety, the Research History /LIH %DNRQ]R WKH to IURP %DNRQ]R According RI mountains. GHVFULSWLRQ RIÀFLDO the DQ on up live gods ancestral their believetheythat because RwenzoriMountains the of conservation the in essential highly are They generations. Moon), the where they have been 5ZHQ]RUL for many of (Mountains PDJQLÀFHQW of slopes WKH live mountain the who on people Bantu- a speaking are Bakonzo The Bakonzo Culture Community Fact: on councilsofelders. governmentbased of forms maintain Baamba Bakonzoand Historically, the scarcity. millet to due millet without it kalo in other neighboring tribes, but the Bakonzo take July - December 2011 Pearls ofUganda Post

7 UCOTA membership requirements UCOTA Upcoming Activities 1. Be community tourism based Date Activity  %HQHÀWWKHVXUURXQGLQJFRPPXQLW\DQGEHHQYLURQPHQWDOO\ January 2012 Quarterly Board Meeting  IULHQGO\  +DYHKLJKWRXULVPPDUNHWSRWHQWLDO 2012 Annual General Meeting  %HUHJLVWHUHGDWOHDVWDWWKHVXEFRXQW\OHYHO 2012 CTE Awards UCOTA Pearls Membership May 2012 Responsible Tourism Criteria The Pearls Basongora Women United Assoc. Unveiled to members and Nyamgasani supporters Rwenzori Mountains National Park Kazinga Community Tourism Group Ruboni Community Camp ** Dates to be communicated -Ishasha sector Abanyarwenzori Mountaineering Assoc...... Ruhija Community Development Assoc. Rwenzori Turaco View Community Camp Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort Camp Tourism Sector Calendar Kibale Association for Rural and Echuya Eco Tourism Assoc. Environmental Development (KAFRED) Kogere Village Guest Farm November 28, 2011- January 28, 2012 Bigodi Women’s Group Kazingo Community Eco Tourism Assoc. Training of Hotel Assessors for Uganda by Rwenzori Conservation Trust Mubako Community Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage Bulemba-Ihandiro Cultural Trail Iwacu Tuzamuke Foundation for Rural December 4, 2011 Development Queen Elizabeth National Park Chimpanzee Children’s Christmas Carnivore Batwa Trail at Sheraton Kampala Hotel Gardens Katwe Tourism Information Centre Alimugonza Communal Forest Land Assoc. House of Love-Africa December 8, 2011 (ACOFLA) Foundation for Youth Development Batwa Trail Fundraising Dinner at Sheraton Kikorongo Women Group Chotembu Ex-Poachers Group Kampala Hotel Queen’s Pavillion Kaniyo Pabidi EcoTourism Guides Assoc. December 9, 2011 (KAPEGA) Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries Award Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Lagaji Community Lodge (Pakwach) Giving Ceremony to Ngamba Island and staff Nyundo Community Eco Trails Mungu Bitimu (Pakwach) December 16-18, 2011 Nkuringo Community Conservation Albert Nile Community Tourism Assoc. Rotary Inaugural Visit to Murchison Falls Development Foundation (NCCDF) (ACOTA) National Park by Project Safari, Buhoma Community Rest Camp Karugutu Community Conservation Assoc. Rotary District 9200 Nkuringo Cultural Centre Rwenzori Mountain Farmers Assoc. December 29, 2011 Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Rwenzori Mountains Development Assoc. Diaspora Event: Homecoming by Ronnie Batwa Community Development (REMODA) Mayanja of Uganda North American Association (UNAA) at the Organisation Kyenzanza Bakyara Tweheyo Community Amajyambere Iwacu Community Camp Group December 27-30, 2011 Rurembwe Crafts Women’s group Launch of Banyakigezi Tourism Cluster at Murchison Falls National Park Whitehorse Inn, Kabale by Competitiveness Gisozi Giterembire Farmers’ Assoc. Green Dwelling Ecotourism Project (and and Investment Climate Strategy (CICS) Bulindi Eco Cafe proposed Snake Park) under the Ministry of Finance Planning and Kyamaleera Wildlife Education Center Boomu Women’s Group Economic Development January 28, 2012 Potential Pearls International Tourist Guides Day by USAGA Naggalabi Cultural Tourism Assoc. February 2012 (NACUTA) Contact: Chimp Challenge at On Course Training Baagalayaze Heritage Site Uganda Community Tourism Association: Ground at Sissa Crow’s Nest Palm Courts Building, Plot 7A Lugogo Bypass. February 2012 Rob’s Rolling Rock P.O Box 27159 Kampala-Uganda. Pearls of Uganda Event Katereke Prisons Ditch Telephone: 256(0)414-501866. April 2012 Nzughuto Environmental Conservation 256(0)772-657700. Cultural Guides Training by USAGA Assoc. (NECA) Email: [email protected]. April 2012 UPENDO Community Website: www.ucota.or.ug. Inter Parliamentary Union International Nyamwamba Community Conservation www.pearlsofuganda.org Conference at Kampala Serena Hotel Assoc. Kilembe May 2012 Advanced Birding Course by USAGA ......

Beyond wildlife... a community experience!!

Photos contributed by: Orhan To advertise in the next issue of the Pearls Subay, UCOTA, USAID-STAR, of Uganda Post: Call or email UCOTA on Volcanoe Safaris, Great Lakes +256(0) 772-657-700, felex@pearlsofuganda. Safaris, Johnnie Kamugisha, org, [email protected] or info@ RayzAfrika and Hayley White. This newsletter was made possible by the generous support of the American pearlsofuganda.org people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) implemented by the United States Forest Service (USFS) through a sub contract with Solimar International under the terms of its Contract To submit upcoming tourism and conservation articles or news items Number AG-3187-C-11-0008. The contents and opinions expressed herein for the next issue of the Pearls of Uganda Post, email: DUHWKHUHVSRQVLELOLW\RI6ROLPDU,QWHUQDWLRQDODQGGRQRWQHFHVVDULO\UHÁHFW felex@pearlsofuganda, [email protected] or info@ the views of the USAID and the USFS. pearlsofuganda.org

8 Pearls of Uganda Post July - December 2011