Aviation news update – Air Uganda cuts Mombasa / Zanzibar flights during low season

 

AIR UGANDA’S MOMBASA / ZANZIBAR FLIGHTS TO BE ‘SEASONAL’

Information from Uganda’s quasi national airline indicates that the airline will be exploring new ways to maintain their route from Entebbe to Zanzibar via Mombasa.

Effective 01^st of May there will be NO FLIGHTS until the 30^th June, before resuming again for the period of 01^st July until 30^th August only. There will again be NO FLIGHTS between 01^st September and 30^th November, before once more resuming for the ‘high season’ travel period.

The shift in policy is attributed to the lack of sufficient passenger loads, as the airline a while ago already had reduced from three to two flights per week. It appears that the expatriate passenger potential would not fully take to the route over the need to get Visa to Kenya and Zanzibar, something several expats known to this correspondents with ‘healthy travel appetite’ confirmed. Already duly registered in Uganda, for many it is a constant bone of contention and they are asking to streamline the Visa regime for Eastern Africa and finally recognise registered expatriates in one of the member countries and not asking them to pay for Visa when travelling in the region to visit another member state on holiday.

The airline recently also adopted the new slogan ‘The Wings of East Africa’ and Air Uganda flies daily between Entebbe and Juba, 6 times a week between Entebbe and Dar es Salaam, 3 times daily between Entebbe and Nairobi and in code share with RwandAir twice a day to Kigali, one flight operated each by U7 and RwandAir.

South Sudan news update – Nile waters on agenda of Egypt / South Sudan meeting

INDEPENDENT SOUTH SUDAN TO RESPECT NILE WATER AGREEMENTS

The soon to be independent South Sudan – expected to be on 09^th July this year – has recently met with an Egyptian delegation seeking to establish ties with the Southern leadership. Key issue on the agenda was the River Nile and its waters, with the ‘White Nile’ or Bahr el Jebel flowing through the South’s territory.

It is understood from Juba, that the Egyptian delegation’s interpretation that the new country would respect the agreements, was seen as an endorsement of the 1929 and 1959 treaties the British colonial governments forced upon the newly independent countries of Eastern Africa was not accurate. Only recently did Burundi sign on to the new Nile Basin Initiative’s new treaty framework, and the South Sudan will respect THAT agreement, as the majority of the countries involved in the long negotiations had now affirmed the new treaty as binding. Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia had already signed the treaty ahead of everyone else but with Burundi coming on board, it is only Congo Dr, Egypt and the regime in Khartoum to remain ‘outside’. After the South Sudan becomes independent, the new country too is expected to ratify the ‘new’ treaty’ which is removing the veto powers of Egypt and sets new percentages for the use of the waters of the River Nile. Termed by this correspondents as the ‘water producers’ the East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia Congo are all generating what flows into the Nile via their water towers, rivers and lakes contributing to Lake Victoria and Lake Albert, while the ‘Blue Nile’ makes its way from Ethiopia to Khartoum, joining with the ‘White Nile’ to make ‘The Nile’.

Said a usually reliable source from Juba to this correspondent: ‘we will stand with our brothers and sister in East Africa on this. We will join EAC as soon as we can and we will not pursue a different line from what they have agreed about the Nile waters. What Khartoum then does is their business, but we look South from here on, not North.’

Considering the tourism potential already tapped into in Uganda, where a variety of adventure activities on the River Nile are in place, the South Sudan too has the opportunity to replicate such developments and will be able to ‘sell’ water based tourism activities to the international tourist markets alongside the wildlife national parks and game reserves, their culture and history.

In a related development has the cabinet of the government of South Sudan approved the recommendations of the special commission formed to determine a range of independence related issues, sanctioning the name ‘Republic of South Sudan’, the new national flag derived from the SPLM/A’s own flag, the national anthem and issues related to the new currency, to be named the South Sudan Pound – the latter dashing hopes from parts of East Africa that the new currency would be names the South Sudan Shilling. However, with a common currency for members of the East African Community advancing at a good pace, this will in a few years anyway become a distant memory, when the internal borders of the EAC come down and free movement of people and goods will be matched by ONE currency.

Way to go, upcoming Republic of South Sudan.

Rwanda news update – 17th anniversary of genocide coming up

17^TH GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION IN RWANDA

The ‘land of a thousand hills’ will shortly remember the 1994 genocide, inflicted by murderous gangs of hardline militias and individuals on members of the Tutsi tribe and moderate Hutus seeking peaceful co-existence between the tribes.

The genocide triggered the eventual fall of the hardline government and saw the militias flee to neighbouring Congo, where up to date they continue to pose a serious threat to peace, stability and reconciliation in the region.

A series of events are planned across Rwanda to remember the 800.000+ people slaughtered 17 years ago, and new memorial sites have been completed in the run up to the commemoration.

Rwanda has since risen like the proverbial Phoenix from the ashes of the genocide and the policies of reconciliation and forging a new sense of nationhood went alongside a determined effort to bring those responsible for the massacres to justice. The International Criminal Tribunal on Rwanda in Arusha has been prosecuting cases as was Rwanda at home, and while some accuse the government in Kigali of harsh measures, the effort to prevent historical lies from being told or a return of the radicals from neighbouring Congo must be supported, even if such measures are ‘robust’.

This correspondent joins all his many friends in Rwanda to pay tribute to those fallen heroes of 1994 and everyone else who fell victim to aggression based on tribalism since them.

Tanzania news update – Drop in tourism rankings also due to ‘controversies’

TANZANIA TOURISM RANKING DROP ATTRIBUTED TO HIGHWAY/POACHING CONTROVERSY

Several stakeholders in the tourism sector have, following a consultative meeting of the industry in Dar es Salaam in early March, spoken out on the issue. Some regular sources claimed that some of the reasons were being played down by officials, such as the impact of poaching and the country’s ill fated attempt a year ago to persuade CITES to allow Tanzania to sell ivory stocks. ‘They do not want to own up to such failures and the impact of very big negative publicity. When the black rhino was killed in the Serengeti, then they talk and act but generally our enforcement is very weak. A lot of birds are smuggled via Tanzania, a lot of ivory comes from abroad and is shipped via our port or airport. The media pick on it and when it circulates people abroad think we do not care enough about our wildlife and they judge us poorly’ said one source from Arusha in response to a question by this correspondent. Another regular source in Dar es Salaam pointed to the controversy over the Serengeti highway plans which he termed ‘very bad for our country. This is getting a lot of publicity and has influenced those judging where we rank. Our politicians do not think it is a factor but really it is. There is a combination of things all coming at once and when we meet such issues are down played or not openly addressed because you are then considered ‘anti government’, but really all we are saying is be frank when talking of reasons why we did badly last year. Elections are now over so we should be able to sit down and bring all concerns to the table. It is in everyone’s interest to be candid because unless we solve these problems it will not be good for us’.

Little Rwanda in the global rankings has outfoxed the rest of East Africa and even beaten Kenya by one rank, a testimony for sound governmental policies towards biodiversity, conservation and a deliberate effort to fund tourism marketing to a point where it can make an impact abroad, a lesson maybe still to be learned by other East African Community member states.

Adds his correspondent in closing: Tanzania is richly endowed with natural attractions but all parks need special protective details by rangers and security organs, to make sure protected areas are not encroached and poaching is halted. Some of the protected areas, like the Serengeti and the Selous, are due for major intrusive projects like a highway and a hydro electric dam, and added consultations are needed here to ensure that best practice is employed and ALL alternatives thoroughly examined to avoid lasting damage to these ecosystems and maintain their attraction for visiting tourist, now and in the future.

Pan African Movement supports Gadaffi ?!?

PAN AFRICAN MOVEMENT SULLIED BY ‘PRO GADAFFI DEMONSTRATION’

Earlier in the week did the Kampala based Pan African Movement call for demonstrations in Kampala, denouncing the UN sanctioned ‘No Fly Zone’ over Libya and the intervention by Western countries.

Singing the predictable but misplaced tune of ‘colonialism’ the Pan African Movement lost much of its credibility when throwing its weight behind Gadaffi, who now stands accused of crimes against humanity over butchering his own population with impunity while trying to defend his shrinking fiefdom in and around Tripoli. Much of Libya has already been liberated by Libyan freedom fighters, and the aerial support by coalition air forces, including a large number of planes from Arab countries in the Gulf, has effectively denied Gadaffi the option he freely used before, to bombard his own people by ‘his’ airforce and helicopters.

Here in Kampala police in fact stopped the attempt to demonstrate at the Pan African Square near the ‘Clock Tower’ for lack of permit while a police spokesperson was quoted to have said that Embassies and High Commissions of coalition members had received ‘threatening phone calls’, allegedly from individuals incited by the statements of support for Gadaffi by the Pan African Movement.

It is felt that the time is ripe for Africa to boldly denounce dictators, murderers and butchers ‘leading’ their countries. The UN Security Council did in fact recognize that mass murder was being committed in Libya by Gadaffi’s henchmen and goons and no person in his or her right mind can surely condone such atrocities. It should also be recognised that it is Libyan’s on the ground carrying the freedom struggle to Tripoli and Gadaffi’s doorstep, and that in Egypt and Tunisia the people already succeeded to throw out corrupt regimes which stayed in place by use of force. Was that too the work of ‘Western colonialists’ or the result of sacrifice and struggle at a high price by citizens of those two countries?

The Pan African Movement, and in fact the African Union, need to do a reality check on just how long they are willing to protect murderous dictators and throw their weight behind them, or stand by idle and watch from the sidelines, leaving the ‘dirty work’ to the UN Security Council and countries willing to enforce UNSC resolutions.

High time for Libya to become ‘free’ again – inspite of the misguided efforts by the Pan African Movement to keep the dictator in place.

Conservation news update – Another UWA ranger killed in the line of duty

ANOTHER UWA RANGER KILLED

The remote Kidepo National Park was the scene of the latest victim of poachers violence against rangers and warden, when over the weekend yet another UWA staff was shot dead. According to information at hand aerial surveillance had established an intrusion into the park, allegedly from across the border in Southern Sudan, by poachers and when a ground patrol was dispatched to the location they were ambushed and shot at. The body of the only recently married Lt. Leopold Kyalisiima was in the meantime taken to his home in Kabale, South Western Uganda and buried with full honours.

Poaching has been on the upswing across much of sub Saharan Africa due to a strong demand for ivory and wildlife products from in particular China but also other Far Eastern countries, where legislation is poor and rarely enforce about the trading in blood ivory, skins and bones and the increased presence of Chinese workers on major projects financed by China too has been cited as a major reason for the increase in poaching, now also evident in East Africa.

Condolences are expressed to the family and friends of the late Kyalisiima, who gave his life for wildlife conservation – and it is hoped that his sacrifice will provoke yet greater resolve by UWA and the country’s security agencies to respond robustly, if not harshly, towards any future attempt to poach inside and outside our national parks.

Breaking news – LAICO owned Lake Victoria Hotel in Entebbe also ‘seized’

BREAKING NEWS – LAKE VICTORIA HOTEL ‘SEIZED’ TOO

The Laico owned and operated Lake Victoria Hotel in Entebbe, once the grand old dame of the hospitality industry in Entebbe, was according to breaking news just received also seized yesterday late in the day, when the Libyan appointed managers were told to hand over to a Ugandan senior manager who was made Acting General Manager until further notice.

In related developments board seats too appear to have been ‘frozen’ while the Ugandan government has taken ‘custody’ of the Libyan owned shares in the company, expanding the UN sanctions and asset freeze orders into the hospitality sector too.

Contrary to a flurry of rumours the hotel has NOT closed down nor have operations been affected, although creditors will undoubtedly be very anxious to be paid their outstanding bills in time and are not likely to extend further credit until the situation is fully ‘clarified’.

The management of the hotel then declined to answer phone queries but one staff did mention under condition of strict anonymity that the relieved general manager was overheard to refer callers to the Libyan Embassy for information before vacating the premises.

Find the latest information on this developing and very fluid situation here, where breaking news updates are posted.

Uganda news update – Libya sanctions and asset freeze now extend to UTL

LIBYA SANCTIONS AND ASSET FREEZE NOW EXTENDS TO UTL

Uganda Telecom, in which Libya holds 69 percent shares, was next on the list of the Ugandan government to ‘seize’ in line with the UN resolution on an asset freeze, when news emerged late yesterday that the shareholding and control by Libya over the communications company has been frozen.

Unlike in the case of the Bank of Uganda taking over control of the Libyan owned Tropical Africa Bank, no details were given by government on the fate of Libyan appointed management, which by conventional wisdom can expect to be ‘frozen’ too when care taker managers are put into place by government. In fact the company spokesperson attempted to calm the stormy waters by sending out a feeble statement that operations were continuing as ‘normal’ but few paid much attention to this. Uganda had much hope some years ago when deep pocketed Libya came on board to acquire majority shares in UTL, but as time went on it became apparent that the purse strings were not opened to inject the much needed added capital to expand and further modernize UTL, which was the first to introduce 3G in Uganda but failed to keep the pace with competitors who are now on the more recent 3.5+G systems, eyeing 4G to stay ahead of the pack. Instead, the Libyan holding company went ahead to acquire Zambia’s state owned telecoms company, leaving the Uganda operation to either seek out commercial loans from banks or else raise money through cash flow – or what was left of it after the Libyan installed management had taken out their ‘share’.

With Libyan regime leader Gadaffi’s fate now hanging in the balance, here in Uganda and across Africa his assets held by companies controlled directly by him, his family and selected cronies, are bound to be taken over sooner than later and industry observers in East Africa are counting the hours before the governments in Kenya and Rwanda – where Gadaffi’s Libya owns and manages two major hotels – will be taken over in compliance with UN resolutions. In Nairobi in particular all eyes are on the Grand Regency Hotel, which was ‘gifted’ to Gadaffi’s Libya for a fraction of its perceived true value, without competitive bidding, in what industry analysts called at the time ‘one of the most corrupt transactions of recent years’ while speculating who in fact benefitted from the ‘deal’ at the time. Investigations predictably led to not much more than hot air but in view of the latest developments the same sources claim that now is the opportunity to reverse the give away and under a new sale get as much as three times more for it.

Watch this space.

Seychelles news update – STB strategizes with partner islands

SEYCHELLES MEETS WITH OTHER ‘VANILLA ISLANDS’ TO MAP OUT COOPERATION

The Seychelles Tourist Board, represented by CEO Alain St. Ange, Deputy CEO Elsia Grandcourt and the CEO of the Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association Jennifer Sinon, met their counterparts from the other Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and the Comoros in Madagascar’s capital of Antananarivo. The European Union had arranged, through ProInvest, for the four ACP countries to meet and strategize how best to exploit commonalities as well as unique selling points, in order to attract more tourists to these Indian Ocean islands.

Industry analysts have promptly commented on the choice of the first meeting place, Madagascar, which while in great need for more tourists to return to the island, is in a political mess and has been shunned by the African Union and put under embargo by other blocks since the coup which brought the current regime leader into power. This has led to a predictable fall in tourist arrivals to a country where in addition to the political issues the government is also under sustained criticism for not doing enough to stop illegal logging and exportation of tropical hardwood, which has reportedly eaten deeply into the island’s forests, depriving wild- and bird life of their habitat.

However, it was learned that Mauritius will be the venue for a follow up meeting, generally felt more appropriate and certainly less controversial than Madagascar. In fact, the EU’s and ProInvest’s choice of Madagascar, considering the travel advisories in place and the political circumstances in Madagascar, might be raised by members of the European Parliament in the future with one source from Strasbourg / Brussels claiming it sends the wrong message to dictators and the European Commission and their chosen partners should know better than boosting shunned regimes with any level of support.

It is beyond doubt thought that the Comoros, Mauritius and the Seychelles of course are bound to benefit from the two tier meetings as they are free from such problems as cited for Madagascar, with in particular the Seychelles excelling in environmental protection and best practises.