In yet another effort to ensure the safety of tourists in the Protected Areas (PAs) and elsewhere in Uganda, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is spearheading the creation of a Tourism Police Desk at the Central Police Station in Kampala in collaboration with the Uganda Police and the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO).
This follows a meeting held by UWA and AUTO with the Inspector General of Police, Major General Katumba Wamala on 10th October 2005 at the Police Headquarters in Kibuli, where it was agreed that the new desk be manned by well-informed and well-facilitated Police Officers to handle inquiries and concerns by tourists on matters of law and order.
Police will display the contact telephone numbers of the desk and the individual officers to ensure easy accessibility by the public.
In addition other Police Officers will be designated to handle any tourism-related issues in areas of the country that are frequented by tourists. This will also include establishing police posts where they currently do not exist such as at Buhoma, near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Plans are underway to acquire a vehicle to facilitate the activities of the Tourism Police Desk within and outside the city. Police is calling upon the public to report any incidents of lawlessness likely to threaten the safety, comfort and enjoyment of the tourists while in Uganda.
As part of the partnership between the three institutions, the Uganda Police will work with AUTO to equip tour guides and drivers with security tips when having tourists. These will be given identification tags so that tourists can easily identify them in case they misbehave or abscond from their responsibilities.
In a related development the Army Commander Major General Aronda Nyakairima has hailed UWA’s achievements and resolve to keep the Protected Areas secure. This was during a meeting that was held on 10th October 2005 at the UWA Headquarters between the Army Commander, the Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry (MTTI) Hon. Daudi Migereko, the Permanent Secretary for MTTI Dr. Sam Nahamya and the UWA Executive Director, Mr. Moses Mapesa.
The Army Commander reaffirmed the UPDF’s commitment to continue helping with training UWA rangers as well as the SWIFT force, which has been deployed in all the Protected Areas. Aronda also congratulated UWA on their good show during the parade/match-past at the 9th October 2005 43rd Independence Celebrations at the Kololo Airstrip.
He advised UWA and MTTI to improve on the infrastructure within the Protected Areas particularly roads, aerodromes and radio equipment. The UWA Executive Director reassured him that this is being handled.
The Minister for Tourism Trade and Industry, Hon Daudi Migereko on his part reiterated government’s commitment to guarantee security in the Protected Areas to boost tourism in the country adding that tourism, as a leading foreign exchange earner, is a priority sector for government.
