During the financial year of 2023 to 2024, Uganda wildlife Authority the government agency seeking the ceiling of Non Tax Revenue (NTR) from Shs106.7 billion to Shs140 billion.
On Tuesday, 11 April 2023, Sam Mwandah UWA’s Executive Director makes a request while appearing before the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry.
“The committee that the request is based on the projected NTR collections of over Shs150 billion.” Mwandah says.
He added saying that they are not asking the Ministry of Finance to provide this money in the budget, they can just raise the ceiling.
Reasons why UWA needs increase revenue.
- The increase will be used in the upgrade of protected areas.
- Staff accommodation
- Rhino translocation
- Electric fence maintenance
- Valley dams construction and boundary surveillance and maintenance.
Hon. Martin Mugarra the Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities also appeared before the committee requested for an additional Shs97 billion on top of the proposed Shs214.5 billion budget for the 2023/2024 financial year.
“The funds will finance the underfunded priorities in the ministry as well as Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI).” He added.
Muggara said that his more confident that a decision to prioritize funding to tourism is the most cost-effective, timely and feasible economic strategy that our government can take.
“The ministry has developed a strategy that will see tourism foreign exchange earnings increase to US$$5.9 billion annually by 2028 and also achieve the Vision 2040 target of US$$12 billion in annual tourism foreign exchange earnings by 2040” muggara added.
Muggara continuously said that annually, this strategy requires a funding of Shs440 billion but the returns are relatively immediate and massive.
Doreen Katusiime the Permanent Secretary said that foreign exchange earnings of US$7 billion were realised in 2022 showing a 44 per cent recovery against 2019 levels where USD$1.6 billion was earned from tourism as an export.
“Uganda has been recognized internationally as a tourist destination that should be visited.” Doreen said.
In January 2023, the CNN news which is the world’s biggest and highly ranked news network published a travel article in which Uganda was listed as one of the best tourism destinations in the world and recommended its audience to explore Uganda in 2023.
Lawmakers applauded the sector for promoting the country and agreed that the required funding should be provided to enable generation of more revenue.
Hon. Betty Engola (NRM, Apac District) said that the committee should look into considering these unfunded priorities like construction of staff houses to facilitate them to do their work
“I agreed to the need to provide an additional Shs5.5 billion to UHTTI for operationalize of the institute’s new staffing structure and construction of students hostels, saying that the infrastructure is out dated.” Hon. Alfred Edakasi (NRM, Kaberamaido County) said.
Edakasi said that the institute should also review its curriculum to meet the current market needs as well as well as a human resource destination for the private sector.
Hon. Mwine Mpaka the Committee Chairperson pledged to advocate for adequate financing of the tourism sector but expressed disappointment with the quality of graduates from UHTTI.
He said his still not convinced that there is value for money from the institute. The quality of students is still wanting compared to those from Kenya. The committee needs to visit the institute and ascertain the challenges there.
