Wednesday 30 September 2009

KASESE DISTRICT


By John B. Thawite


Rwenzori Mountain National Park


Rwenzori Mountain National Park is a mountain range gazetted as a National Park in 1991. It covers 996 square km, with its highest peak, Margherita at 5,109 metres. Due to its international recognition, it was designated a world heritage site in 1994.

The mist-shrouded peaks of the mountains of the moon provide a stunning backdrop to this magnificent park, located on Uganda’s western border. In the center of the range, some of the peaks are permanently covered in snow and glaciers, while the lower slopes are covered with dense forests. Here is the third highest mountain in Africa, Mt Margherita, which rises to 5100 metres above sea level. Walking tours in the foothills are a feature, although only the experienced and fit t should attempt an ascent on the peaks, which rival the Alps in difficulty. Some of the wildlife to be found in the mountains includes the chimpanzees, along with the blue monkey, hyrax, giant forest hog and many unique bird species such as the Rwenzori touraco, the francolin and the olive pigeon.


Attractions


• Water falls

• Rivers, notable among them being, rivers, Maghoma, Mubuku and Bujuku.

• Lakes, notable among them being, lakes Maghoma, Bujuku and Kitandara.

• Primates which include, blue monkeys, black and white Colubus monkeys and chimpanzees

• Plants which include among others the giant lobelia and everlasting flower.

• Multiple zones/ecosystem including grassland, Montana forest zone, bamboo zone, enyehathius / Heather zone, Afro Alpine zone.

• Rock shelters which include, Kabamba, Bujongolo.

• Three horned chameleon (endemic).

• Rwenzori touraco.


Current activities

i. Mountaineering

ii. Primate viewing

iii. Bird viewing

iv. Nature walks

v. Research

vi. Filming

vii. Scenic viewing.



Tourism Opportunities




Other tourism opportunities that can be developed


a) Lodges.

b) Guiding & porter services

c) Rock climbing

d) Chair lifts e.g. in Kilembe

e) Chimpanzee viewing (habituation)

f) Boating on lakes

g) Visits to cultural sites

h) Trans-boundary tourist management

i) Community tourism

j) Opening of other trails.

The drop in number of the tourists during 1995 to 1999 was due to the ADF insurgency that hit the region. With stable security in the region, the number is increasing and Kasese district is reasserting itself as a must tourist destination


Queen Elizabeth National Park:


It has been designed as a Biosphere Reserve for humanity under UNESCO auspices.

The park, in the western arms of the greatest East African rift valley, covers 1,978 sq km and includes a remarkable variety of ecosystems, from semi deciduous tropical forest to green meadows, savannah and swamps.

It was first gazetted as Kazinga National Park on 22nd July 1952 and two years later the Queen of England visited this park and in commemoration of her visit it was renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park.

It borders to the north by the Rwenzori mountains, to the west by Lake Edward which borders Virunga National Park in The Democratic Republic of Congo and to the east the Western rift valley escarpments.

It is the home of the famous tree- climbing lions as well as the Uganda Kobs, other antelopes’ species, elephants, baboons, hippos, buffaloes and chimpanzees. Over 600 species of birds have been recorded, making the park a magnate for bird watchers.

The bird species include the black bee-eater, 11 types of king fisher, and several species of falcons, eagles and other raptors. In the crate lakes to the north, flocks of flamingos can be found. A favourite way to view the game is by launch trip on the Kazinga channel between lakes George and Edward.

Generally investment opportunities in the tourism sector include:

• Tour and Travel business.

• Provision of quality hotel facilities that meet international standards.

• Training facilities in tourism industry.

• Development of specialized eco-tourism.

• Marketing Kasese District both in and outside Uganda.

• Promotion of avi-tourism.

• Promotion of sports in the district.

• Expansion of mountaineering services.

The tradition hospitality of the Kasese people is another important draw-card. The district’s population is united in providing a warm welcome to foreign guests; so even in the smallest of villages, local people will go out of their way to make tourists feel at home. The National Parks have been designated a Biosphere.


Financial services

The financial services offered in Kasese District are offered by the following:

• Commercial Banks.

• Micro finance institutions, which include NGOs’ and formal

Cooperative Savings and Credit Societies.

There are four commercial banks: Stanbic, Centenary Rural Development Bank and Barclays bank, all in Kasese town.

The micro finance services include those offered by:

• Pride Africa.

• Church of Uganda – Rwenzori Diocese.

• Catholic church - Kasese Diocese.

• Savings and Credit cooperative societies.

· Equity bank

They have been able to meet their initial capital and operating costs. They have been meeting a

real and genuine demand since most of the rural population has been left out from the

formal banking sector.

The overall objective of the financial sector reforms is to increase competition and

efficiency.

7. Investment opportunities in this sector include:

• Provision of professional accountancy services.

• Establishment of rural commercial banks.

• Provision of rural investment advisory services.

• Provision of rural agricultural finance scheme.

A number of factors make Kasese district a major potential investment area.


Strategic location

Kasese District occupies a strategic position in western Uganda, which gives it an advantage for the eventual development of exports to the nearest countries of Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania with a railway line connected to Mombasa, Kenya.


Good political environment

The political governance in Kasese district is committed to economic growth through the liberal economic policies.

Multinational companies like, Kasese Cobalt Company Ltd, Hima Cement (U) Ltd,

Kilembe Mines Ltd, Mweya Safari Lodge and Tronder Power among others are investing millions of dollars in expanding their operations in the district.

The Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC) has committed a lot of millions of shillings in

improving the rural community based projects in agricultural extension, education, health, community mobilization, water and feeder roads, UNICEF among other donors has also committed funds in the district for improving health, roads, community mobilization, water and sanitation facilities.


Supportive infrastructure

Kasese district has benefited a lot in the development of its infrastructure with assistance from the central government. All sub counties are linked with accessible feeder roads. Kasese district is linked with its trade partners with a well-maintained trunk road system. The rail transport, which was used for bulk cargo transport to Kampala, is temporarily out of service.

Kasese district has an operational airfield, which is capable of handling air traffic c to all major

business centres in Uganda. Government is in the final stages of upgrading it to an international airport, capable of accommodating a Boeing 737. The telecommunication infrastructure is well developed which include mobile cellular phones (MTN, Zain, Uganda telecom, Warid and more recently, Orange optic and fixed line services.

Tourist accommodation is currently being catered for by two standard hotels

(Margherita and Mweya Safari Lodge) and other good local hotels in the district. The Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry in its Integrated Tourism development Master Plan, recognizes the need to create additional capacity, particularly in the National Parks.


Trainable English Speaking Labour Force.

Kasese District has an exemplary trainable English speaking labour force as other

investors in the district have found out. The district has been heavily committed

towards education. Compensation rates for both skilled and unskilled labour are

provided for under the Workmen’s compensation Act that is a statutory instrument of

Government of Uganda. More important, there has been no history of labour disputes

and industrial strikes in the district.


Abundant opportunities and Natural Resource Base

Kasese’s resource endowment is in its rainfall, favourable temperature range, fertile soils, national parks, lakes, rivers and unexplored mineral deposits that allow the district to offer a wide range of opportunities for investors.

It offers a wide range of opportunities in a wide range of areas of agriculture and agro processing, fisheries, livestock, mining, financial services and tourism.

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12. Utilities: power and water

There is reliable hydropower supplied by Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd, Kilembe Mines Ltd and Kasese Cobalt Company Ltd. Water is supplied by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation to Kasese Town Council, which flows by gravity from the Rwenzori Mountains. There are several water gravity flow schemes in the district.


Other Services

Legal, Immigration, Medical, Clearing & Forwarding, & Insurance services are all available in the district. There is a grade I Magistrates court in Kasese Town and other lower magistrate’s courts at sub counties and the provision of the High Court is underway. Immigration services are provided at Mpondwe, which is at the border with the Democratic republic of Congo 50km from Kasese Town.

There is one government hospital (Bwera) and two semi-private ones (Kagando and Kilembe in Kasese District with Health units in all sub counties.

Other services include the National Social Security Fund and clearing and Forwarding services (Panalpina, Transami, Spedag) in Kasese town and Mpondwe respectively.


Quality of life

The quality and cost of living in Kasese District compares favourably with what investors

may hope to find else where in Uganda. Two standard hotels; Margherita Hotel is found in Kasese town while Mweya Lodge is in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Leisure facilities exist for such pass time as golf, football, swimming, tennis and other indoor games. Primary Education is among the

best in the country with good schools in Kasese town.

Housing and accommodation with all the necessary facilities are easily available in Kasese town and Kilembe Mines estates within easy reach.