The Battle Between Tourism & Oil In Uganda

Uganda has found itself in a tremendously unique position which many other countries would die for. Not only has Lonely Planet – the world’s leading traffic monitor made it 2012′s number 1 destination to visit the country is also about to undertake its own oil exploration in the Albertine Region. Although this situation may seem perfect on the surface the oil exploration is actually taking place in the middle of Uganda’s main tourist region home to the majority of the country’s most famous National Parks (Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, Semuliki and Rwenzori Mountain).

When travelling to Uganda on an African safari the only real place to visit other than the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the Albertine region of the country to experience a safari at its absolute best. Tullow Oil Plc. last week commissioned a road to be built from Te Bito plains up to Murchison Falls at the cost of $200,000 to offer an alternative route through the National Park giving tourists the opportunity to experience the vast array of wild and birdlife this outstanding area has to offer. It’s plain for everyone to see however that although Tullow Oil Plc. are constructing a road out of their own funds for the use of tourists it will actually also be of great benefit to them when they eventually begin their oil exploration in 2012.

This situation is unique to Uganda, you will not find oil exploration going on in a National Park near you when you travel on a Kenya safari or on a Botswana safari. Tullow General Manager Eion Mekie said that ”we want to show people that we are not only a good neighbour but also a highly respected, responsible company.” Tourism Minister Ephraim Kamuntu went on to say that ”Oil will be finished in a few years’ time whereas wildlife will be around for ever, but we need to be careful that we don’t harm or destroy it as we will rely on it as a resource in the future.”

Currently only 2.3% of the Ugandan government’s budget goes on tourism every year which is why Mr Kamuntu emphasised the importance of the oil and tourism sectors being able to work together, as one day the revenue generated from oil will be able to sustain the tourism industry in the country.