It has been over three months since the government of Uganda closed down national parks and zoos from visitors as a measure to counter check the novel Corona Virus disease. As the world turns a leaf to the new normal, one of Uganda’s celebrated wildlife protected spaces, Entebbe Zoo, is slated to resume operations next month according to Dr. James Musinguzi the centre’s executive director.
According to Musinguzi, the wildlife center has made huge losses throughout the lockdown period. This has been because no visitors were visiting the centre thus limited operations around the site. More so, the center could no longer get money from gate-collection.
With the continued struggle to feed animals with food worth Sh3m daily, the Zoo administrators had to appeal for help from the government and well-wishers. The government later dispatched Sh746m to UWEC to bail out such institutions. Private individuals and companies also contributed cash and food items adding up to over Sh65m.
Presently, for an individual to access the Zoo premises, there has to be a prior appointment made, stating a convincing reason for your visit. Upon reaching the gate, a visitor is subjected to proper screening and sanitation procedures before accessing the facility.
Prior to the Covid19, over Sh800m had been allocated by the government towards infrastructure development at the animal centre. Several structures have been put in place, including new animals holdings, floating restaurant, putting up security cameras, greening the environment and revamping structures among others. “We are delivering on our work-plan target and surely coming back with a bang,” remarked Dr. Musinguzi.
The UWEC boss also explained that standard operating procedures are being put in place as the Zoo readies for re-opening. “The board of directors will later convene to pass those standard operating procedures after assessing and scrutinizing the infrastructure we’ve put in place,” noted Musinguzi.
Unlike in the past where the money collected at the gate would be spent at the centre, with effect from July, all monies collected at UWEC, shall be remitted to the consolidated fund. In return, the government will be advancing the centre with all the money for feeding animals as well as paying staff salaries and utilities.
“Our budget in the next financial year 2020/2021 is Sh13.11b out of which, Sh6.46b is for recurrent expenditure whereas Sh6.65b is for capital development,” stated Dr. Musinguzi.
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