Uganda’s wildlife is roaring for attention as the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) seeks a 10 billion Ugandan Shilling boost to jumpstart lion breeding in three national game parks next fiscal year. This move is a strategic response to combat the dwindling lion population and navigate the challenging terrain of human-wildlife conflicts.
The proposal, a star in the ongoing budget discussions, takes center stage via the Committee on Tourism, Trade, and Industry. Mwine Mpaka, the chairman of the Trade Committee, underscores the urgency of these funds to revive the dwindling lion numbers, a setback acknowledged during a committee session.
“At UWEC, we’re nurturing 15 lions, but the national lion tribe is thinning due to our human counterparts,” Mr. Mpaka lamented. The breeding spectacle is set to unfold in the theatres of Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo, and Murchison Falls National Parks.
The financial drama unfolds with a proposed tourism sector budget of 248.7 billion Shillings, facing a 309 billion Shilling shortfall. In this budgetary thriller, the Trade Committee choreographs a dance with unfunded priorities, a captivating storyline totaling 96.3 billion Shillings, spotlighting critical areas for the sector’s blockbuster in the 2024/2025 Financial Year.
In a bid to give Uganda’s tourism sector a cinematic glow-up, the Trade Committee pitches an additional 4 billion Shillings for the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). This budgetary cameo aims to tackle negative publicity, a subplot fueled by unfortunate incidents in Queen Elizabeth National Park last year.
The UTB plans to cast its positive narrative across global screens, earmarking funds for media giants like the BBC, National Geographic, and CNN. As the plot thickens, 1 billion Shillings steps onto the stage for Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), taking the lead in showcasing the nation’s diverse tourism destinations.
In summary, Uganda’s lion-hearted plea for 10 billion Shillings echoes a wild symphony for conservation. With a blend of financial acrobatics and creative storytelling, this budget saga unfolds as a comprehensive strategy to protect and showcase the nation’s untamed treasures.
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