THREAD

2020 Highlights in Uganda's Tourism & Travel.

This year was undoubtedly strange. But we had some wins in Uganda's travel, conservation, hospitality & tourism sectors....

#VisitUganda #Uganda #Travel #PANYC2020

Uganda registers a gorilla baby boom. With the highest number of babies in a single year. 12 gorillas were born this year.

#Gorillas are Uganda's highest foreign revenue earner of all all wildlife.

Singer @eddykenzoficial is appointed Uganda's tourism ambassador by @TourismBoardUg.

Entebbe International airport opens part of the expanded airport terminal, to passengers.

The new departure passenger terminal will handle at least more than 3 million passengers a year. Compared to 2 million previously.

The @UWEC_EntebbeZoo acquired 2 Tigers, the first time in 50 years that Uganda has the rare cats. Tigers are mostly found in Asia.

Parliament unanimously rejects the proposal by the government to construct a hydro-power dam at Uhuru Falls in Murchison falls national park. 

Conservationists had protested the plan, saying it would affect the ecosystem of Murchison falls, a key tourist attraction.

Uganda boosts its national carrier's ( @UG_Airlines) fleet with an Airbus A330-800neo. The first of the two models ordered by Uganda was delivered this month.

These will open routes to London, Dubai & Guangzhou. This will ease connectivity for foreign tourists.

2020 saw a boom in domestic travel. Authorities say Ugandans picked more interest in touring the country, following the easing of the long Covid lockdown.

Travel groups (especially millennials) visited different destinations.

MTV announces #Kampala will be host of the 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs). The February event will be virtual, and Uganda seeks to leverage it to promote itself as a tourist destination.

#MTVMAMA #MTVMAMA2021

A Batwa cultural centre is launched in Kanungu district, at the edge of the Bwindi forest.

@ChangeBwindi will use the centre to showcase the unique culture of the Batwa people whose heritage is at the brink of extinction.

New hospitality facilities open to visitors in different parts of Uganda.

Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge (Fort Portal)
Kigambira Safari Lodge (Lake Mburo)
Elephant Plains Lodge (Q.Elizabeth)
Hotel Africanna (Moroto)

@kigambira @AramagaLodge @wekesa_amos @HotelAfricana

A baby rhino is born at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary ( @rhinofunduganda) bringing the rhino population at the sanctuary to 33.

#Rhinos

More Ugandans take on the challenge to summit Mount Rwenzori. These included @LillyAjarova @Snduhukire, @enamara & Golola Moses.

#Hiking #Rwenzori

In the wake of Covid travel restrictions, Uganda Wildlife Authority launches 'Uganda Wild & Live' campaign, to enable Ugandans visit national parks virtually through LIVE Facebook broadcasts. #UgandaWildnLive

More Ugandans tracked #gorillas this year than ever before, according to UWA. It costs a Ugandan Ugx250,000 to get a gorilla tracking permit.

UWA recently announced a promo, slashing ticket fees to Ugx150,000.

#Wildlife

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) reported a number of births of giraffes, impalas and zebras from those that were translocated to new habitats like Kidepo, Pian Upe and Kalongo reserve.

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