KAMPALA, Uganda — The Uganda Wildlife Authority will offer free access to five of the country’s savanna parks from Sept. 25-27 as part of an initiative to promote domestic tourism and conservation.
The “Open Park Day” will provide free entry to Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Officials hope the campaign will increase local awareness of wildlife protection and the economic potential of ecotourism. Tourism is one of Uganda’s key economic sectors, contributing to foreign exchange earnings and employment.
In a related development, the UWA recently named Queen Karungi Bridget from southwestern Uganda as its new tourism ambassador. The honor was presented by Stephen Masaba, the UWA’s director of tourism, during the Miss Tourism Uganda Finale in Kampala.
Bridget is expected to help promote conservation initiatives and engage local communities in environmental stewardship. The UWA stated that her new role “reaffirms Uganda’s commitment to empowering young leaders to champion conservation, tourism, and the beauty of the Pearl of Africa.”
