Media Witch-hunt

A Ugandan news paper has today 26th February 2014 released a list comprising of 200 names of top homosexuals just a few days after the president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni signed into law an anti-gay bill which bans promotion of homosexuality and lesbianism behaviour in the country, anyone found guilty will be punished according to the anti-homosexuality act seen below;

• Life imprisonment for gay sex, including oral sex
• Life imprisonment for "aggravated homosexuality", including sex with a minor or while HIV-positive
• Life imprisonment for living in a same-sex marriage
• Seven years for "attempting to commit homosexuality"
• Between five and seven years in jail or a $40,700 (£24,500) fine or both for the promotion of homosexuality
• Businesses or non-governmental organisations found guilty of the promotion of homosexuality would have their certificates of registration cancelled and directors could face seven years in jail

 This list has raised concern of witch-hunt against gay people like one David Kato, a gay activist who was attacked and killed in 2011 after his name was published in a local paper.  Majority of the people whose names appear on this list are based abroad including many Ugandans who are still “hiding in the closet”. Well known activists like Pepe Julian Onzima and Jackline Kasha who tweeted “the media witch-hunt is back” are also on the list alongside a popular hip-hop star and a catholic priest, AP reports.

President Yoweri Musevini signing the bill on 21/02/2014

Western Governments are very unhappy with the signing of this bill like the US secretary of state John Kerry who described it as a tragic day for Uganda. The western Governments are rethinking their relationship with the Uganda Government including the assistance programmes which reports show is; $400M from the US, 10,8M from Sweden, $9.6M from Netherlands and $17M from Denmark and Norway. “homosexuality is a behaviour that can be learned and can be unlearned” said David Bahati, a Ugandan member of Parliament who sponsored the Bill.

The Pied Kingfisher

This beautiful black and white bird from the kingdom Animalia is easily identified by its noisy call (they make loud chirruk chirruk notes) making them very noisy and hard to miss birds. They are widely distributed across Africa and Asia. In Uganda, they are commonly found around the water bodies and swamp areas. Males have a double band across the breast while females have a single gorget that is often broken in the middle. They have a remarkable ability to steadily hover vertically over water bodies. This technique enables them hunt and swallow their fish on the go unlike other kingfishers that need to perch, therefore they can hunt for hours over the vast Lake Victoria. They have sharp beaks and strong claws that they use as a tool for hunting (fishing). Researchers have found that this bird can fly at 32mph with a straight rapid flight. They mostly feed on large insects found around the swampy areas like dragon flies and small fish locally known as mukene and nkejje, although competition for small fish tightened after the Nile Perch was introduced in the waters of Lake Victoria. Because of their diet, they tend to build their nests around the Lake. Majority of the pied kingfisher do not migrate therefore making them resident birds. Its nest is a hole excavated in a vertical mud bank about five feet above water where they lay their eggs during the breeding season which begins in February and ends around April. The adult birds participate in feeding the new hatchlings especially the ones that are not yet breeding. Some African cultures associate this king fisher with good luck.

the pied kingfisher can fly 32mph

Biological data:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Coraciiformes
Genus: Ceryle
Species: C. Rudis

References:

1)      BirdLife International (2012). "Ceryle rudis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.

2)      ^ Wanink, Jan H.; Goudswaard, Kees (P. C.) (1994). "Effects of Nile perch (Lates niloticus) introduction into Lake Victoria, East Africa, on the diet of Pied Kingfishers (Ceryle rudis)". Hydrobiologia. 279–280 (1): 367–376. doi:10.1007/BF00027868.

seven wonders of Bunyarugru

Located in westen Uganda in Bushenyi, Bunyaruguru is one of the destinations in Uganda that is blessed with natural resources. The day today researchers have discovered what they call the “seven wonders of Bunyaruguru” which include,

The 82 beautiful crater lakes within seven sub-counties. One of them lake Rutoto which is shaped like Africa. Also the spectacular twin lakes Katinda and Murambi, separated by a few meters. Others are the blue lake Kyemo and the transparent lakes Kamiranjojo and Kamuzuku.

The sudden cool air travellers along the Mbarara-Kasese highway feel when they enter the Bunyaruguru highlands also qualified as the second wonder

Bunyaruguru is located in an area that experienced volcanicity in the past leaving the soils so fertile that the area never runs short of food, in fact this part of western Uganda is referred to as the “Granary of Bushenyi”

The escarpment shows a breathtaking sudden fall from highlands into the rift valley hence displaying magnificent scenery.



twin lakes Katinda and Murambi

 

The impenetrable forests of Karinju and Katsohakitoni which has left many stranded and awed by its wide biodiversity and thickness

The indigenous habitats of Bunyaruguru uniquely build their houses with volcanic stone slabs which are different from their neighbour’s brick houses.

Evidence of volcanicity in Bunyaruguru

 

 

 

 

 

The mountains that go by the name Kiita Mpungu which means “the mountains which kills eagles” it was given such a name because of its heights.

All these beautiful features have wooed tourists and geographers to Bushenyi to witness its beauty and charm.
to get more information on Ugandan destinations, visit www.leotoriasafaris.com

Fake Gorilla tracking permits

Bwindi is home to half of the world's population of the highly endangered Mountain Gorillas therefore making it the leading tourist attraction in Uganda. In order to track these brown eyed beautiful mammals successfully, one has to book a permit in advance as the gorillas are migratory.
Given its delicate habitat, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has a policy of regulating the number of tourists that enter the forest in order to minimise degradation.
however it has been discovered that fake tracking permits are circulating.



Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National park

four people have been arrested for forging gorilla tracking permits. the culprits identified as Kato Arnold, David Ojok and their two unidentified co-workers were nabbed by police on December 20th 2013 according to the Sunday Vision January 5th 2014. they were arrested in Wandegeya where they allegedly operate from although one of them was arrested from kisoro district by one of the staff members of Uganda Wildlife Authority while he was driving tourists to the national game park. Kato was also discovered to be in possesion of counterfeit notes of dollars although he denied intending to use it but rather he claimed the fake notes were to be used in shooting a music video.

The case was taken to kisoro police then later transfered to Wandegeya police station in Kampala. It was discovered that Kato Anold and his collegues had forged receipts, two laptops, a paper cutter and 13 printed sheets, which containing six notes of dollars in denominations of 100 plus 127 already cut notes. although David Ojok and Anorld Kato have denied having any knowledge of how these items ended up in their Work station, the case is still under investigation.
according to the commandant of tourism police, the racket is very big and may pose as a huge threat and frustration to the tourism industry of Uganda.
to get more information visit www.leotoriasafaris.com

accommodation in kampala

1)    Entebbe luxury hotels and appartments

Mob: +256717661788

Emai: entebbeluxappts@yahoo.com

2)      Mirembe back packers, entebbed road

Mob: +256772586059

Email: sales@joycampervansafari.net

Website: www.joycampervansafari.net  

3)      Acacia Apartments, 23A Acacia Avanue &48 Windsor Crescent kololo kampala. Mob: +256772403462/+256712069676

Email: acaciaapartments@gmail.com 

4)      Acacia Suites, 31 Acacia Avenue, kololo kampala

Tel: (041)4254644 mob: +256712212121

Email: apartmentsinkampala@gmail.com

Website: www.apartmentsinkampala.com 

5)      Afrique Suites Hotel, 95 circular road, mutungo hill, kampala

Tel: (041)4223385, mob: +256772469880

Email: info@afriquesuiteshotel.co.ug

6)      Constellation Suites, Ternan Avenue, Nakasero, kampala

Tel: 0414420000

Email: reservation.kampala@sheraton.com  

7)      Crystal Suites, wankoko bugolobi, kampala

Mob: +256712629483 tel: +256414259087

Email: info@crystalsuitesuganda.com

Website: www.crystalsuitesuganda.com

8)      Dolphin Suites, princess Ann drive, bugolobi kampala

Tel: 0414505652/3/5 Email: dolphin@infocom.co.ug

Website: www.dolphinsuites.co.ug



the 5star Kampala serena hotel

9)      Fairway Hotel, 1 kafu road, nakasero kampala

Tel: 0414259571 Email: info@fairwayhotel.co.ug

Website: www.fairwayhotel.com

10)   Golf Course Apartments, 5 Makindu Close, kololo,

Kampala. Tel: 0414255465 Email: gci@golfcourseapartments.com

11)   Hill View Apartments, 7-9 Clement hill Road, Nakasero Kampala

Tel: 0414233963  Mob: +256752650067

Email: hillview@utlonline.co.ug website: www.hillview.w1.co.ug

12)  Kabira Club, 63 Old kira Rd, bukoto, kampala Tel: 0312227222-5

Email: kabiracountryclub@kabiracountryclub.com

13)  Khalifa Executive Suites, 14 Binayomba Road, Luthuli Avenue. Bugolobi. Tel: 0414222575 mob: +256701333333

Email: khalifa@khalifasuites.com. Website: www.khalifasuites.com

14)   Mosa Courts Apartments R12 Shimoni Road, kampala. Tel: 0414230321 Email: mosa@infocom.co.ug Website:

www.mosaapartments.com  

15)   Nkwanzi courts, 1B Acacia Avenue, kololo, kampala. Tel: 0414251878 mob: +256712900122  

16)   Pr3stige Apartments, 9 lumumba Avenue, nakasero, kampala UgandaTel: 0312265307 mob: +256702820100 Email: info@prestige-apartments.com website: www.prestige-apartments.com

17)  Regency Suites and Apartments, 30 lugogo bypass, kampala.  Tel: 0414251878 mob: +256752743212 Email: info@regency-suitesug.com website: www.regency-suitesug.com

18)  Shangri-La Nyonyi Gardens hotel and apartments, kololo hill, nyonyi gardens. Mob: +256772222622/+256772222612 Email: nyonyi@hotel-apartment-uganda.com website: www.hotel-apartment-uganda.com

traditional colonial lodge setting

19)  Speke Apartments, 19 Wampewo Avenue, kololo kampala Email: spekehotel@spekehotel.com website: www.spekehotel.com

20)  Speke Resort munyonyo, kampala tel: 0414227111 Email: spekeresort@spekeresort.com website: www.spekeresort.com

21)  Summit view Apartments kololo, 21/23 kololo hill tel: 0312298208 Email: contact@summitviewapartments.net website: www.summitviewapartments.net

22)  Backpackers, natete road, lungujja. Tel: 0414274767 mob: +256772430587 Email: backpackers@infocom.co.ug

23)  Red chilli hideaway, off portbell road mbuya, kampala. Tel: 0414223903 mob: +256772509150. Email: chilli@infocom.co.ug website. www.redchillihideaway.com

24)  Lakeside Adventure Park, Bule Island, kampala mob: +256755214166 Email: info@lakeside.ug.com website: www.lakeside.ug

 

25)  Africana Hotel, 2-4 Wampewo Avenue, kampala Uganda. Tel: 0414777000 mob: +2567752748080/1 Email: Africana@hotelafricana.com website: www.hotelafricana.com

26)  Equatoria Hotel, 37-39 Will street. Tel: 0414250783

27)  Fang fang hotel, 9 sezibwa road, nakasero kampala Uganda. Tel: 0414235828. Email: fangfanghotel@yahoo.com website: www.fangfanghotel.co.ug

28)  Golf course Hotel, 64-88 yusuf lule road kampala Uganda. Tel: 041 4563500. Email: reservations@gofcoursehotel.com website: www.golfcoursehotel.com 

29)  Humura resorts, 3 kitante close, nakasero kololo. Tel: 041 4700400. Email: reservations@humura.or.ug website: www.humura.org

30)  Kampala Serena hotel, 6-8 Nile Avenue, nakasero. Tel: 0414309000. Email: kampala@serena.co.ug website: www.serenahotels.com

31)  Lake Victoria Serena Resort, Lweza-kigo road. Entebbe. Tel: 0417121000. Email: lakevictoria@serena.co.ug

 

32)   Protea hotel: 4 upper kololo terrace, kololo kampala. Tel: 0414550000 Email: res@proteakla.co.ug website: www.proteahotels.com/kampala

33)  Sheraton Hotel, Ternan Avenue, Nakasero kampala. Tel 0414420000. Email: reservations.kampala@sheraton.com

34)  Sky hotel international limited, 1423, ntinda-naalya road. Mob: +256701838967. Email: info@skyhoteluganda.com website: www.skyhoteluganda.com

35)  Emin Pasha Hotel, 27 Akibua road, nakasero. Tel:0414236977 email: info@eminpasha.com website: www.eminpasha.com

smallest tribe in uganda

Comprising of only 11,000, the Ik community from northern Uganda are an attraction that is feared to be almost extinct. They reside in Kabong district on top of the Morongole hill. They mainly live in isolation, far away from other tribes up on the hill which takes 55 minutes to climb. They are not karamojong but look exactly like the karamojong. The Ik migrated from Ethiopia, crossed through Kenya and finally settled in Uganda on Morongole Mountain. Unlike the karamojong who dedicate their lives to keeping livestock, the Iks are farmers. They don’t have a staple food, to them, anything provided by God is food. However, hunting is a main activity. They practise hunting where men, women and children participate mainly to promote unity but most importantly to initiate the children into adulthood. It is during these hunting trips that helpful teachings are transferred from father to son.




the Ik have a striking resemblance with the Karamojong

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ik strike a remarkable resemblance to the karamojong mainly because of the body piercing which are made using sharp razorblades and pins. These markings are considered to be serious beauty markings. They pierce big holes on their ear lobes, in this case the bigger the hole, the better. In these holes, they wear jewellery that work hand in hand with the body markings to bring out the beauty. The ear jewellery is crafted from cow horn while the waist and neck jewellery is carefully assembled from brightly coloured beads.

For a small community, the Iks have a rich culture which is evident in their way of life in general. this has in its own way, contributed to the tourism sector of Uganda as journalist/visitors travel from far and wide to participate in their communal activities in order to get to know much more about the few but closely woven IK.

mountain Elgon

Mountain Elgon is a high 4,321 extinct volcanic mountain with Wagagai as its peak. It is located near Mbale on the eastern border with Kenya. It’s a watershed with its slopes rich with a variety of vegetation zones ranging from montane forest to high open moorland that is home to the famous lobelia plant which the locals refer to as the love plant. Hikers prefer this mountain mostly because of its spectacular scenery. However, there is also a wide variety of other attractions like monkeys, antelope, elephant and buffalo. Elgon also boasts of 300 bird species that is not recorded elsewhere in Uganda. Researchers discovered ancient cave paintings at budadiri. The settlers around mountain elgon have occasionally visited the hot springs within the crater for medicinal purposes.


slopes of mountain of the moon
 

 

 

It has been recently discovered by the Uganda Wildlife Authority that encroachers are cutting down trees and poaching animals’ within Mountain Elgon National park. “The future of the mountain as a tourism site might be at stake following the relentless incursions by poachers” said Mr. Masereka John who is the chief warden at the park. Mr. Masereka said neighbouring residents have of late increased human activity into the protected wildlife zone mainly in search of game meat, lumbering and extraction of medicinal plants and establishing human settlement.

Tourism industry in Uganda is threatened and might decline due to the unchecked massive encroachment that has seen fancied birds and animals that have been the source of tourist attraction fleeing to Kenya and neighbouring countries where they can live peacefully.