Comments for Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge wins investment award at http://www.independent.co.ug , comment 1 to 6 out of 6 comments http://www.independent.co.ug Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:27:16 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.independent.co.ug/supplement/111-23rd-nrm-anniversary-/548-clouds-mountain-gorilla-lodge-wins-investment-award#comment-20753 Dear Editor, Clouds hotel has crippled the development of the community through destroying the growth of local investors and worth of it monopolizing permits. The fact is that the investor takes over 90% of the monetary benefits and hides in community roles. The agreement should be revised before the community washes the dirty Lenin in the public. The community has even thought legal advice through a lawyer based in Nairobi and is threatening to sue the so called winner of the investment award. The Attorney general also recommended the revision of the agreement because it was found to be unfair to the community. Have you ever read animal farm? - Makuregye Nathan Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:17:15 +0100 http://www.independent.co.ug/supplement/111-23rd-nrm-anniversary-/548-clouds-mountain-gorilla-lodge-wins-investment-award#comment-20737 Dear Editor, I have some reservations about the benefits accruing from this lodge. The benefit of the community was based on the assumption that Uganda Safari Company Limited (USCL) would charge $150 per visitor and the community under their umbrella organization Nkuringo Conservation and Development Foundation (NCDF) would get $30 per visitor. However, USCL increased from $150 per visitor to $450 and nothing has been increased for the community. The benefit of the community should be indicated in percentages i.e. the community should get 30% of whatever is charged per visitor. Secondly, the services at the Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge are very expensive for local and international tourists compared to other eco-lodges in other countries. Thirdly, the money is not well managed by the community. In most cases, it has ended up as allowances for the community's executive committee and the common man has not benefited anything. - Muyambi Ellady Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:22:07 +0100 http://www.independent.co.ug/supplement/111-23rd-nrm-anniversary-/548-clouds-mountain-gorilla-lodge-wins-investment-award#comment-18420 These are very encouraging comments about Clouds Lodge. This project witnessed a lot of 'Doubting Thomases' and distractors along the way, but its pushing on so well, and yet this is only Yr1! To the community of Nkuringo, I ask them to remain steadfast despite all misinformation, etc etc. For you, the Sky might be the limit. Whether, this project could be replicated anywhere else, I think in principle yes, but importantly, the key stakeholders need to accept and support it - Stephen Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:09:03 +0100 http://www.independent.co.ug/supplement/111-23rd-nrm-anniversary-/548-clouds-mountain-gorilla-lodge-wins-investment-award#comment-18047 Good to hear of an investment that is benefiting the local people who suffer the costs of living contiguous to a protected area. Could this program be replicated in Buhoma and Ruhija gorilla tourism sites? I don't think the local communities in these 2 areas are benefiting as much as those of Nkuringo. As Boaz suggests, the scheme could be replicated in other protected areas. There is need to renegotiate with Madhavani in Mweya and Paraa Safari Lodge in Murchison - baingana Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:28:06 +0100 http://www.independent.co.ug/supplement/111-23rd-nrm-anniversary-/548-clouds-mountain-gorilla-lodge-wins-investment-award#comment-13003 This is the best article about Clouds I've seen yet. I've had the honor of visiting and seeing how the Nkuringo community is truly benefiting from the gorillas now. - Paul Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:30:03 +0100 http://www.independent.co.ug/supplement/111-23rd-nrm-anniversary-/548-clouds-mountain-gorilla-lodge-wins-investment-award#comment-12968 Nice story about the cloud Mountain Gorilla lodge. I suggest thet this project should be replicated in other protected areas to increase community incentive for supporting conservation of our wildlife. UWA well done. - Tumusiime Boaz Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:17:51 +0100