TOURISM

Madrid, Spain | AFP | The UN World Tourism Organization said Monday it has appointed FC Barcelona’s Argentine star Lionel Messi as an ambassador to promote responsible tourism. “During my travels I have had the opportunity to know other cultures and societies as well as other ways to see the …

Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | The Director of Public Prosecutions has ordered for the trial of five people accused of causing the death of a Finnish National at Pearl of Africa Hotel in Nakasero-Kampala, to proceed immediately. Representing the DPP, Viola Tusingiwire informed Buganda road Court Chief Magistrate James Ereemye …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Ambassador Patrick Mugoya has hailed Japan’s cooperation with Uganda, which he says is best shown in Jinja with the partnership building of the magnificent new Jinja bridge. Mugoya, who is the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA),  stressed that resource mobilization, increase of Ugandan content, …

How messages on burning ivory from poached elephants might be missed among those for whom it is intended COMMENT | MATTHEW H. HOLDEN & OTHERS |  The tusks of more than ten thousand elephants went up in flames in Kenya on April 30, 2016 – the world’s largest ever ivory …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  The new chief custodian of wildlife conservation in Uganda Samuel John Mwandha has been urged to focus more on research, gathering and disseminating credible wildlife conservation information. Outgoing Executive Director Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Dr. Andrew Ggunga Seguya on Monday handed over office to Mwandha …

Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Wildlife authorities in Zimbabwe shot dead a large crocodile that strayed into the northern town of Hwange and blocked entry to a hospital, an official said Thursday. The crocodile took up position outside the main gate to St Patrick’s hospital and charged at anyone trying …

Nairobi, Kenya | THE INDEPENDENT & AFP  | Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Dvur Kralove Zoo have announced the death of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino in the world. Sudan was being treated for age-related complications that led to degenerative changes in muscles and bones combined with extensive skin wounds, …

Separating fact from fiction Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | According to official figures, tourism contributed up to US$1.35 billion into Uganda’s export basket in 2016, and was the single highest foreign exchange earner; contributing 23.5% of total exports. Based on those figures, the tourism lobby; which has advocates on …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Parliament has approved government borrowing of up to Sh459 billion from Japanese and European banks meant for the completion of construction of the new bridge across the River Nile. The other loan is meant to finance the Masaka-Mbarara power transmission line. The loans were …

Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | Police with the help of Natural Resource Conservation Network (NRCN) has arrested four people in possession of pangolin scales and hippo teeth in Kasese and Kampala. Ivan Tuhaiirwe and Davis Kateregga were arrested in possession of 50 kilograms of pangolin scales worth Sh7million which they …