A guest post on the occasion of the International Day of Action for Rivers, aimed to save Adventure Tourism in Uganda in its present format – a worthwhile read and a cause which needs supporting!
It is presently not just the struggle Uganda’s tourism has to convince the world that the recently passed so called anti gay and so called ‘anti miniskirt’ legislation – the latter has resulted in dozens of women being assaulted already under the pretext of doing moral right, suggesting the women did moral wrong by wearing their outfits – should not result in decampaigning the destination but there was added another dimension which could threaten the vital adventure tourism segment. To maintain the number one resource of adventure tourism in Uganda, the River Nile, in its present format at the upper Nile valley the proposed height dam of the Isimba dam is under close scrutiny and while the project itself is not only not opposed by the tourism fraternity but in fact supported, the height of the dam is a make or break issue.
Here is the overview, and the link to a petition, for readers to understand the context and extend their support, should they feel that this is a cause worth supporting.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR RIVERS
Every year on this day, March 14, thousands of people around the world lift their voices to celebrate the world’s rivers and those who try to protect them. The International Day of Action for Rivers is a day to appreciate the rivers we have. It is a day to discuss improvements in the policies and practices of decision makers. It is a day to educate one another about the threats facing our rivers, and learn about better water and energy solutions. Above all, it is a day to unite – by acting together.
Uganda is truly gifted with over 20% of its surface area being lakes and rivers, it is home to 10 major lakes including 3 of Africa’s Great Lakes, one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls, Murchison Falls and of course the source of the world’s longest river, the River Nile.
The Source of the Nile is the second biggest tourist destination in Uganda and the ‘Adventure Capital of East Africa’, with an estimated 18,000 foreign visitors per year partaking in whitewater adventure activities on the Nile, comparable to as many visitors who track the gorillas. Today the rapids of the Nile are ranked in the top 10 white water adventure destinations in the world. Because of the geology of the river with its great expanse and many islands, a high adventure raft trip can put in alongside a milder family trip, making it unique amongst other international destinations. White water activities on the Nile are not restricted by seasons or temperatures, the flow is constant and the water is always warm making it available for activities 12 months a year unlike almost any other rivers.
The success of investors in white water activities has, over the years encouraged other investors to utilise the already existing market by offering land based adventure activities, accommodation, voluntourism, arts and crafts and more. With the development of more activities and facilities, more and more people have been drawn to the area and for longer, resulting in more jobs and more revenue.
For the international kayaking community it is the rapids near Jinja, and particularly a wave called ‘Nile Special’ that brings world champions and potential world champions to Uganda each year to train. At the recent 2013 World Freestyle Championships discussions were held regarding Uganda being the host for future championships with the focus of the event being held on Nile Special. At the 2012 London Olympics, Juma Kalikwani, a Ugandan raft guide, was not only the sole representative for Uganda, but also Africa, in the Freestyle Kayaking exhibition.
And all of this has been achieved at no cost to the GoU, by using the River Nile, one of this country’s most important sustainable resources and then giving it back unharmed at the end of each day.
But the future of tourism in Jinja is under threat. In the long term development plan of Uganda’s hydro electric scheme, another three dams will eventually be built on the River Nile, Karuma, Ayago and Isimba. Both Karuma and Ayago are projected to produce 600MW, however it is the proposed 180MW Isimba Dam, that will have the most impact on not only tourism but also the environment and the people of Uganda.
Three levels have been proposed for the height of Isimba Dam. The highest level of dam, and its associated reservoir will:
· flood 28 km of the Nile
· displace over 2000 Ugandans, who are predominantly subsistence farmers.
· deteriorate water quality and increase water-borne diseases for hundreds of thousands of Ugandans living around the project area and downstream, who rely on the Nile for drinking and washing.
· flood a unique, world famous section of whitewater. Year after year the white water attracts people from all over the world and the income associated with these visitors helps to support thousands of Ugandan’s through well-paid jobs in tourism.
· violate the Kalagala Offset, a conservation agreement entered into in July 2007 between the Ugandan Government and the World Bank that was put in place to address these negative environmental impacts of the construction of Bujagali Dam HPP and protect this precious section of river that is part of every Ugandan’s heritage.
Save Adventure Tourism in Uganda (S.A.T.U.) is a group of citizens and residents who, over the last few months , have been raising awareness about the key issues of Isimba Dam. The support within Uganda and around the world has been overwhelming, with over 14,000 signatures on a petition urging the Government of Uganda to fully assess all environmental, social and economic impacts of Isimba Dam.
S.A.T.U. are not opposed to the construction of Isimba Dam per se and recognise the importance of sufficient power supply in Uganda, but the smaller dam would still create electricity, have a negligible impact on tourism, not encroach on the Kalagala Offset, keep the river almost entirely within its natural banks and honour the international agreement signed by the Government of Uganda.
Your support in this matter is paramount in conserving the source of the longest river in the world.
For more information visit ‘Save adventure tourism in Uganda’ on facebook.
or sign the online version of the petition:
Save Adventure Tourism in Uganda Team
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Adventure Tourism on The Nile