CAN RAFTING SURVIVE IN UGANDA – AN INDUSTRY ON KNIFE’S EDGE
(Posted 20th September 2014)
A petition will be presented to the Ugandan Parliament on Monday, signed by some 15.000 individuals, drawing the attention of the lawmakers to the stark facts surrounding the proposed Isimba Hydro Electric Power Plant. As previously explained here, the adventure segment of Uganda’s tourism industry has grown in leaps and bounds over the past 20 years and today is a major revenue stream besides nature and wildlife based tourism. Thousands of jobs were created from Jinja down the upper Nile valley, all relying on white water rafting and the magnetic pull this activity has for thrill seekers from around the world, who come to Uganda to raft the wild white waters of the Nile and, while on site, also do horseback riding, quad biking, bungee jumping and cross country cycling, to name but a few of the additional activities which have emerged over the years.
Should, as it feared, the Ugandan government opt for the maximum dam height version for the Isimba power plant, rafting as we know it today would be dead and a major revenue stream lost, leading to jobs being axed and investors losing their livelihood.
Uganda rose to prominence in recent years when such publication as Lonely Planet and National Geographic named the country as one of Africa’s great destinations, in part because the range of tourism activities is so varied and, besides the best known, gorilla tracking, so many other options exist today for tourist visitors to enjoy a holiday to the Pearl of Africa.
The Speaker of Parliament, the Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, is in fact from the wider Jinja area and knows fully well, what is at stake should the dam go up to the maximum, impacting on the economic performance of Jinja and when she receives the petition on Monday, she will no doubt bear in mind the future of her own constituents. Fodder for thought among the powers that be, more so as additional power generating options have of late been proposed, including a new hydroelectric plant further down the river near the Karuma Falls, which could generate as much as 600 MW and reduce the need for Isimba to be at maximum level.
That said, and as outlined in the petition and attached letter, is the reputation of Uganda at stake as a binding commitment was made by government when securing World Bank finance for the Bujagali plant, that this section of the river, together with the Mabira Forest, will be kept intact as offset measures to mitigate the negative impact of Bujagali, which has become only too apparent in recent times too.
Start quote:
HELP PROTECT THE ‘SOURCE OF THE RIVER NILE’ AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT DEPEND ON IT.
We are urging the Ugandan government to downsize the Isimba Dam Hydro Power Project on the Nile in Uganda in order to honour Uganda’s international agreements, help Uganda’s continued long-term development, and protect the River Nile.
Three levels have been proposed for the height of Isimba Dam. The highest level of the dam, and its associated reservoir will:
· 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 many thousands of Ugandan’s through well-paid jobs in tourism.
· violate a conservation agreement between the Ugandan Government and the World Bank that was put in place to protect this precious section of river that is part of every Ugandan’s heritage.
We believe the smaller alternative to be the better balance for Uganda’s future. The lowest version of the Isimba Dam will:
- still generate a substantial amount of electrical power to supplement Uganda’s requirements and will cost less to build.
- not affect the Conservation Area.
- have negligible effect on a unique and beautiful section of whitewater, that offers so much to Uganda as a tourism resource and can be developed for future generations.
- minimize the negative effects on water quality and human health.
- greatly reduce the number of people who would be displaced and the environmental impact by keeping the reservoir largely inside the river banks.
Please sign and widely promote the petition and help conserve the source of the longest river in the world, as well as the communities that live around it.
We call on the Government of Uganda to fully assess all environmental, social and economic impacts of Isimba Dam HPP Alt 1055 and downsize the level of the dam to Alt3: 1043. We are not opposed to the construction of Isimba Dam per se and recognise the importance of sufficient power supply in Uganda, but the smaller option (Alt3: 1043) would:
- still generate significant electricity and help Uganda’s continued long-term development
· greatly reduce the number of people who would be displaced and the environmental impact by keeping the reservoir largely inside the river banks.
· minimize the negative effects on water quality and human health.
· have a negligible impact on tourism and the livelihoods of the people who depend on it
· honour Uganda’s international agreements by not encroaching on the Kalagala Offset.
