The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has signed three major concession agreements with private investors in a move to elevate Uganda’s tourism sector.
The agreements, valued at $28.5 million, aim to develop and manage high-end tourism infrastructure in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Kidepo Valley national parks.
The signing ceremony, held at Protea Hotel in Kampala, was presided over by the Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka.
“This is a strong signal that Uganda is open and ready for tourism products, generate revenue for conservation, and create meaningful jobs for responsible investment in tourism. These projects will improve the quality of our people”, he said.
Professor James Kalema, Chairman of the UWA Board of Trustees, signed on behalf of UWA, while investor representatives Epic Kagoro, Patricia Akakunda, and Paul Zhang Zhigang represented Kagobed Holdings, Russell Hall Ltd, and Tian Tang Group, respectively.
The three investors have committed to fulfilling all concession requirements and pledged to have the facilities operational within two to five years.
UWA Executive Director Sam Mwandha reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to
and will be closely monitored to ensure they deliver value to both wildlife protection balancing conservation and development.
“We are deliberate about choosing partners who align with our conservation goals. These investments were rigorously reviewed and the national economy”, he said.
The projects are expected to improve the quality of Uganda’s tourism products, generate revenue for conservation, and create meaningful jobs for local communities.
Concession Projects:
- Kagobed Holdings Ltd: Will redevelop and operate Jacana Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park under the Serena Hotels brand, with an investment of $7 million.
- Tian Tang Group: Will develop a Glass Bridge and a 50-seater restaurant at the Top of the Falls in Murchison Falls National Park, with an investment of $20 million.
- Russell Hall Ltd: Will construct a $1.5 million luxury lodge in Kidepo Valley National Park, managed in partnership with the French hotel brand TUI Blue.
These investments mark a significant milestone in UWA’s strategic vision to attract quality investment, improve tourism infrastructure, and promote Uganda as a premier eco-tourism destination in Africa.
