ELECTRICITY SHORTAGE EXPOSES POOR STATE OF PLANNING

As the East African region continues to suffer from unacceptable and entirely avoidable power cuts business and civil society leaders are ganging up against power companies and government oversight bodies and ministries, demanding answers why such outages should hit the region with a regularity, stemming from negligence and lack of planning. While Rwanda seems to manage their power shortages in the best possible fashion, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have again fallen victim to wide spread ‘load shedding’ a word creation by the electricity companies to explain away their failures.There is light on the horizon only in Uganda, where the IPS promoted Bujagali Energy will start producing at the very latest by early November, starting with 50 MW and progressively moving to 250 MW by April 2012.

That will allow the country to phase out expensive diesel powered thermal plants, for which contractual subsidies must be paid by government, a crippling burden considering the cost of fuel right now. Still, having no power is more expensive in the long run as industrialists are now vocally protesting against electricity rationing with some threatening to move their businesses to a country where power is assured around the clock and not subject on / off / on / off schedules.
In Tanzania the problem has been gradually worsening in recent months, are frequently referred to in articles here, but again is attributed to the lack of preventive and scheduled maintenance of power plants, causing breakdowns of equipment and, as recently during a major football cup match, power cuts extending across the entire country.

Even in Kenya were warnings sounded earlier in the week that the country should brace for ‘load shedding’, but the gentle words cannot mask the fact that extended parts of Nairobi and other cities and towns will begin to sit in darkness from tomorrow onwards, as here too hydro generating capacity has suffered from the drought while thermal plants are not operating at full capacity again due to the current cost of fuels.Kenya presently has 650 MW of wind power under development in two approved plants in the Turkana area and is hastening, belatedly it must be said, the exploration for geothermal power sources, where in particular in the Menengai crater area of Nakuru drilling is ongoing and added generation, on a 10MW at a time feed, is being pursued.

However, the crucial words are belated and unprepared, as power distributors and power producers were long aware of medium term weather and rain forecasts and had experience from their colleagues in the region of breakdowns of equipment caused by lack of maintenance, or shutdown of thermal plants due to lack of fuel. For sure one thing across the region is a constant, that in times of economic hardship governments and regulators better not mess with the private sector, which is the only source able to improve the immediate outlook and that is exactly what is being done right now. ‘Lack of electricity has shot back to the top of the business associations agendas in all of East Africa. But that is being chased by demands from business leaders for more prudent spending of our tax money, cutting out waste in government and bringing corruption under control. When business confidence suffers as it does right now, governments cannot ignore justifiable demands by the business community and think it will not be forgotten. If the business community turns their support and allegiance away from government, how can they sustain themselves beyond the next elections? We are tired of hearing their songs about private sector being the engine of growth and yet they starve that very engine of fuel. Let them know they are being closely watched’ said one leading association head in Kampala to this correspondent, serving notice of discontent on behalf of his membership.

Meanwhile though the region is struggling to continue live as ‘normal’ albeit without power every second night in Uganda and more irregular power cuts in Kenya and Tanzania. Businesses and those domestic households which can afford the expense are also investing where possible in solar panels and inverter systems or else pay through the proverbial nose for diesel or petrol to power their inhouse generators.

Beauty and Hand

UGANDA WILDLIFE EDUCATION CENTER (UWEC)

The Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC) was opened in 1952 by the colonial government as a reception center for wild animals that were found as casualties (sick, injured, orphaned or/and confiscated from illegal trade).

In the early 1960s, it changed its role to a traditional zoo and became commonly known as Entebbe Zoo, in which even non-indigenous species like bears and tigers were kept as an attraction.

UWEC is one of the most respected conservation education institutions in Africa and beyond for successfully carrying out its mandates to educate Ugandans on the importance of conserving the country’s biodiversity, to rescue and rehabilitate injured, orphaned and/or confiscated wildlife and to breed endangered wildlife species in captivity with an aim of re-introducing them back in the wild.

UWEC is now recognized as a true success story and model institution for others to follow.

Animals

UWEC boasts of a wide variety of wildlife species in the Mammal, Reptile, Bird and Primate Sections. Most of the animals that come to UWEC have been rescued from either smugglers, poachers or the community at large.

Some are released back into the wild after a successful rehabilitation period but many are given a new home for education purposes or due to loss of habitat in the wild which reduces their chances of survival.

Birds

Ostriches:Scientific Name: Struthio camelus

There is currently five ostriches: three males (Opolot, Kamya, John)  and two female ones (not named at the moment). Opolot is named after the head bird keeper.

 The ostriches can be viewed at the Kidepo Savanna on the southern side with access via the beach.

Fed daily on a nutritious diet of chopped kale (leafy green vegetable), growers mash (commercially processed diet) and fresh fish.

General Species Information

Traits: Ostriches are the largest flightless bird in the world. Their head and neck are mainly bare with some fluffy feathers. They have a short beak with has a rounded tip, well suited for plucking vegetation. They have large eyes with long eyelashes. The body is covered with long, soft plumage.

The males have black and white plumes, while the females are a duller greyish-brown colour. Their thighs are quite bare and muscular, adapted for fast running and used to kick when threatened by predators or used in fighting. They have two toes, with the inner toe larger and stiffer than the outer. Ostriches live up to 14 years in the wild.

Habitat: They prefer open plains that have short grasses and semi-arid regions and deserts with annual grasses. They do not like grasslands where the grasses reach over one metre or forested areas.

They live in open woodlands and in thick thorn bushes.

They are not dependent on water, so can live in areas that are mostly or entirely without water.

However, where water is available they drink frequently.

Food and Feeding Habits: They prefer herbs and grasses, flowers, seeds and seed pods and many other plants parts that are not eaten by most other animals.

They eat locusts and grasshoppers when they are available, but they are not dependent on them for protein.

Status and conservation issues: Live in harsh and open habitats

These birds are successfully bred in captivity, however, in many areas where they are not commercially farmed, they are still poached from the wild for feathers, skin or eggs.

Crested Crane:

The Crested Crane is a symbol of Uganda. It is one of the most beautiful birds you can find in East Africa. Together with the Uganda Kob, (an antelope) the crane appears on the Uganda Court of arms. Our four cranes live together with a small herd of Uganda Kobs in a wide-open savannah exhibit.

They were all hand-reared by villagers in Northern Uganda except one which was about to be slaughtered by a person of unstable mind. They live a very natural life on the exhibit, feeding on grass, seeds and insects. They are very social birds, always staying together.

GENERAL SPECIES INFORMATION

Traits: Crown crane is a tall, most colourful stately terrestrial bird you can find in Africa. It is slate-grey with white, black and chestnut wings. Immature bird is brownish with broad pale edgings to feathers. It can live for about 10 to 15 years.

Habitat: It inhabits open country, dry cultivated land and pastures. It has a preference for marshes, wet grasslands and swamps.

Distribution: It is a local resident, and common in Kenya and Uganda, southwards to central Africa.

Food and feeding habits: Crown crane is mainly a vegetarian, but may also eat frogs and other small animals.

Cultural notes: The Crown crane is the national symbol of Uganda and it appears in the national flag. Together with the Uganda Kob, the crane also appears on the Uganda court of arms.

African grey parrot;

They are considered to be related to pigeon. Their bills are short, stout and strongly hooked. The upper mandible is hinged and is used in climbing. The African Grey Parrot is one of the most trafficked birds in Uganda and the Center receives many of them. UWEC has recently constructed a new parrot aviary to get a new comfortable home.

Habitat: It inhabits primary and secondary lowland rain forests, forest edges and clearings, gallery forests and other wooded riverine habitats, mangroves, oil palm plantations, gardens, wooded Savannah, cultivated land and montane forests.

Distribution: African Grey parrot is widely distributed in Sierra Leone, South Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, western Uganda, around L. Victoria, western Kenya round Nandi and Kakamega) and north-west Tanzania, mainly in lowlands but also up to 2200m in east Africa.

Food and feeding habits: Fruits and seeds, especially of oil palm, are preferred. It eats only outer oily flesh, never the stone. In Gabon locally caught adults refuse all food other than oil palm nuts.

Helmeted Guinea fowl; Scientific Name: Numida meleagrisa

There are about 40 Guinea fowls at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC). Two fowls were brought to UWEC in 1997 by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and these have multiplied over time.

Guinea fowls are fed twice each day at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. They mainly feed on cereals, but they also get insects and worms.

Peacock;

Peacock freely walks and flies around but has never left the Centre. At night, it roosts high in the trees to be safe from any predators. It feeds on frogs, young snakes, insects, and snails. Also a supplement of cereals.

African fish eagle: Scientific Name: Haliaeetus vocifer

Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) has kept three African Fish Eagles in a flight aviary.

The birds are fed on fish, twice everyday which they capture themselves from a pond inside their enclosure.

Shoebill Stork at UWEC

UWEC has three Shoebill storks in its Wetlands Aviary. Shoebill storks are one of the rarest of Uganda’s birds and are facing pressure from encroachment on their wetland habitats. One such habitat is at Mabamba swamp. All the Shoebill storks at UWEC were rescued from the public.

Egyptian Geese at UWEC

UWEC has a number of Egyptian Geese that migrate to the Centre every year. Some have decided to stay on a permanent basis whereas others return every year. The geese enjoy the Centre’s ponds and share food with the rest of animals especially in the Queen Elizabeth Kob Meadow.

The lion  is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg (550 lb) in weight,^[4] it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger.

Facilities

Place for a leisure or educational tour. The centre, which sits on 72 hectares, boasts of over 400 indigenous wild animals,

500 plant/tree species

250 bird species in large natural settings that depict three of Uganda’s major ecosystems: the wetland, the savannah and the forest. In this way,

UWEC is one of the most respected conservation education institutions in Africa and beyond. Its programs are tailored to suit all educational categories, from the play school age to tertiary institutions to local and international researchers.

UWEC offers a holistic experience and ensures that visitors go back home not only entertained but educated enough to move them to respect and conserve the country’s biodiversity for today and future generations.

Mini game drive

There is a mini game drive in one of the electric Golf carts, which takes up to three people seated and two standing.

Conference rooms

Quiet environment at our conference room for; workshops, retreats, short courses, lectures, prayer meetings, etc. The room can accommodate 30 people in a classroom setting but up to 60 people in a theater setting.

Separate shelters and space for mini group discussions and/or active training exercises and Public Address System are also available  

There is LCD projector, Giant TV screen, printer and photocopier are available.

Craft shops

Craft shop which boasts of a wide range of African art and craft at affordable prices.

Canteen

A visit to one of these places to settle the grumblings and thundering in your stomach!

Offers spacious venues for weddings, luncheons, parties, and other ceremonies for up to 2000 guests at the beach overlooking Lake Victoria, at the floating pier or rest gardens within the core area;

Convenient parking space and complimentary night for bride and groom in the case of a wedding.

Campsite

Camping is the art of getting closer to nature. Here you will tell stories, crack jokes, sing lungs out and form strong friendship bonds, all the while listening to the occasional lion’s roar, owl’s hoot, hyena’s laugh and breeze whispering gently to the trees in the still of the night.

A quiet and comfortable facility. The facility has two bedrooms, a kitchen and living room with colored television for visitor’s entertainment, as well as spacious compound and parking space. It’s ideal for both short and long stay whilst in Entebbe, at a very affordable and pocket friendly rate to families and groups.

Hostels

Student facility. This is basic bed with shared outside bathrooms and flashing toilets.

UGANDA WILDLIFE EDUCATION CENTRE (UWEC)

The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) was opened in 1952 by the colonial government as a reception center for wild animals that were found as casualties (sick, injured, orphaned or/and confiscated from illegal trade).

In the early 1960s, it changed its role to a traditional zoo and became commonly known as Entebbe Zoo, in which even non-indigenous species like bears and tigers were kept as an attraction.

UWEC is one of the most respected conservation education institutions in Africa and beyond for successfully carrying out its mandates to educate Ugandans on the importance of conserving the country’s biodiversity, to rescue and rehabilitate injured, orphaned and/or confiscated wildlife and to breed endangered wildlife species in captivity with an aim of re-introducing them back in the wild.

UWEC is now recognized as a true success story and model institution for others to follow.

Animals

UWEC boasts of a wide variety of wildlife species in the Mammal, Reptile, Bird and Primate Sections. Most of the animals that come to UWEC have been rescued from either smugglers, poachers or the community at large.

Some are released back into the wild after a successful rehabilitation period but many are given a new home for education purposes or due to loss of habitat in the wild which reduces their chances of survival.

Birds

ostriches:Scientific Name: Struthio camelus

There is currently five ostriches: three males (Opolot, Kamya, John)  and two female ones (not named at the moment). Opolot is named after the head bird keeper.

 The ostriches can be viewed at the Kidepo Savanna on the southern side with access via the beach.

Fed daily on a nutritious diet of chopped kale (leafy green vegetable), growers mash (commercially processed diet) and fresh fish.

General Species Information

Traits: Ostriches are the largest flightless bird in the world. Their head and neck are mainly bare with some fluffy feathers. They have a short beak with has a rounded tip, well suited for plucking vegetation. They have large eyes with long eyelashes. The body is covered with long, soft plumage.

The males have black and white plumes, while the females are a duller greyish-brown colour. Their thighs are quite bare and muscular, adapted for fast running and used to kick when threatened by predators or used in fighting. They have two toes, with the inner toe larger and stiffer than the outer. Ostriches live up to 14 years in the wild.

Habitat: They prefer open plains that have short grasses and semi-arid regions and deserts with annual grasses. They do not like grasslands where the grasses reach over one metre or forested areas.

They live in open woodlands and in thick thorn bushes.

They are not dependent on water, so can live in areas that are mostly or entirely without water.

However, where water is available they drink frequently.

Food and Feeding Habits: They prefer herbs and grasses, flowers, seeds and seed pods and many other plants parts that are not eaten by most other animals.

They eat locusts and grasshoppers when they are available, but they are not dependent on them for protein.

Status and conservation issues: Live in harsh and open habitats

These birds are successfully bred in captivity, however, in many areas where they are not commercially farmed, they are still poached from the wild for feathers, skin or eggs.

Crested Crane:

The Crested Crane is a symbol of Uganda. It is one of the most beautiful birds you can find in East Africa. Together with the Uganda Kob, (an antelope) the crane appears on the Uganda Court of arms. Our four cranes live together with a small herd of Uganda Kobs in a wide-open savannah exhibit.

They were all hand-reared by villagers in Northern Uganda except one which was about to be slaughtered by a person of unstable mind. They live a very natural life on the exhibit, feeding on grass, seeds and insects. They are very social birds, always staying together.

GENERAL SPECIES INFORMATION

Traits: Crown crane is a tall, most colourful stately terrestrial bird you can find in Africa. It is slate-grey with white, black and chestnut wings. Immature bird is brownish with broad pale edgings to feathers. It can live for about 10 to 15 years.

Habitat: It inhabits open country, dry cultivated land and pastures. It has a preference for marshes, wet grasslands and swamps.

Distribution: It is a local resident, and common in Kenya and Uganda, southwards to central Africa.

Food and feeding habits: Crown crane is mainly a vegetarian, but may also eat frogs and other small animals.

Cultural notes: The Crown crane is the national symbol of Uganda and it appears in the national flag. Together with the Uganda Kob, the crane also appears on the Uganda court of arms.

African grey parrot;

They are considered to be related to pigeon. Their bills are short, stout and strongly hooked. The upper mandible is hinged and is used in climbing. The African Grey Parrot is one of the most trafficked birds in Uganda and the Centre receives many of them. UWEC has recently constructed a new parrot aviary to get a new comfortable home.

Habitat: It inhabits primary and secondary lowland rain forests, forest edges and clearings, gallery forests and other wooded riverine habitats, mangroves, oil palm plantations, gardens, wooded Savannah, cultivated land and montane forests.

Distribution: African Grey parrot is widely distributed in Sierra Leone, South Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, western Uganda, around L. Victoria, western Kenya round Nandi and Kakamega) and north-west Tanzania, mainly in lowlands but also up to 2200m in east Africa.

Food and feeding habits: Fruits and seeds, especially of oil palm, are preferred. It eats only outer oily flesh, never the stone. In Gabon locally caught adults refuse all food other than oil palm nuts.

Helmeted Guinea fowl; Scientific Name: Numida meleagrisa

There are about 40 Guinea fowls at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC). Two fowls were brought to UWEC in 1997 by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and these have multiplied over time.

Guinea fowls are fed twice each day at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. They mainly feed on cereals, but they also get insects and worms.

Peacock;

Peacock freely walks and flies around but has never left the Centre. At night, it roosts high in the trees to be safe from any predators. It feeds on frogs, young snakes, insects, and snails. Also a supplement of cereals.

African fish eagle: Scientific Name: Haliaeetus vocifer

Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) has kept three African Fish Eagles in a flight aviary.

The birds are fed on fish, twice everyday which they capture themselves from a pond inside their enclosure.

Shoebill Stork at UWEC

UWEC has three Shoebill storks in its Wetlands Aviary. Shoebill storks are one of the rarest of Uganda’s birds and are facing pressure from encroachment on their wetland habitats. One such habitat is at Mabamba swamp. All the Shoebill storks at UWEC were rescued from the public.

Egyptian Geese at UWEC

UWEC has a number of Egyptian Geese that migrate to the Centre every year. Some have decided to stay on a permanent basis whereas others return every year. The geese enjoy the Centre’s ponds and share food with the rest of animals especially in the Queen Elizabeth Kob Meadow.

 

The lion  is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg (550 lb) in weight,^[4] it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger.

Facilities

Place for a leisure or educational tour. The centre, which sits on 72 hectares, boasts of over 400 indigenous wild animals,

500 plant/tree species

250 bird species in large natural settings that depict three of Uganda’s major ecosystems: the wetland, the savannah and the forest. In this way,

UWEC is one of the most respected conservation education institutions in Africa and beyond. Its programs are tailored to suit all educational categories, from the play school age to tertiary institutions to local and international researchers.

UWEC offers a holistic experience and ensures that visitors go back home not only entertained but educated enough to move them to respect and conserve the country’s biodiversity for today and future generations.

Mini game drive

There is a mini game drive in one of the electric Golf carts, which takes up to three people seated and two standing.

Conference rooms

Quiet environment at our conference room for; workshops, retreats, short courses, lectures, prayer meetings, etc. The room can accommodate 30 people in a classroom setting but up to 60 people in a theater setting.

Separate shelters and space for mini group discussions and/or active training exercises and Public Address System are also available  

There is LCD projector, Giant TV screen, printer and photocopier are available.

Craft shops

Craft shop which boasts of a wide range of African art and craft at affordable prices.

Canteen

A visit to one of these places to settle the grumblings and thundering in your stomach!

Offers spacious venues for weddings, luncheons, parties, and other ceremonies for up to 2000 guests at the beach overlooking Lake Victoria, at the floating pier or rest gardens within the core area;

Convenient parking space and complimentary night for bride and groom in the case of a wedding.

Campsite

Camping is the art of getting closer to nature. Here you will tell stories, crack jokes, sing lungs out and form strong friendship bonds, all the while listening to the occasional lion’s roar, owl’s hoot, hyena’s laugh and breeze whispering gently to the trees in the still of the night.

A quiet and comfortable facility. The facility has two bedrooms, a kitchen and living room with colored television for visitor’s entertainment, as well as spacious compound and parking space. It’s ideal for both short and long stay whilst in Entebbe, at a very affordable and pocket friendly rate to families and groups.

Hostels

Student facility. This is basic bed with shared outside bathrooms and flashing toilets.

Feeding Time

CULTURAL TOURISM IN BUGANDA

 CULTURE IN BUGANDA KINGDOM
Find out about Uganda with liberty tours and safaris LTD a Safari and event organizing Company based in the heart of Africa in Kampala the capital city of Uganda offering among others passport processing, industrial training, research projects, voluntary activities, city drives,  Mountain Gorillas tracking safaris in Uganda , Trekking Safaris in Bwindi & Mgahinga Forests ,chimpanzee trekking tours, primate adventures, forest walks, bird watching tours, Mountain trekking and climbing in Rwenzori and Mt Elgon, sport fishing, River Nile white water rafting, Bungee jumping , cultural activities, wildlife safaris, hotel Bookings and airport shuttle transfers from Entebbe, primate safaris.

BUGANDA CULTURAL TOUR UGANDA CENTRAL REGION

DAY ONE

You will be picked up from your overnight accommodation in Kampala and transferred to the Prison Ditch at Kitereke where Kabaka (King) Kalema imprisoned all his brothers who were competing for the throne and killed a number of them. After enjoying a Kiganda dance from a local cultural group, proceed to the Naggalabi Budo, the coronation place for the King of Buganda. Thereafter, transfer past the Kabaka’s lake at Rubaga and continue to Bulange Mengo – the seat of Buganda’s parliament. Enjoy lunch at the Namirembe Guest House with a panoramic view of Kampala city. Later in the afternoon, visit the Kasubi tombs (Muzibu azaala Mpanga), the burial ground for Buganda’s kings. Dinner and overnight at either College inn Wandegeya or Makerere University guest house.

 DAY TWO

After breakfast, transfer to Namugongo Martyrs’ shrine, where the first Christian martyrs were slain by the then king of Buganda. Thereafter, transfer to the Sezibwa Falls; a spiritual place where the Buganda kings get powers, etc. Take pictures at the spectacular falls as a local guide narrates interesting legends about the place. After a picnic lunch, visit the Kalagala Falls and drive back to Kampala. Dinner and overnight at College inn Wandegeya or Makerere University guest house.

 DAY THREE

Transfer to the craft village on Buganda Road or National Theatre and shop for some traditional souvenirs before final transfer to airport for your outbound flight.

Price per person sharing a double room: USD370 in a group of four

Includes: Entry fees, accommodation, meals, bottled mineral water and ground transportation in a 4x4 Safari vehicle with an English-speaking driver guide.

Excludes: beverages (wines, spirits, etc), tips and other expenses of a personal nature e.g. phone calls.