USAID-funded “Sustainable Tourism in the Albertine Region” Project Improves Wildlife Tourism and Increases Household Income in the Region.

On November 9, 2012, the U.S. Mission to Uganda, and the  Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) marked a major success in increasing tourism and wildlife conservation in the Lake Albert Region of Uganda, with the conclusion of the three-year, USAID-funded ”Sustainable Tourism in the Albertine Rift” (USAID-STAR) project. According to the final project report, which was released today at the U.S. Mission in Kampala, the program achieved its goals of improving tourism, creating business linkages, enhancing awareness of conservation, and contributing to increased household income in the region.

Some of the major results of the program in targeted communities included: a 60% average increase in tourism revenues to the UWA; a  27% average increase in household income; an approximately 35% reduction in the number of people living in severe poverty; and an over 20% increase in the number of people whose incomes rose above the poverty line. In addition, over 148,000 hectares of land important to conservation of Uganda’s rich natural heritage are now under improved management; park infrastructure has been enhanced; new tourism opportunities have been designed; and the job skills of UWA staff and other partners have been improved. The project also supported the UWA to increase tourist visits to Queen Elizabeth National Park by 16%, and created other models for using tourism to support conservation efforts throughout Uganda.

The project accomplished these goals by: assisting Ugandan community-based organizations to transform themselves into sustainable businesses; working with Uganda Government institutions to enhance their ability to support tourism and conservation; and encouraging local lodges and tour operators to support and market businesses based in local communities;. The first phase of the project ran from August 2009 to July 2011, and the second from August 2011 to August 2012. The program focused on local and national-level activities for the Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori and Mgahinga National Parks.

USAID works to accelerate Uganda’s economic development by fostering private and public investment in key growth sectors such as tourism. Under its current (2011-2015) Country Development Cooperation Strategy, USAID aims to reduce poverty and hunger, and to support sustainable use of Uganda’s natural resources. The economic growth program focuses on improving management of Uganda’s rich biodiversity through the promotion of ecotourism, and through the mitigation of the negative environmental impacts of oil exploration and production.

For additional information, please contact:

Richard Sennoga

Development Outreach and Communications Specialist

Tel: +256 414 306 001 Ext. 6709

Email: rsennoga@usaid.gov