UGANDA SUSPENDS PRIMATE TOURISM AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN ITS PROTECTED AREAS.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 and confirmed cases, Uganda through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has suspended primate tourism and research activities in the protected areas to help contain the COVID-19. The management of UWA has therefore assessed the present situation at hand and has listed some of the key measures to assist safeguard the country’s wildlife heritage and they include among others;

Ø  Primate tourism and research activities across all protected areas have been temporarily suspended till 30^th April 2020.

Ø  Primate filming has been put on hold till 30^th April 2020.

Ø  Trackers will be availed with essential PPE so as to avoid disseminating any likely infections to the primates.

Ø  Commercial motorcycles including boda boda and bicycles are not allowed in protected areas.

Ø  An internal COVID-19 task force has been formed to work closely with the National Task Force and update as well as guide management on daily developments in the containment of the spread of COVID-19 and its implications to wildlife conservation and tourism in the conservation areas.

Ø  The management has also relaxed rescheduling of gorilla and chimpanzee tracking. Tour operators/agents are free to reschedule tracking permits for a maximum of 2 times till 30^th March 2022. This applies to even tour operators who reserved with 30 percent down payment. The move is aimed at offering tour operators and visitors more flexibility to avoid cancellation of tours which have already been reserved.

Ø  All staff have been advised to be vigilant, wash hands thoroughly with soap or alcohol based solutions, keep social distance to limit spread or contracting COVID-19.