UGANDAN EMERGES SECOND BEST BIRDER IN THE WORLD

  

The difference that lies between bird aficionados and novices is their ability to identify different bird species. While birds may exist almost everywhere in the world but if you asked yourself how many you can identify, perhaps none. To identify these incredible creatures, you need to be a genius. Very few people are gifted with that ability to identify these fascinating creatures but with great honor, our sincere thanks go to ‘Ashley Brian’-a Ugandan national and secretary Uganda Bird Guides Club who featured in the second position in the Inter Continental Birding competition that took place in Singapore recently. About 78 countries across the world were attracted to be part of this event. The competition mainly aimed at testing birders on various bird species globally where Costa Rica featured on the top list and the Papua New Guinea in the third position and Uganda in the second position. On the other hand, Malawi emerged the fourth and Russia the fifth.

Upon his return, Ashley added that the competition involved identifying different species of birds using their sound, family and appearances. However, some of the birds were new and never been spotted in Uganda but the interesting part of it is that he managed to identify them using their various bird families. The advantage he had was that Uganda is a true paradise of birds and because of this diversity, he was able to identify most of them. Amazingly, he was awarded a silver medal, full set of kits used in birding tours and some money. He further added that the challenge with Uganda’s bird species today is that they are getting extinct due to habitat loss.

John Kamugisha-one of the bird guides under the Birdlife International and American Bird Association also challenged the Ministry of Tourism to ensure that birding is promoted by training more tour guides within the sector. He further added that there is need to market birding outside border areas. Birds are generally a few most fascinating creatures on earth. Their power to inspire, excite and amaze is what brings together different people within and across border areas. Uganda alone offers refuge to more than 1080 distinct avifaunal species with 10% of all those that exist in the whole world and 50% of which are Africa’s birds.

Birding in Uganda

There are many birding sites for you to sight variety of bird species while you are on safari in Uganda and they include the 10 national parks. Each national park features rare species which rewards you with the most fascinating bird sightings. Uganda’s stunning protected areas for you to sight some of these world’s most fascinating creatures include Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, Mount Rwenzori National Park, Semuliki Valley National Park as well as several forested areas, botanical gardens in Entebbe, wetlands, swamps, Lakes, wildlife reserves a mention but a few.

Birds in Uganda

The notable birds for you to spot out in Uganda include African green broadbill, shoebill stork, green breasted pitta, the Great Blue Turaco, Shelley’s crimson wing, short tailed warblers, standard winged nightjar, Doherty’s bush shrike, bar tailed trogon, black breasted barbet, pelicans, fish eagles and other.

The 24 year old Ashley Brian featured as the 2^nd best out of the 78 participants in the Intercontinental Birding Competition for Youths in Singapore. This took about 2 weeks and mainly targeted youths between 17 and 26 years. The event was organized by the Singapore Tourism Board and 3 birding sites were considered-Jurong Bird Park, West Coast Park and Sungei Buloh. Rodriguez from Costa Rica then featured as the winner in this competition followed by Ashley Brian of Uganda, the 3^rd person came from Papua Guinea. This world event attracted about 10 (ten) countries in Africa and they include Zimbabwe, Egypt, Liberia, Madagascar, Tanzania and others with the main focus on bird family identification in the world, continental avifaunal species, aviary terms, assessment on migratory birds, bird quiz as well as presentation on aviary. 

NEW ERA AS UGANDA OPENS A HIGH TECH ICONIC CABLE BRIDGE

In the modern world today, technology has taken lead in modernizing countries but to most African states, modernity still features as a big challenge despite this fact. Majority of people still think that modernization is only for the developed countries perhaps a reason most of lag behind. But this time round, it is great news worth embracing in East Africa as a new iconic cable stay bridge is finally opened up over the mighty River Nile. This long awaited landmark was officially opened by H.E. Yoweri Museveni and Mr. Masahisa Sato-the State Foreign Affairs Minister of Japan. The iconic cable stay bridge is expected to last for about 120 years and this new development features as the second entry point to Kampala capital city especially as you come from the east hence creating a reliable link to the south, northern, western parts of this magical country via its vibrant capital.

DAY VIEW OF CABLE BRIDGE IN UGANDA

Its construction work was entirely bankrolled by Japan government at Shs313 of the overpass that offers a safer crossing to substitute the old Owen Falls Dam Bridge approximately 500 meters north. Jinja alone through this bridge features as one of Uganda’s busiest commercial towns and ideal import-export route for the country via Kenya and due to this, it offers the economic lifeline the fact that this is a landlocked country. Out of about 800 employees, approximately 9 of every 10 were Ugandans and they had ever constructed the infrastructure for more than 4 years. About 50 engineering students equally attained hands on skills as industrial trainees in this project which employed engineers, crushers, laborers, expatriates from different parts of the country. Quality assurance and control was rigorously conducted and construction materials fully tested with state of art equipment within and abroad in Singapore and Japan hence making it an incredible piece of engineering.

NIGHT VIEW

 The bridge was erected by Zenitaka Corporation in Japan and Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company from South Korea. This bridge is now called The Source of the Nile Bridge and it is suspended over the River Nile and this doesn’t affect its flow out of Lake Victoria. The splendid beauty of the concrete and steel structure is 72 harp like white cables connecting the bridge deck to two 69 meter tall inverted Y pylon towers. Besides, there are also about 202 light emitting (LED) bulbs at the base of the cables and they feature a meridian of the deck which light up the 72 stay cables. The stay cable hold and hang the girder and offer support for humans and vehicle traffic weight. It is highly protected from lightning with lightning arrestors that run form the deck to every tip of the inverted Y pylon towers.

Generally, this new development is one of a kind and adds on the list of unique tourism products at the Source of the Nile. This area alone boasts of many breathtaking adventure experiences and if you are looking for that most thrilling experience then Jinja should be a must to include in your bucket list. Jinja is a renowned adrenaline adventure capital of East Africa and while on Uganda safari in this area, you get opportunity to engage in adventures like bungee jumping, kayaking, boat cruise, white water rafting, birding, canoeing, sunset cruise, visit the source of the Nile itself, mountain biking, quad biking, horseback riding around the nearby local communities to experience the real African setting in different communities. Jinja is approximately 1-2 hours’ drive or more from Kampala city center but this depends on the jump and stopovers.

In conclusion, the newly constructed cable bridge at the source of the mighty Nile is a unique tourism product of its own given its strategic location and unique piece of art.