OVER 230 ISRAEL TOURISTS JET INTO UGANDA FOR TOURISM EXCURSION

Uganda is remarkably a country with exceptional hospitality and very warm welcoming people. A country whose doors are ever open to its travelers to realize their dreams! Where else in Africa can you find all that this magical continent has to offer to the world if not only in Uganda-the true pearl of Africa? Just as a new month has set in, over 230 tourists from Israel have jetted into this spectacular to explore its wonders. The group embarked on a direct flight and landed at the Entebbe Airport on 13^th February. They were however cleared by the security and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) prior checking into their respective hotels. They intend to explore Uganda’s varied tourist sites till 16^th February 2019

The outgoing Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Tourism Board Mr. Stephen Asiimwe added that this never came from the blues or due to controversial ‘Miss Curvy Uganda” beauty contest but rather after a long time engagement with Israel that resulted in this amazing visit. He further said that the chartered plane jetted into the pearl of Africa in the afternoon (1pm) with approximately 250 tourists from Tel Aviv-the capital city of Israel who are intend to explore the country’s diverse touristic sites. Uganda Tourism Board has been and still marketing the country outside that includes Israel.

The first tourist site for them to pay a visit is the old building at the old airport that during the reign of Idi Amin was raided by Israeli commandos in a rescue mission after the plane was hijacked and the Israeli passengers taken hostage. They will also pay a visit to various national park where they take part in different safari activities as well as the Jewish community in Mbale, the scenic source of River Nile in Jinja and many cultural sites different parts of the country. Their visit also comes at a time when the Minister of Tourism Pro. Ephraim Kamuntu is heading the contingent from Uganda Tourism Board and many other private sector players in Tel Aviv to engage in the International Mediterranean Tourism Market. Tel Aviv Yafo Israel comprises of a population of over 8 million people with GDP of about $400 billion and per capita income of over $40000 which makes it an ideal tourism market for a country like Uganda to tap into.

Uganda is one of Africa’s most endowed safari destinations with 10 national parks where most of its diverse wildlife species are inhabited. They include Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park where the rare mountain gorillas are inhabited, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Semuliki Valley National Park, Mount Elgon National Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Besides mountain gorillas, other wildlife species that Uganda boasts of include elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions, the rare tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, over 1080 bird species and many others.

BISHOP HANNINGTON SHRINE

This shrine is situated within Kyando village, about 20 kilometers off Mayuge district, 30 kilometers off Jinja and straddles within 220 acre land. It is here that Bishop James Hannington and 48 of his African helpers were murdered on 29^th October 1885. Each year, Christians from Busoga diocese pay pilgrimage to this site on 29^th October. This memorial site is said to be the spot of the first and largest Christian martyrdom in Uganda and today it is remarkably another most significant tourist site within Busoga sub-region. It is here where the first missionaries paid a visit to Uganda from Britain but unfortunately, he was killed in cold blood. His death was prompted by longtime suspicion and prophesies that Kabaka Mwanga’s rule could be overthrown by people coming from the east. At a time when Bishop Hannington and his helpers entered Busoga under Chief Lube-one of Kabaka’s collaborators, a message reached Mwanga who due to panic quickly ordered for the elimination of the invading strangers. The Kabaka had fear that Christianity was growing fast among his subjects and to him, was a huge threat to his rule. To get to this site, there are signposts to direct you.

Today, there is a stone to mark and remember the point that Bishop was killed. It is protected with an iron sheet hut shaped shelter that is situated downhill at the end of the road which leads to the rocky Kyando hill where the bishop did most of his activities prior his murder. While at this shrine, you will have a chance to learn more about Bishop Hannington and his men. There are marked spots and rocks which are believed to have been of great value to bishop. The center piece that is an enclosed stone is found downhill and marks a spot or shrine where this bishop was tortured and killed. There are also other spots which mark various activities that the bishop did and rocks on Kyando hill there is a cave that is said to be bishop’s bedroom. Across from the bedroom, there is a painted rock that said to have been a spot where Bishop used to preach from. There is also a pulpit and this was a library that is believed that the bishop read from.

It is estimated to generate about shs.500 million each year from religious tourism. The project was initiated by local government together with church and liaised with speaker Rebecca Kadaga

Its existence is no longer the issue for Mayuge but a national issue. The site is believed to impact positively on the tourism sector of this region. Most visitors come to spend a night here and the next day, they wish to explore incredible tourist sites and the islands have been the order of the day. Interestingly, government has also been trying to mainstream religious tourism by identifying all sites which have something unique for visitors to explore.

Where to stay while on safari at Bishop Hannington shrine

There has been a big challenge especially when it comes to where visitors can spend a night but this has been solved by 2 billion facility known as Century Hannington Resort Cottages.

In conclusion, if your dream has always been to explore what nature holds in Busoga region then a visit to Kyando hill should be a must for you. This area comes with breathtaking views over the Busoga’s green belt and they serve as a proof that your exploration despite the hurdles wasn’t in vain. This site isn’t best for leisure but also for you to find spiritual healing.

CAN I SMOKE IN A HIRE CAR

Whereas the rate at which people do smoke has considerably reduced for the past years, more than a billion smokers still exist globally. Because of this, there is need for one to first understand which policies do govern car rentals especially when it comes to smoking. That said, each car rental company has its own policies that anyone who hires a car must observe. Car Hire Companies usually do exactly what you think-they hire out a vehicle to people who are in need of them and they come at a fee that is also determined by several policies and restrictions together with differing levels of the quality of the vehicle that are rated by economy, standard, intermediate and luxury. 

Note all car hire are deemed smoke free zones and your car hire terms and conditions always state that no one is allowed to smoke in a care hire. Meaning, unless the local legislation states otherwise, you won’t be breaching any laws by lighting up in a car hire. However, what you will be doing is mainly exposing yourself to a potentially huge cleaning bill from the car rental company you will be dealing with and that is why we advise you never to smoke in a car hire.

In case of breach of stipulated terms and you smoke inside the car hire, this won’t only expose you to excess cleaning charges by also cause damage the care either from a cigarette burn or worse of it cause accident and this may render your insurance invalidated for using the vehicle outside what the terms and conditions state hence exposing you to a repair bill that perhaps you never prepared for.

Equally, the same policy applies to e-cigarettes or alternatively make a stopover and do it outside. Despite the fact that e-cigarettes usually never emit the same smoke or lasting smell on car fabrics which could leave you in serious problems, smoking in a car rental-e-cigarette can still lead you to unplanned charges or rather unnecessary distraction.

Another important question that many people usually do ask is whether it is illegal to smoke while driving. Technically, it is illegal for you to do and worse still if you did it while on road trip where discarding the cigarette butts out of the widow can easily cause wild fires especially during the dry season. The fact that no car hire company in Uganda allows smoking in their cars, breaking such a significant term means a huge charge to you goes into place as smoke can get just about anywhere. Usually, a car hire agency is in position to know if you did smoke in a car based on off of a sniff test. So in case there is a smell of smoke in the car, this becomes an indicator while others may check for cigarette butts or ashes and once found, you are liable for a charge. In case you need to clean a car rental that has been smoked, alternatively, you will need some labor with a bottle of vinegar/Windex together with ozium and a vacuum.

The other policies that are in line with car hire include a security deposit and in most cases, every car hire company has its mode of payment; others may require you to drop off at a certain point on the premise in that the vehicle can be cross checked by an associate whereas others may require you to park in the designated spot, remove your property and then you turn the key in. On the other hand, persons above 21 years are usually eligible to hire a car but this varies from country to country as others allow even those at 18 years and above. Besides, you need a valid government ID which is not expired to hire a car and your ID should have your photo and must valid for specified car hire period. Generally, for those of you who are thinking of smoking in car hire, our advice is that simply do not do it! To avoid related charges that come because of smoking in a car rental, is perhaps do it elsewhere.