Its been twelve years since the fall of the Uganda Airlines in 2001, yet the government of Uganda is planning to revive the national carrier in a move geared at boosting tourism and trade in the country. However, this has attracted mixed reactions.

Formation and collapse
Putting in mind the collapse of the East African Airways in 1976 due to political disputes among the East African Community (EAC) leaders, partner states were forced to start their own national carriers.
Tanzania took a head-start with Air Tanzania. Soon after, Kenya Airways (KQ) and Uganda Airlines started operations in 1977. However, while Air Tanzania and Kenya Airlines have stayed afloat, Uganda Airlines only lasted a few years and by the year 2000, the airline was not self-sustaining due to bankruptcy.

The attempts to privatize the airline to revive its profitability and competitiveness didn’t work out. Initially Air Mauritius, Inter Air, Kenya Airways and Sabena expressed interest but declined to submit bids, leaving only SA Alliance/ SAA by 1999. SAA also lost interest, forcing the Government to liquidate the airlines in 2001.

Actual reasons why the airline collapsed

Experts say the Ugandan governmet is highly accountable for is failure – Government failed to support the airline to develop Entebbe International Airport as its hub, and the sale of its ground handling business to Entebbe Handling Services (Enhas), a company linked to foreign affairs minister, Sam Kutesa, led to its demise.
“Another reason was debts,” says a 78-year-old former employee who preferred anonymity.
“The Government owed the airline billions in unmet air travel bills.”

However, the Government to revive national airline
“I am drafting a paper to present to the Cabinet about the viability of reviving the national carrier,” said works and transport minister Eng. Abraham Byandaala recently.

In its recommendations to the Government, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the industry regulator, wants to make a case study into the collapse of Uganda Airlines.

“The causes (of the collapse of Uganda Airlines) have to be analyzed so that we don’t make the same mistakes,” says another source.
Ignie Igundura, the CAA spokesperson, said the Government is yet to respond to the recommendations. “But there is a lot of (political) will to revive Uganda Airlines,” he noted.

Why do we need a national carrier?

• Reviving a national courier would enhance Uganda’s tourism potential and positioning as a conferencing hub. Over the past decade, Uganda has been attracting a considerable number of tourists who take safaris in the country that include gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris and other adventure travels to national parks.
• Entebbe boasts 24 scheduled and unscheduled international operators and 12 non-scheduled local operators. Its passenger handling growth stands at 1.5 million international passengers.
• “There should be an airline that has a limb and spoke operation, picking passengers and dropping them at Entebbe (International Airport),” says Igundura.
• “A national airline is a symbol of national pride and development. A Ugandan would feel proud to travel in a Uganda Airlines than with any other airline.” A national airline would also offer cheaper internal fares, create employment and increase the taxable base.

Starting a national carrier

A national flag-bearer can be started either through 100% government investment and ownership, or a public-private partnership.

For example, while Emirates Airlines, British Airways, Ethiopian Airways, Air Tanzania and Rwanda Air are government-owned, Kenya Airways is a joint-venture between the Royal Dutch Airlines, KLM and the Kenyan government.

Contrary to views that government enterprises are loss-making, Ethiopian Airlines posted a profit of $120m as of 2010, while Rwanda guaranteed $60m for Rwanda Air to purchase new aircrafts and fast-track Kigali International Airport as a hub.
“To start a hub, Uganda needs to invest about $500m to acquire five aircrafts, three of which would ply regional routes, while the other two take-on the longer routes,” says a source.

A hub would help the national airline to rally passenger numbers from neighboring countries due to the low traffic still experienced at Entebbe Airport.

Kenya Airways has a hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, while British Airways has Gatwick and Heathrow airports as its operational hubs.

“When you have a national airline, there are many flights terminating at that airport,” says Igundura.
“Faced with war or any other disaster, Uganda would rely on the national airline to intervene and transport victims and arms.”

Strategies to revive the airline
Private operators are seeking partnership with the Government to re-establish a national airline, led by Air Uganda, a quasi-national flag-bearer belonging to the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED).
“We think of ourselves as a national carrier. Our logo is the Crested Crane, a national symbol,” says Roberto Manzi, the technical director.
“The Aga Khan has asked the Government to own shares (in Air Uganda) so that we operate as a national airline. We have not had a response yet.”

As well, SKA Uganda, another private operator, is seeking partnership with the Government.

“We want a partnership with Uganda to help start a national carrier and develop her export business,” says Andy Lewis, the station manager.

Challenges
But with widespread corruption, accounting for sh500b loss annually, according to the World Bank, fears abound that this would not be a worthy investment.
“Do we want to divert millions of dollars from health and education to set up an airline which may never be profitable?” asks a source that preferred anonymity.
Raising $500m to buy aircrafts, expand Entebbe Airport and take over ground-handling and catering services is challenging.

“By the time Uganda Airlines was wound-up, it had one plane, which was on and off and yet the Government was subsidizing it at the cost of $1m a month,” says a former manager at CAA.

“Does the country we have that money to throw away?”
Uganda Airlines would also have to compete with established global airlines for international routes and be managed professionally to keep it competitive and self-sustaining.

Works state minister Eng. John Byabagambi says the Government must consider a national carrier not just as a business, but an infrastructure like a road commuting through the air.
“It should be budgeted for,” he says.

“Rwanda Air is not making profits, but the government looks at it as an infrastructure budgeted for and has bought three Boeings. Even Kenya Airlines is not profitable.”

About the Author

Brenda Nabukenya is a travel writer working with Gorilla Trek Africa, specialists in organizing gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda. More of her articles can be read on www.ugandagorillatour.com/blog

Uganda is known as the pearl of Africa. Uganda is found in eastern part of Uganda bordering Rwanda, Kenya, Dr Congo, Sudan, Tanzania and Somalia. Uganda has a number of people of different cultures and religions, It has many tourist attractions like the leopards, lions,  buffaloes, rhinos, crocodiles, Chimpanzees and the most wanted  mountain gorillas so many tourists come to Uganda to see the amazing gorillas. Some tourists come for the community tour to see and help the needy, poor people and the disabled. Uganda is one of the top countries in the whole world with HIV AIDS victims so there are many widowed victims, and orphans which has led to a lot of street children. Uganda  has also been disturbed with the northern Kony war, this has also left a number of people with dis abilities, destruction of families among others

Summary:
A lot of time and decision making goes into planning the perfect vacation to Uganda.  Besides booking a flight and choosing a hotel, you will also have to decide how you are going to spend your time once you arrive.  Travel agents can take the stress out of traveling, if you can find one you are comfortable with.  When looking for the person to arrange your ideal trip, a little bit of research can go a long way. Hiring a travel agent is a good way to get deals you would not normally and one such travel agent is Active African Vacations specialist in organizing Uganda Tours and Rwanda Safari offers!

Planning a Vacation

A lot of time and decision making goes into planning the perfect vacation.  Besides booking a flight and choosing a hotel, you will also have to decide how you are going to spend your time once you arrive.  Travel agents can take the stress out of traveling, if you can find one you are comfortable with.  When looking for the person to arrange your ideal trip, a little bit of research can go a long way.

Hiring a travel agent is a good way to get deals you would not normally be aware of.  Because they plan vacations for a living, they have made contacts with other people in the industry.  This gives them the ability to book cheap flights, find a deal on a hotel and arrange for tours and special meals during your vacation.  Not only can they get you better prices than you could find yourself, their professional planning skills alone can make their services worthwhile.

When looking for the right travel agent, do some research.  Check with a friend or family member and find out if they have an agent to recommend.  The internet can also be a valuable resource in your search.  Check forums and travel websites to find agents with satisfied customers.  It is best to find somebody you feel comfortable talking to about what you are looking for from a trip.  By forming a solid relationship with an agent, you will have found somebody to plan your vacations competently for years to come.

As you check out travel agencies, it is best to look for one that is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents.  This organization is a network of businesses from all over the travel industry, including agents, hotels, airlines and cruise lines.  Members are held to certain quality standards, so you can be confident that your agent will act professionally.  Also, members of the society work together to find the packages and prices available.

Do not hesitate to ask questions of prospective agents.  You might want to find out, for instance, how long they have been in the business of planning vacations.  If you want to do more research, you could ask to speak with an agent’s previous customers.  Their experiences should give you a pretty clear idea of how well a particular agent would work for your needs.

Having confidently found the right person to plan the perfect adventure for your family, be sure to keep the lines of communication open.  Though your agent should be focused on the details of traveling, the two of you will need to sit down and discuss what you are looking for.  You can talk about what you would like to get out of your trip, and they will inform you about the choices at your disposal.  Though the agent is in charge of taking care of the reservations, you will always have the final word.  When you choose an agent you feel comfortable talking to, the two of you can plan a fantastic vacation.

Uganda is one of the best travel destinations offering safari goers interesting options to enjoy game viewing, gorilla trekking,cultural adventures! Here are some few interesting information from Center For Disease Control (CDC)

Before visiting Uganda, you may need to get the following vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases you might be at risk for at your destination: (Note: Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities.)

To have the most benefit, see a health-care provider at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent malaria, if you need it.

Even if you have less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see a health-care provider for needed vaccines, anti-malaria drugs and other medications and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.

CDC recommends that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine.  Find a travel medicine clinic near you. If you have a medical condition, you should also share your travel plans with any doctors you are currently seeing for other medical reasons.

If your travel plans will take you to more than one country during a single trip, be sure to let your health-care provider know so that you can receive the appropriate vaccinations and information for all of your destinations. Long-term travelers, such as those who plan to work or study abroad, may also need additional vaccinations as required by their employer or school.

Looking for the best Uganda safaris and tours? Want to find out more about travel trips and planning information for Uganda visitors? Visit www.ugandavisitorsguide.com for all the travel information you need about Uganda, tourist attractions, travel tips and information about Uganda!

Early this year I travelled around Uganda on an East African Expedition, my first place to visit from Kampala to north western Uganda it was the famous Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where I got my long life unforgettable experience on a Uganda safari. At this site you can enjoy the two loved tourism products none other than the once extinct Rhinos and the loveliest stork shoe bill which I enjoyed while on the dugout canoe. The tracking the Rhino is another amazing experience.

The accommodation is the usual backpackers stuff – very basic room but clean and tidy. The food is good and reasonably priced and the drinks are very cheap and cold. Just before it got dark a rhino came right up to the restaurant area. We were told to keep the noise down and not use flash photography and we just sat and watched this huge animal wander around grazing.

Ziwa does great things and it’s nice to know that the profits from food and accommodation are going towards the breeding programme and the eventual release into the wild of the rhinos.

After being filled with experience, on the following day with my knowledgeable guide we drove to Murchison falls national park and it was short drive as we entered into the park I was much excited to take the boat cruise but my guide being creative advised me we first visit the top of the falls and to be sincere when I visited the top of the falls I came to understand Uganda is the pearl of Africa.

From the amazing top of the falls we had our typical African cuisine at our budget red chill rest camp, the waitress and waiters are so much friendly. Then after our lunch I took again the most stunning boat cruise along the River Nile, this boat moves towards the falls and the experience is unforgettable! Over this boat I was able to spot variety of wildlife and birds relaxing along the banks of the River! It is an advice to my fellow travelers once planning a trip to Uganda, Active African Vacations is number one travel agency as far as quality services is concerned!! The staffs are hospitable, friendly and they looked after me and I will be back next year with friends.

Globalisation has increased mobility of workers worldwide. At the same time, due to high rates of unemployment and people’s willingness to support community development, there is an increase in volunteer travel or volunteer tourism. This increased rate of volunteer tourism is also due to either as part of corporate social responsibility or humanitarian motives. Many people see it more gratifying to spend their vacations or part of their retirement time in activities that support community.

Africa has received great numbers of volunteers in recent years. Research indicates that more travelers are heading to Africa for volunteerism than in Asia and South America. We advise those planning to participate in volunteerism in Africa to ensure that they secure adequate insurance cover.

Span Safaris is one of the premier tour operators based in Uganda offering volunteering holidays to travelers visiting Africa. Diversifying from the usual Uganda safaris, Span Safaris started organizing volunteering trips in Africa. Travelers touring Uganda can travel cheaply while volunteering and adventuring through the Pearl of Africa with these unique packages that have been crafted carefully to offer the amazing long lasting experiences!

Before Taking a Volunteering Holiday in Africa, What You Should Know….

The world is currently witnessing several catastrophes; earthquake in New Zealand, floods in Australia, political unrests in Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Libya, Morocco and Bahrain have all happened within the two months of this year. Even the last two years did not end well either; marred with volcanic ash disruptions, terrible weather conditions, the collapse of tour operators and problems with airlines all making travel and vacations unpleasant.

Amidst all this travel chaos, travel insurance has become critically important to people when booking a holiday. Whether it is annual multi trip insurance or single trip travel insurance, more people see the benefit of having the right travel insurance policy for their holiday.

If you are planning a holiday in 2012, be it a trip of a life-time or a short break; make sure you get the right policy that gives you the best cover for travel and any disruptions that may occur. The right travel insurance policy can cover disruptions and delays, accidents and emergencies, losses and theft as well as medical treatment and repatriation.

Last year many people found that they were left out of pocket after their insurers refused to pay out during the disruption caused by the volcanic ash and other events. When planning a holiday it is important to consider what may go wrong to make sure that the travel insurance policy you take out will provide you with an acceptable level of cover.

If you are travelling with family or friends who have or have had cancer or any other pre-existing medical condition – check the travel insurance policy to make sure you are covered should travel plans be affected by illnesses of anyone in the party who has bought travel insurance elsewhere.

Travel insurance through bank accounts, or other general added benefit schemes, provides travellers with standard cover – they do not provide cover for pre-existing medical conditions if they have not been disclosed. Importantly, they also do not cover accompanying travellers should a member of the party fall ill and travel be disrupted if the policyholder has not disclosed this information. Making sure you disclose any pre existing medical conditions and taking out medical travel insurance will ensure that you have the best cover possible.