By Sandra Birungi

The government of USA has given sh26b to Uganda to boost the country’s conservation and tourism industry in five areas across the country.

The grant worth $10m will be channeled by US Aid and will be implemented through the Africa Wildlife Foundation to the country. The Chief party at US Aid-tourism and biodiversity, Kadu Sebunya confirmed the news.

The project will be implemented under a partnership between the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the National Forestry Authority and the private sector together with communities around the named protected areas.

Not only will the money be used to boost tourism but also conserve wildlife in the country. Mr. Sebunya made the revelation last week at the launch of the four-year program under the theme, “Biodiversity and Economic Growth through Eco-tourism” at Lake Mburo National Park. Sebunya said the initiative will be implemented in areas with high bio-diversity. These areas are Lake Mburo National Park, Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Budongo Forest Reserve, Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo National Park.

Other organizations which will be partnered with to see to it that the project comes through include Uganda Community Tourism Association, the Jane Goodall Institute in Budongo and Nature Uganda. “We do not want to recruit a lot of staff like most conservation bodies do,” he said.