By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
Uganda Wild Life Education Center (UWEC) has kicked off the construction of a Wild Life Education Center in Mbale City to serve the greater Eastern Uganda.
The Ground Breaking Construction Ceremony of Mbale Zoo Wild Life Education Center took place on Thursday, 27th June, 2024 and graced by James Musinguzi, the UWEC Executive Director.
While speaking at the Ceremony, Musinguzi revealed that Uganda Wild Life Education Center through Ministry of Tourism is going to construct four wild life education centers across the four regions of Uganda a way of improving on local tourism in the country.
The Mbale Center is going to be constructed on the land which was donated by National Forestry Authority near Mutoto Cultural Site located at Industrial City Division in Mbale City.
According to Musinguzi, the four Wild Life Education Centers will located at Mbale City for Eastern region, Mbarara for Wesstern, Gulu for Northern Uganda and Kyenjonjo for Central.
He says that they have started with Mbale and government has earmarked Shs22billion to complete the whole work.
The executive director also says that in the first phase, the government has allocated Shs7billion to start constructing facilities like administrative block, roads, boundary fence, toilets, and a drainage system at the Mbale Zoo Wildlife Education Center.
He says that works are going to take six months at and urged the public to embrace the project.
Aldon Walukamba, the communications officer at National Forestry Authority says that they have donated 30 acres of land to wild life education center.
He adds that they are ready to give land to any development partner especially if activities undertaken will conserve their Forest.
Walukamba also says that this zoo is going to promote local tourism and generate revenue to government.
Domiano Wambi, the Deputy Prime Minister At Masaba Cultural Institution welcomed the development saying this is going to push Bugisu region far in terms of development and tourism.
He urged the government to develop other tourism sites Bugisu has like caves, waterfalls among others such that government can get more local revenue.
Kharite Kakai Kizangi, the Mbale City Deputy Mayor says that as Mbale city, they are very happy with the development saying tourism is the only government can help the Mbale City to develop.
Godfrey Welikhe, heading Mitala technical works one of the contractors going to do construction works at Mbale zoo promised to do quality work.
