The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has submitted a request for Shs10 billion to fund the acquisition of a helicopter, a move officials say will significantly improve surveillance, conservation, and emergency response efforts in Uganda’s national parks.
Appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industry, the sector minister, Hon. Tom Butime, presented the proposal as part of the ministry’s Budget Framework Paper for the 2026/2027 financial year on Tuesday, 27 January 2026. The aircraft, according to the ministry, would support critical aerial operations including anti-poaching patrols, wildlife tracking, animal population assessments, and rapid rescue missions when animals are caught in illegal snares.
The ministry’s Undersecretary, Godfrey Sseremba, explained that the lack of an in-house helicopter has continued to hinder effective conservation work. He said relying on hired aircraft has made operations slow, expensive, and difficult to plan, particularly during peak periods of wildlife monitoring and protection. He clarified that the proposed allocation is solely intended for purchasing a new helicopter and does not include maintenance costs, noting that ownership would greatly enhance coordination and response times in protected areas.
Sseremba added that hiring helicopters has proven unreliable, especially during emergencies or heightened conservation activity, when availability cannot be guaranteed. He said owning an aircraft would allow the ministry to respond quickly to threats facing wildlife and improve overall management of national parks.
Members of Parliament welcomed the proposal, pointing to tourism’s growing importance to Uganda’s economy. The committee was informed that the sector generated approximately Shs12.2 trillion in 2025, largely supported by an estimated 1.65 million international visitors.
Despite the positive outlook, lawmakers raised concerns about challenges affecting Uganda Airlines, warning that instability within the national carrier could undermine tourism growth. Committee Chairperson Hon. Sylvia Nayebale asked whether the government had put contingency measures in place to safeguard the tourism sector should airline operations be disrupted.
In response, State Minister for Tourism Hon. Martin Mugarra acknowledged the airline’s central role in boosting tourist arrivals and stressed the urgency of resolving its operational difficulties. He disclosed that Uganda Airlines currently flies to 17 destinations and contributed about 27 per cent of tourist arrivals in 2025. He cautioned that prolonged challenges could reverse gains made in positioning Uganda as a competitive and attractive tourism destination.
Email:homelandnewspaper@gmail.com
