The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda Rt. Hon Robinah Nabbanja under the Directive of the president, His Excellency Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday 23rd January handed over Entebbe Botanical Gardens to Uganda Wildlife Education Conservation Centre (UWEC ) under the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities to take care of it on behalf of the government.
The handing over event started with a tour of the Reserve Forest that was started in 1898 seated on 40 hectares containing 300 tree species, 480 bird species, spiders, and Reptiles among other creatures.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities Hon Tom Butime, Minister of State for Wildlife and Antiquities Hon Martin Mugarra, Executive Director of UWEC Dr James Musinguzi, Entebbe municipality mayor Fabrice Rulinda among other dignitaries.
The President’s directive was to shift the Botanical Gardens land documents and authority to the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities from the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) which is under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).
Nabbanja noted that both parties, the Ministry of Tourism and National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) which is under MAAIF must co-exist so that the Botanical Gardens can develop without any interruption.
“It is evident that Entebbe Botanical Gardens lacks facilities/ amenities including; adequate security, toilets, signage, interpretation, information boards, trails, a boat docking pier, accommodation facilities, and modern restaurants, among others which need to be fixed,” she remarked.
Nabbanja therefore ordered NARO to hand over the land title of the Botanical Gardens to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for easy planning and must note down all the facilities at the Gardens.
“I direct both Ministries to work closely to ensure that the aspirations of HE the President are realized without any interruptions, so I take this opportunity to handover the land title for Entebbe Botanical Gardens from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities(MTWA) and officially declare that Entebbe Botanical Gardens is now handed to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities,” she concluded.
Dr Yonna Baguma the Director General of NARO remarked that Research and tourism can be compatible and must coexist so a plan is put in place to follow for the development of the gardens.
The Entebbe municipality mayor Fabrice Rulinda noted that NARO board members have been working in isolation as well as setting up facilities and restaurants that are not under the law, and therefore urge all institutions of the government to learn how to co-exist.
Dr James Musinguzi the Executive Director of UWEC made an assurance of working together with NARO to make sure that the facility develops well starting with security, walkways, and toilets to create a conducive environment for the visitors.
The minister of WildLife and Antiquities, Tom Butime highlighted that Botanical Gardens are very important for the Natural conservation of plants and act as a tourist site bringing over 750 Million tourists every year.
“Therefore it must be reserved for future generations. Plant more trees, improve the welfare in Botanical gardens, add more activities, improve sanitation and even security,” the minister of Tourism concluded.
The Entebbe Botanical Gardens is located in Entebbe municipality on the shores of Lake Victoria holding significant importance as a hub for biodiversity, conservation, and education.
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