Apoka Safari Lodge located in Kidepo National Park in northeastern Uganda that has been under renovation and is set to turn into a top tourism destination providing accommodation to the rising numbers of visitors to the National park.

Kidepo, which borders Sudan and Kenya, has great scenic beauty comprising the windswept grasslands and rare animals like cheetahs, ostriches, hyenas, lions, elephants and large herds of buffaloes.

Jonathan Wright, the investor under Uganda Safari Company Ltd said that Apoka now worth $1m (sh1.8b) in investments, is a new product from what is offered in western Uganda. It is to provide luxury accommodation in one of the remotest parts of the country and could accommodate between 20 to 30 guests per night.

Apoka, which is to be launched in March at a ceremony where the Netherlands ambassador is expected to attend, would attract high spenders and has been earmarked for international market and to also promote domestic tourism.

Wright said Apoka was built in the 1950s, but has been turned into a luxury lodge with a swimming pool that is almost complete after 14 months of reconstruction. It is a dry land savannah that is comparable to nothing, with its only problem being remote.

The lodge will be opening with its first clients mid next month and the clients would be flying from Entebbe and later from Kenya.The lodge is a sign of the developing hospitality sector in Uganda, promoting tourism, accommodation and hospitality services in the country.

By Kisibo Jackie
Uganda Hotel News

Hotel Africana a three star Hotel in Kampala is the only African enterprise in Uganda with a workers’ subsidy fund in addition to the requisite National Social Security Fund (NSSF) contribution.

The hotel is committed to ensuring contentment among its workers as a way of tapping their full potential, the Hotel Africana’s general manager Paul Akivembe said. Hotel Africana, which has a pension scheme for its workers, above the NSSF’s contribution, wants workers to feel secure and contented about tomorrow inorder to give their best. This system has increased charisma in workers, enhancing productivity and service production.

The hotel will have 35 jobs upon completion of the hotel’s extension wing in March, which will create more business ventures and create employment opportunities.

By Kisibo Jackie
Uganda Hotel news

A public hearing was held over the weekend at Hotel Equatorial a 3*** hotel in Kampala, for airlines seeking licenses to operate in Uganda.

Victoria International Airlines (VIA) was among the nine airlines that surfaced before the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) public hearing, saying they were not demanding a national carrier status but interested in providing quality air travel in Uganda.

Zephaniah Baliddawa, the chairman CAA, chaired the meeting, and said that if they see commitment from the Government, they were prepared to pay for about 25% shares in VIA before they are granted a licence

Mike Myburgh, who represented VIA, said they were prepared to undertake investments in Uganda, which were pending approval by the Government.
He said in South Africa, a person or company cannot repatriate investments unless they get permission from the South African Reserve Bank.

Myburgh said they plan to begin flights with an F 28 4000 Jet Air leased from Air Aquarius in South Africa.

He added that they just want to operate airline services to provide good transport . He referred to Lufthansa or British Airways doubting whether the Germany and British governments have more than 51% shares in them.

Myburgh said once the airline is licensed, the shareholders would consist of the Government, consortium of JLP Limited and investors from Switzerland and Malaysia.

BY TANAH HADIJAH
UGANDA HOTEL NEWS