King Oyo urges Ugandans to promote local tourism

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Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the King of Toro, has urged Ugandans to promote local tourism, stating that local participation is essential for boosting the sector.

“I urge my fellow Ugandans to come together to protect and preserve our wildlife. Let’s take the time to explore and promote our beautiful parks and other tourist sites. By visiting these natural treasures, we can support conservation efforts and contribute to our tourism industry,” he implored in a recent post on social media X, where he also shared some photos from the game drive.

Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the King of Toro. (File photo)

Declining animal species

The King expressed concern about the declining animal species in Queen Elizabeth National Park, describing the situation as unfortunate and attributing it to negligence by surrounding communities.

He emphasised the serious threat posed by poaching, which is largely driven by conflicts between humans and animals.

Recently, Oyo visited Queen Elizabeth National Park as part of his efforts to showcase the country’s tourism potential under his 25-year development plan. During his visit, hosted by the management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Amos Wekesa, head of Great Lakes Safaris, the King received reports about the significant threat posed by poaching, again linked to human-animal conflicts.

King Oyo stated that there are only 76 lions in the park, out of an estimated total of 400 lions in the entire country.

The elephant population is approximately 4,000, while buffaloes are estimated to number around 1,700. There are about 100 leopards, and the hippo population is roughly estimated at 5,000.

Tourism in Toro sub-region

King Oyo presides over a region rich in tourism highlights, including Kibale Forest National Park, famous for primate safaris and chimpanzee tracking. Visitors can also explore the snow-capped Mountains of the Moon (Mountain Rwenzori) and Semuliki National Park, which is ideal for nature walks and birdwatching.

Other attractions include the Amabere Caves, known as the Breasts of Nyinamwiru, and Toro Palace, the residence of the King. Additionally, the Toro Botanical Garden and the Karambi Royal Tombs, where several Toro Kings and royal family members are interred, are worth visiting.

Lake Albert, located on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, offers stunning views in the western region, along with many other attractions.