Political
Hon. David Kalwanga Backs UWA Helicopter Plan as Parliament Pushes for Stronger Tourism Protection
Hon. David Lukyamuzi Kalwanga, the Member of Parliament for Busujju County, has strongly supported a proposal by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to acquire a brand-new helicopter, describing it as long overdue and critical for strengthening Uganda’s tourism and conservation sector. The proposal was presented during a meeting between UWA officials and the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industry, where the authority requested Shs10 billion in the next financial year to facilitate the purchase of the aircraft. According to the Commissioner for Tourism and Business Development at UWA, Mrs. Dorcus Rukundo Twesigomwe, the helicopter is intended to improve the effectiveness of wildlife management and tourism protection across the country’s national parks and conservation areas. She explained to the committee that the helicopter would be used for aerial surveillance and patrols, rescue operations for wild animals, ecological monitoring, wildlife censuses, and for responding swiftly to emergencies, including incidents of human–wildlife conflict. Mrs. Rukundo noted that the absence of an operational helicopter has continued to limit UWA’s ability to execute its mandate efficiently, adding that the requested funds are strictly for purchasing a new helicopter, excluding maintenance costs, to avoid the high operational challenges associated with second-hand aircraft. She further highlighted that the helicopter would help in chasing away poachers, monitoring park boundaries, and preventing animals—especially elephants—from straying into nearby communities and destroying people’s property. Members of Parliament on the committee acknowledged that continued underfunding of UWA negatively affects the country’s tourism potential and, by extension, national revenue.The Chairperson of the Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industry, Hon. Sylvia Nayebale, assured UWA officials that Parliament would work towards securing the requested funding. She emphasized that equipping wildlife authorities is essential for protecting tourism assets and growing the economy. Hon. Nayebale also revealed plans for closer collaboration with UWA to establish electric fencing, particularly in high-risk areas, to curb elephant invasions into human settlements. In his submission, Hon. David Kalwanga welcomed the helicopter acquisition plan, stating that the Government of Uganda has delayed for too long in fully equipping the tourism sector. “This is a necessary investment. Providing UWA with modern tools such as a helicopter will greatly improve operations and efficiency,” Kalwanga said, adding that many other countries have long adopted aerial surveillance to effectively manage and monitor their game parks. He stressed that strengthening UWA’s capacity would not only protect wildlife but also boost Uganda’s image as a leading tourism destination in the region. The proposed helicopter acquisition is now expected to be considered during the upcoming budget discussions as Parliament weighs priorities for tourism development and wildlife conservation.
