The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has put in place a program to train youth and tour company operators in bird guiding. This is to aim at boosting bird watching tourism in the country. UWA acting director in charge of tourism, Steven Masaba said Uganda had the largest population of birds in Africa. Masaba added that Uganda had 1,047 bird species that could attract bird watchers.
He noted that Uganda has 50% of bird species in Africa and 10% globally and that some species like fox weaver are found only in Uganda. He made the remarks during the passing out of 50 bird guides at Makerere University Biological Field Station in Kibale Forest, Kabarole district on Friday. Masaba explained that 80 million people go to the US to watch birds, yet they do not have more beautiful birds than Uganda. He noted that if promoted, bird watching as an activity could generate the same income like chimpanzee and gorilla tracking. Patrick Tushabe, the UWA tourism development officer, said they would map bird watching sites and create trails in protected areas to enable bird lovers watch them properly.
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