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The chairperson of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators, Civvy Tumusiime, and Herbert Byaruhanga, President of the Uganda Tour Operators, have raised concern over the potential sale and encouraged the Government to be more forthcoming with sector stakeholders about its plans.
"The Government needs to be more transparent with sector players about how effective this business model is and how it will benefit them," Tumusiime said.
Authorities, including the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, have angrily disputed these reports, insisting that there are no plans to sell any national park, including Murchison Falls.
The contested area of Murchison Falls National Park is located in its eastern half, near the formidable Murchison Falls.
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It is alleged that the tourism ministry and UWA had begun talks with Space for Giants, a foreign corporation, about managing the park. However, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Doreen Katusiime, strongly denied these assertions.
"A national park cannot be purchased. "The Ministry has no plans to sell any national parks," she stated emphatically.
The executive director of UWA, Sam John Mwandha, revealed to this website that the Government is considering public-private partnerships to co-manage Murchison Falls National Park, but no final decisions have been made.
"This is not the first time we've entered into a public-private partnership to manage a protected area," Mwandha said.
Murchison Falls National Park, located near the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, features the breathtaking sight of the Nile River flowing over a 7-meter gorge, surrounded by a wide array of plant and animal species. Its distinctive qualities have made it a popular tourist destination, attracting the most tourists when compared to other national parks in the country.
Despite its popularity, business sector actors have expressed worries, accusing the Ministry and UWA of considering the sale of this prominent facility.
The Ministry and UWA highlighted the potential benefits of public-private partnerships, drawing inspiration from successful models in other countries like South Africa and Rwanda. They mentioned the Akagera National Park in Rwanda as an example of how such an arrangement has worked well.
While difficulties exist over the future management of Murchison Falls National Park, the Government maintains that the park's integrity will be preserved and that any rumours of a sale are only rumours.
As conversations continue, the public and business sectors are keeping a careful eye on how the issue develops and how it may affect the conservation and tourist possibilities of this renowned Ugandan site.