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Relations between Uganda and the United Kingdom are being strengthened in several aspects the latest of which is in the field of conservation and tourism. Two national parks both named Queen Elizabeth from the two countries on 28th Jan 2009 signed a twinning agreement in a ceremony that is a follow up to an earlier signing ceremony that took place in Hampshire England on 14th Nov 2008.The twinning agreement was signed between Queen Elizabeth National Park QENP that is managed by Uganda Wild life Authority and Queen Elizabeth country park QENP located in Hampshire England. This is partnership is expected to open up new opportunities for collaboration in the areas of training research tourism promotion community relations and information dissemination and increase Uganda tours .The relation ship between the two institution will also extend to the younger generation from the communities neighboring the two protected areas as other parks. Exchange visits by staff of the two parks as well as community members will also be organized on a regular basis.
A detailed work plan containing specific areas collaboration has been worked out and will be discussed by the representatives of the two organizations. Commenting on the benefits from the partnership the Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority UWA Moses Mapesha said that UWA would be very keen to learn about how their counterparts in England have been able to cultivate a harmonies relation ship with the neighboring communities.
The objectives of twinning the two Queen Elizabeth parks include exchanging of ideas, sharing best practices and offering mutual support and Uganda Safaris .The two parks will also encourages cultural exchanges between their communities which will enhance understanding and appreciation of cultural differences and similarities between the two countries Uganda will also benefit significantly from increased awareness of its tourist attractions which will result in bigger visitor numbers Queen Elizabeth country park and encouraged to visit it currently Queen Elizabeth National park receives an average of 40,000 visitors annually
British people will also get an opportunity to learn about Uganda rich and unique biodiversity and other conservation programs such as the management of Ramsar sites Lake George world heritage site Rwenzori mountains and Biosphere Reserves MABs and important Bird Areas IBAs
In addition Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a large number of wildlife species including lions elephants buffaloes warthogs cobs leopards hyenas and chimpanzees in Kyahambura wildlife Reserve it also has a large bird population. Tourists’ activities include game drives launch cruise nature walks bird watching and chimpanzee tracking among others.
Queen Elizabeth country park on the other hand mostly has giant butterflies and snake and the tourist activities mostly include walking and biking.It is expected that the pertnership between the two parks will eventually pave way for a stronger relationship in the management of the challenges facing conservation today .