Cashless, US aids tourism sector

The United States Mission has agreed to partner with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to install a cashless revenue collection system, aimed at improving financial management in Uganda’s national parks.

Under this system, visitors to game parks will no longer need to carry huge sums of cash for transactions there. A card system will do, according to a statement released by the embassy.

News of the partnership came during celebrations to mark the 50th Anniversary of Kidepo Valley National Park, at the Serena Hotel, last weekend. Kidepo National Park, Uganda’s most remote and pristine national park, with abundant wildlife, was recently ranked number three on CNN’s recent list of African parks to visit.

The new system will be piloted in Bwindi Impenetrable, Lake Mburo, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and Kibaale national parks.

“Uganda realizes its competitive tourism potential in priority national parks and promotes biodiversity conservation, while assisting local communities to develop income-generating opportunities from sustainable use of the parks,” the statement said.

Cashless payment systems have proven successful in several other East Africa countries.