Uganda has rejected a hydropowerproject proposal, due to the importance of its famed Murchison Falls as a lucrative tourism attraction.
Cabinet agreed that the proposed 360-megawatt project on the Victoria Nile in Murchison Falls National Park would affect the scenery, the ecosystem and subsequently tourism, said Tourism Minister, Ephraim Kamuntu.
"Cabinet took a decision at its latest sitting that there will be no construction of the hydro power dam in Murchison Falls National Park," said Kamuntu. "We definitely still need more electricity to power our expanding economy, but this project can go elsewhere, not in the park."
In June, South African firm Bonang Power and Energy Pty (Ltd) applied for a permit for a feasibility study to develop a 360 MW power plant at the falls.
Private tourism operators, hoteliers, environmentalists, researchers and nature enthusiasts immediately mounted opposition to the project, saying the falls were one of the country's most prized geographical features and a lucrative tourism site. The ‘Save Murchison Falls’ campaign was launched and quickly gained popularity.
The falls are in the Murchison Falls National Park in the northern part of the Albertine Rift Valley, one of Uganda’s ancient conservation areas, 280km northwest of the capital, Kampala.
