President Museveni Commissions Hotel Africana Branch in Karamoja

The President on Friday took time off his campaign trail to open Hotel Africana in Moroto town, Moroto district, Karamoja sub-region.

Museveni applauded the proprietor, Hajji Muwanga Kibirige for being one of the African pioneers of hotel business in Kampala but also the five star facility in Karamoja region.

“Whenever I used to come here, I saw a bush. I am happy with this facility. I congratulate you for being a good entrepreneur.” Museveni said.

The President said with the availability of electricity, government will now work on extending the tarmacked road to Kaabong, Kotido and Kidepo to ensure smooth rides for tourists.

He noted that government would inject more money into the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) so that the same can be used by investors in the manufacturing, agriculture and services sectors which help in creating employment but also in paying taxes.

President Museveni also pledged tax exemptions to the newly constructed Hotel Africana, citing that the government will instead tax the hotel indirectly for example through the drinks they will be selling.

According to Hajji Muwanga Kibirige, the proprietor, the project started in 2015 but met a number of challenges that stalled its construction for almost five years.

“The soil texture of this region which keeps moving meant there was a lot of work that needed to be done to mitigate the moving ground problems. It cost us a lot of time and funds which stretched our budget,” Kibirige said in a speech read for him by one of the shareholders in the business.

The company Managing director Kalule Haruna Kibirige said the hotel is targeting tourists touring Kidepo Valley National Park and the NGOs that work in the Karamoja sub-region.

“We chose Moroto because we have been engaged in the construction of other projects around and noticed there is a gap in accommodation,” Kalule said.