Whether Murchison Falls Dam is necessary or not still remains a significant matter to discuss. Just after two months when conservationists launched a protest against a move by a private investor to clear a portion of Bugoma Forest, a home to about 500 chimpanzees and replace it with sugarcane plantation, environmentalists, conservationist and nature lovers are yet to overcome another most critical issue. This time round, it is not about forests but rather Uganda’s most iconic tourist attraction ‘Murchison Falls’ that is under severe threat!

Following the advert published by one of the newspapers that indicated that private company (Bonang Power Energy Ltd)-a South African energy firm intends to set up a hydro-power dam on Murchison Falls. In reference to the June 7^th notice issued by the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), the regulator (ERA) acknowledged receipt of a notice of intended application for a license from Bonang Power Energy Limited. The South African based energy firm plans to generate and sale electricity from a hydro power plant proposed to be set near Murchison Falls in the districts of Kiryandongo and Nwoya.

However, the move has sparked lots of controversies and over 3000 people have already signed a petition to block the intended construction of power dam around Murchison Falls that in a near future could be no more yet it is a significant tourist attraction in the country. Amos Murungi-an environmentalist put up a petition online after ERA published a notice inviting public views on the intended feasibility study of the site by Bonang Power Energy Limited that could eventually set up a power dam. Other tourism enthusiasts and stake holders took it to social media including Amos Wekesa the CEO-Great Lakes Safaris asking government to stop the idea altogether. In the notice published, Uganda plans to build new hydropower projects at Uhuru, Kiba, Ayago and Murchison Falls and expect to generate about 2550 MW of electricity.

Murchison Falls lies within Murchison Falls National Park, northwestern Uganda and forms part of the Albertine Rift Valley. It is not only Uganda’s most natural treasure but also a few powerful waterfalls in the world. Murchison Falls is also best known as the Kabalega Falls sits between Lake Albert and Lake Kyoga along the White Nile in northwestern Uganda. It is 7 meters wide and tumbles 43 meters prior flowing westward into Lake Albert.

Murchison Falls are tourist treasure in Murchison Falls National Park and generates revenue not only to operators but to government at large. Visitors on safari in Murchison Falls National Park embark on a boat trip to the bottom of the falls that rewards them with astonishing view of hippos, crocodiles, waters to mention but a few. The tourism sector is Uganda’s one major foreign exchange earner with about $1.37 billion generated the previous year and losing Murchison Falls comes with its own environmental impacts especially on wildlife besides ruining its natural beauty. Uganda is known for losing waterfalls for instance the Bujagali falls which is found on River Nile. #save Murchison Falls#