Paara, Chobe Safari Lodges granted another 30-year concession

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has renewed 30-year concession agreements with Marasa Africa for the operation of Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, and Mweya Safari Lodge. This significant development, signed on July 6, 2026, aims to foster long-term tourism investment, enhance visitor experiences, and bolster wildlife conservation efforts within Uganda's protected areas. The renewal underscores a sustained public-private partnership model, providing stability for a key player in the hospitality sector and ensuring continued revenue generation for conservation and local community benefits under the framework of the Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019.

The recent renewal of 30-year concession agreements between the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Marasa Africa for the iconic Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, and Mweya Safari Lodge marks a pivotal moment for Uganda's tourism and conservation sectors. Signed on July 6, 2026, these long-term commitments are designed to inject stability and encourage substantial investment in high-end tourism infrastructure within the country's national parks. The move is celebrated as a strategic step towards enhancing Uganda's appeal as a premier safari destination while ensuring the sustainable management of its rich biodiversity.

This development is not merely a commercial transaction but a reaffirmation of Uganda's commitment to leveraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) for economic growth and environmental stewardship. The extended tenure of these concessions provides a robust framework for Marasa Africa, a subsidiary of the Madhvani Group, to continue its operations, contributing significantly to employment, local enterprise development, and conservation funding.

This article delves into the legal and policy landscape underpinning such long-term concession agreements in Uganda. It will examine the statutory authority of UWA, the implications of these extended terms for investors and conservation, and the broader context of balancing commercial interests with the imperative of wildlife protection, offering insights for legal professionals navigating similar agreements in the region.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is the statutory body mandated with the conservation, economic development, and sustainable management of Uganda's wildlife resources, both within and outside Protected Areas (PAs), in partnership with local communities and stakeholders. Its establishment and functions are primarily governed by the Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019, which repealed the earlier Uganda Wildlife Act, Cap 200 of 1996. This Act provides a comprehensive legal framework for wildlife management, including provisions for wildlife use rights and commercial arrangements within conservation areas.

Under the Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019, UWA is empowered to enter into various agreements, including concessions, to facilitate tourism development and generate revenue for conservation. The government's broader tourism policy actively supports a concession framework, encouraging entrepreneurs and developers to undertake projects that develop natural and cultural resources, often in collaboration with UWA or local communities. These agreements are expected to be carefully structured to prevent resource exploitation and to prioritize local community involvement and poverty reduction.

UWA has established procedures and guidelines for awarding concessions, which typically involve advertising investment opportunities and competitive bidding processes to ensure fairness and transparency. Historically, concession fees were based on a percentage of gross revenue, but the approach has evolved to charging fees based on visitor bed-night numbers, allowing for more accurate revenue determination and periodic revisions as per contract terms. This framework underpins the numerous concession agreements UWA has signed over the years to develop high-end tourism infrastructure in its national parks.

The 30-year concession renewals granted to Marasa Africa are firmly rooted in the legal authority vested in the Uganda Wildlife Authority by the Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019. This Act, particularly sections pertaining to 'Wildlife Use Rights' and 'Commercial arrangements to manage conservation areas,' empowers UWA to forge such partnerships for the sustainable utilization and management of wildlife resources. The long duration of these agreements carries significant implications for both the private sector and the national conservation agenda.

From an investor's perspective, a 30-year term offers unparalleled stability and certainty, which is crucial for attracting and sustaining substantial capital investment in tourism infrastructure. Such long-term security enables companies like Marasa Africa to plan and execute extensive upgrades and developments, confident in the return on investment. This aligns with UWA's strategic vision to attract high-value investments and elevate Uganda's status as a premier ecotourism destination. The renewed agreements are expected to enhance visitor experiences, create thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities, and stimulate local enterprise development.

Crucially, these concessions are designed to serve conservation objectives. Revenue generated through these arrangements directly contributes to the protection of wildlife habitats, supports park management operations, and strengthens overall conservation efforts. However, the long tenure also necessitates robust environmental safeguards. UWA emphasizes that concessionaires must conduct Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) by qualified professionals and ensure developments respect the sensitivity of the ecosystems. This commitment to environmental diligence is a cornerstone of responsible tourism development within protected areas.

While the benefits are clear, the history of concessions in Uganda also presents challenges. There have been instances of unfulfilled concessions, where developers failed to operationalize facilities within agreed timelines, leading to lost revenue for the tourism sector. This highlights the critical need for UWA to maintain rigorous monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure concessionaires adhere to their contractual obligations. The UWA's concession procedures include periodic reviews of contract terms, which are essential for adapting to changing circumstances and ensuring ongoing compliance and benefit sharing. The trend of UWA signing other long-term concessions, such as 20-year and 25-year agreements with various investors for luxury lodge developments, further demonstrates a consistent policy direction towards fostering stable, long-term public-private partnerships in the tourism sector.

The renewal of 30-year concession agreements for Paraa, Chobe, and Mweya Safari Lodges represents a significant commitment by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Marasa Africa towards the long-term sustainable development of Uganda's tourism sector and the conservation of its natural heritage. For legal practitioners, this development underscores the increasing complexity and strategic importance of public-private partnerships in protected areas. Attorneys advising investors must conduct thorough due diligence, not only on the commercial terms but also on the intricate regulatory landscape governed by the Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019, and UWA's specific concession guidelines, including environmental compliance and community engagement requirements.

Looking ahead, stakeholders should closely monitor the implementation of these agreements, particularly regarding the adherence to environmental impact mitigation measures, the actualization of socio-economic benefits for local communities, and the effectiveness of UWA's oversight mechanisms. The success of these long-term concessions will serve as a benchmark for future investments in Uganda's burgeoning tourism industry. Legal professionals will play a crucial role in structuring and enforcing these agreements to ensure a harmonious balance between commercial viability, ecological integrity, and equitable benefit sharing, thereby safeguarding Uganda's 'Pearl of Africa' status for generations to come.