By Mungukende Joshua
Imagine arriving at the gate of Murchison Falls National Park and not paying an entrance fee.
That could become reality for three days in September.
The government has announced that visitors will be allowed to enter Uganda’s national parks without paying park entrance fees from September 25 to 27, 2026. The initiative is open to both Ugandan citizens and foreign visitors.
The announcement was made during a familiarisation tour involving Murchison Falls National Park and Ajai Wildlife Reserve.
For communities around Murchison Falls, the development could create an important opportunity.
Why it matters
For many Ugandans, visiting a national park remains an expensive experience.
Transport, accommodation, food, vehicle costs and park-related expenses can make a safari difficult for ordinary families.
Removing the entrance fee for three days could therefore encourage people who have never visited Murchison Falls to finally make the journey.
And that means more potential customers for businesses around the park.
- Hotels.
- Restaurants.
- Tour operators.
- Transport companies.
- Craft sellers.
- Photographers.
- Cultural groups.
- Local guides.
The economic benefits of tourism are rarely limited to the attraction itself.
Pakwach is strategically positioned for visitors travelling to Murchison Falls and other attractions in the wider region.
The town could use the September opportunity to market itself as more than a transit point.
Local businesses could develop special accommodation packages, food experiences, cultural activities and guided excursions.
Young people could also take advantage of the increased movement by offering photography, digital content creation, tour guiding and transport services.
But there is another important issue.
Conservation must come first
More visitors also mean greater pressure on roads, wildlife, waste management and natural resources.
Tourism only works when the attraction remains protected.
Recent wildlife conservation efforts in the Murchison Falls Conservation Area demonstrate the delicate balance between tourism, development and conservation. In July, authorities relocated 12 Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls to Ajai Wildlife Reserve as part of efforts to protect the species and expand conservation opportunities.
The September initiative therefore presents both an opportunity and a responsibility.
For visitors, it could be the perfect chance to discover one of Uganda’s greatest natural treasures.
For communities, it could be a chance to demonstrate that tourism can create real local economic value.
And for Murchison Falls, it could bring thousands of new eyes to the landscape.
If you have never visited Murchison Falls, September may be the month to finally go.
