The Paddler ezine WW kayak collection 2013 | Page 73

The unique rapids of the
Nile, in Uganda, and
thousands of jobs, are under
threat from the impending
Isimba Hydro Dam Project.

Once completed, the reservoir
created by the Isimba dam will
flood an area of around 28 square kms, destroying hundreds of
homes, farmland and all white water rapids between Isimba Falls
and Kalagala Falls.

This section of the Nile is world famous for its white water
rafting and draws hundreds of thousand of tourists to the region
every year. This dam will put a stop to white water rafting on the
Nile completely. Without the allure of rafting, not only will the
rafting companies cease to operate, the downturn in tourism
will have adverse effect on all businesses operating on the river
and the hundreds of other businesses, hotels, restuarants, taxi
companies, boda boda drivers etc etc that are currently thriving
in Jinja due to adventure tourism.

Many many businesses, jobs and livelihoods are at stake. Flooding
this precious and unique section of river is not the only way!

What are the alternatives?

Initially, different options for the
size and scale of the Isimba Dam
were proposed. The decision has
already been made to go with
the largest project of these
options, and it is this option that
will destroy tourism. The smaller option would still create
electricity and have negligible impact on tourism.

The smaller dam offers a beautiful balance of creating much
needed power for the country, and allowing adventure tourism
to continue to flourish and expand as it has been over the last
decade, driving Uganda’s development forwards in the Jinja
region.
If you'd like to know more please see the pages below:

http://saveadventuretourisminuganda.wordpress.com/
mission-statement

https://www.facebook.com/saveadventuretourisminUg
anda?ref=ts&fref=ts

ThePaddler 73