Jim Heck – political Activists has no clue about Uganda
Jim Heck – self proclaimed “Africa Answer Man” is wrong about Uganda – not just wrong – dead wrong – He is not a Travel Writer but an American meddling in African Affairs – pushing his political viewpoints instead of promoting African Travel.
As an American living here in Uganda – I am ashamed that an American such as Jim Heck could malign Uganda is such a vicious manner as he has done. One cannot keep quiet when this so called Africa Answer Man 
does not have the answers about Uganda. What makes him an expert on Ugandan affairs – on Ugandan politics, on Ugandan Tourism, on Ugandan Culture?
Jim Heck May Blog – was titled Uganda is Dying – Mr. Africa Answer Man – Uganda is not dying – Uganda is growing, becoming, evolving, maturing into a better Uganda. May of 2011 had some protest sparked by opposition leaders who lost the election most of them with 2 percent or less of the total vote, Dr. Besigye came into second place with 26% of the vote. High food and fuel prices became an issue to bring about what could not be brought about by the ballot box.
Jim Heck writes “For tour companies like EWT, and if as an individual you’re now beginning to plan a safari for the future, scratch Uganda off the list.” In May of 2011 we had a very good month, no cancellations and in June we had a better month, no cancelations, it seems Mr. Heck – the informed traveler does not listen to your advice.
As far as EWT scratching Uganda off the list – there are many qualified tour operators in Uganda here in Uganda that love Uganda – warts and all.
Here is the reality in Uganda in July of 2011: Uganda is not dying – Mr. Heck – there is no comparison to Zimbabwe as you try to make.
- Journalists and people of different opinions have a lot more freedom of expression here in Uganda than they have in Rwanda – the courts have stood by journalists in some major law suits that overthrew some practices.
- Gay Tourists come to Uganda – to tour its parks and to see its wildlife, to climb the mountains and volcanoes – there is no one at immigration that asks male travelers if they are gay, there is no tour company that asks a potential client “are you gay.” The Africa Answer Man keeps harping on the gay legislation in Uganda – the reality is this – President Museveni has stated it will never pass into law – most African countries have an anti-gay law including Kenya where Mr. Heck operates safari tours. We have had gay tourists and they enjoyed Uganda – loved the people and never had one complaint about being harassed. Mr. Heck’s political values – do not reflect most of African values – do not reflect various parties in countries in Africa – even all opposition parties in Uganda are conservative unlike the USA – there are no liberal and conservative parties in most of Africa – there are conservative parties.
- Mr. Jim Heck is not a Travel Writer but a political Activist: he writes in his June 2011 blog on Uganda at the end of it “the people of Uganda are demanding change that begins with the resignation of Yoweri Museveni.” What right does a Mr. Jim Heck have to dictate to Uganda what is best for Uganda – let Mr. Heck – concentrate on the political corruption of his home state of Illinois but not dictate to Uganda what is best for her. Mr. Heck as an American by choice, sometimes over the years of my life I thought it was a wrong choice who lives and works in tourism inside of Uganda, who lives and breathes Uganda, who writes about Uganda – What did Uganda just have in February – it is called election – not perfect – but better than in the past – President Museveni is duly elected – yes there were improprieties – but what of Kenya’s last election? Most people in Uganda want peace and a better future – they are as tired of the opposition as they are at times of inappropriate police response – would Dr. Besigye lead Uganda down a rosier path? Mr. Heck you are naive.
- Mr. Heck blatantly lies about Uganda: Claiming that the mobile phones of students across the country have been confiscated by headmasters and destroyed – he uses one story from the Monitor newspaper and makes it Uganda wide. The confiscation in the school of mobile had nothing to do with the present state of politics but with problems with students in one school.
- Mr. Jim Heck writes “but it appears clear to me that the tourism industry is now desperate.” Try to find a gorilla permit here this time of year for July or August – you can only get them through being informed that one company has two permits they need to sell – there will be 80 permits a day issued in Uganda per day or gorilla tracking – no the tourism sector is not desperate – even though there is no huge advertisement budget in government – different tour operators do their part to spread proper information regarding Uganda.
- Uganda is diverse, safe, friendly, has good tour operators has mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, volcano and mountain climbing, rafting, beautiful lakes to rest – it is the Pearl of Africa and thriving in spite of political activists masquerading as the “Africa Answer Man.”
Most comments on the Mr. Heck’s blog were from Ugandans, ex-pats living in Uganda who were deeply offended by his negativity about Uganda. I liked what a German man who lives here and employs 80 some Ugandans “The reason why I am criticizing this report and especially the previous report on Uganda is that it is not based on the reality and is written by somebody who has not the faintest knowledge about Uganda.”
Mr. Heck – visit Uganda – get a check on reality – through your political activist eyes you cannot see the beauty of this country and its lovely people – if I had my way – you be denied entry as an undesirable person – but knowing Ugandans they would quietly tell you – you are most welcome in their gracious attitude. No wonder some call them the friendliest people in Africa.
Should there be a real problem in Uganda – you can find it here on this blog- we will not sugar coat – but tell you the reality of Uganda in the now…and though I like politics – in the case of Ugandans – let Ugandans decide- and I thought they had – Mr. Heck – with his political agenda – just does not like Mr. Museveni – the president of Uganda for the next 5 years…in spite of the African Answer Man from Illinois- USA-why does not Mr. Heck work on the corruption in his state of Illinois- the last governor in prison-now too-Bwana does not always know what is best for Africa or in this case Uganda …jon
Most Uganda Tour Operators seek the wellbeing of their clients above profits – their might be some exceptions but they are rarities – since most tour operators want you to have a perfect Ugandan Holiday.
Lonely Planet certainly does not concur with Mr. Heck when it declared Uganda as best country to visit in 2012
Mr. Heck’s blog and other links
The uninformed African Answer Man
“If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa.” John Hemingway, African Journeys
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