Senegalese-American singer, Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam alias Akon together with his wife, Rozina Negusei over the weekend marveled at the beauty that Uganda is when they visited its touristy southwestern region; visiting one of the country’s most remarkable national game parks – Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks.
Akon, who is on a tour visit to Uganda on Friday visited the president, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and the First Lady, Janet Kataaha Museveni, at their country home in Rwakitura before embarking on visiting various parts of the country, starting with Queen Elizabeth and then Bwindi.
According to several photos and footage from his visit, the Senegalese-American singer, together with his wife were seen marvel at the beauty that the Pearl of Africa is as he took photos.
The pop star’s highlight of his visit seemed to have been trekking the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi as he posted a footage on his Instagram account while at the starting point preparing to go for the gorilla trekking session in the jungle.
Further on his Instagram stories, the singer posted several videos of him in the jungle trekking mountain gorillas and others with the gorillas.
Mountain gorillas are palpably Uganda’s major drawcard as it lures a mammoth number of tourists specifically to marvel at them.
Uganda resides over half the total population of mountain gorillas in the world, making the country the most ideal destination for mountain gorilla trekking safaris.
The other countries residing mountain gorillas are Rwanda and DR Congo. Uganda has two mountain gorilla national parks in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks – the only country with two parks all protecting mountain gorillas.
Trekking mountain gorillas is perhaps one of the world’s top bucket list travel activities, and Uganda residing the larger population of these breathtaking giants make it one of the perfect destinations for safari holidays in the world.
Meanwhile, according to Isaac Kigozi, the Trade and Investment Officer in the Office of the President, Akon has been designated as Uganda’s special envoy on tourism and culture and has been asked to organize the Uganda Cultural Festival which will be an annual event to celebrate Africa by the African-American communities around the world.
“Akon has also been tasked with setting up high-class luxurious lodges or accommodations within the tourism development areas of Uganda.
He will also partner with Aya Group of Companies to set up Aya-Akon Tower, a 72 storey building within the Central Business District of Kampala,” Kigozi said in a statement.
During the meeting, on Friday, President Museveni applauded the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora, Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, for inviting Akon to Uganda and implored his office to encourage more historical African Diasporas to return and take up investments in different sectors.