IN THE TRAVEL CHANNEL SPECIAL, UGANDA: THE PRESIDENTIAL TOUR, JOURNALIST FORREST SAWYER TAKES A ONCE-IN-A LIFETIME TOUR OF THAT COUNTRY'S RICH LEGACY OF HISTORY, NATURAL BEAUTY, RARE ANIMALS AND THRILLING ADVENTURE,
LED BY UGANDAN PRESIDENT MUSEVENI HIMSELF
When former Ugandan president Idi Amin died in August 2003, the media spoke of the eight-year campaign of torture and murder Amin waged against his own people from 1971-1979. But during his visit to Uganda, journalist Forrest Sawyer found out that was long ago, and now this east African country has risen Phoenix-like to assume its former role as what Winston Churchill called, "the pearl of Africa."
In UGANDA: THE PRESIDENTIAL TOUR, airing Tuesday, December 2, 9:00-11:00 ET/PT on the Travel Channel, Forrest Sawyer has a unique personal guide -- President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni himself -- through the revitalized country. Sawyer discovers a now-thriving country rich in cultural heritage, populated by an amazing assortment of wildlife, and blessed with varied environments that include lush rainforests, broad savannas, dense wetlands, snow peaked mountains and languid river valleys. Travel Channel viewers are along every step of the way as Sawyer also rafts dangerous white water along the Nile and finds joyous moments of discovery peering into rare animal habitats.
After 70 years of British rule, Uganda gained independence in 1962. However, unscrupulous and brutal leaders, Amin included, murdered thousands of Ugandans, forced others into exile, and decimated both the country's economy and its natural beauty. Rebel leader Museveni ousted Uganda's oppressors and became president in 1986. The tide turned, and Uganda today reflects a new optimism and prosperity.
Sawyer's search for the new Uganda begins with an introduction to the warm and humble President Museveni at his official home in Kampala, the country's capital. Kampala has been restored since Amin's time to a modern city of office towers, hotels and shopping malls. But the modern noise of the city soon gives way to the bumps and dust of a jeep ride, as Sawyer and President Museveni set off to look at the country's dazzling natural beauty and legendary wildlife.
For years, the future of the animal population of Uganda was in doubt. The country's civil wars and widespread poaching threatened to eliminate many mammal species. Elephants, particularly, were among the most hunted, and there were only 150 left when President Museveni came to power in 1986. Their ivory was highly prized, and their numbers were nearly eliminated. Now, their numbers have reached 1,000, and during a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Sawyer and his party come across a herd of the majestic creatures now safe in their natural habitat.
The journey continues with a tough trek through the equatorial rainforest of Kibale Forest National Park where they encounter a noisy population of chattering chimps who seem to have little fear of humans. This forest contains one of the highest concentrations of primates in the world. From there, the duo observe hippos and crocodiles at Murchison Falls National Park, the largest national park in Uganda and one of the richest in the world. This visit also includes an unexpected glimpse of a sleek leopard that is sunning himself on the banks of the Nile.
The Nile, which the ancients believed to be the source of all life, begins its four thousand-mile path in Uganda and today holds special adventure for Sawyer - a thrilling and life-threatening, whitewater rafting trip down Gujigali Falls, a class five rapid. Safe and sound on land again, Sawyer and President Museveni continue their adventure with a visit to Fort Portal, site of the ancient Toro Kingdom, where they meet the youngest monarch in the world -- twelve-year-old King Oyo - and serve as special guests in a special ceremony honoring their ancient native tribal rites and customs.
Leaving Fort Portal, Sawyer and the president set forth on one of the most anticipated stops on the Presidential Tour -- a safari into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to see the mountain gorillas, the most elusive of all primates. In preparation for an encounter, Sawyer is taught the rules of gorilla etiquette, including learning how to grunt to show he is part of the gorilla family. The gorillas don't disappoint - and the team's long wait pays off with a one-hour view of the rare creatures.
As Sawyer wraps up his special Presidential Tour of Uganda, there is one more place the president wants to show him -- the cattle ranch where he grew up. Sawyer realizes that this ranch is indeed symbolic to the President. Despite the fact that Museveni has created a political and economic miracle in Uganda, he wants to remember his roots and the roots of his people.
UGANDA: THE PRESIDENTIAL TOUR is an original production of KAOS Entertainment. The executive producers are John Scheer and Rob Englehardt. For the Travel Channel, the executive producer is Joe Swift.
The Travel Channel is the only television network devoted exclusively to travel entertainment. Capturing the fascination, freedom and fun of travel, Travel Channel delivers insightful stories from the world's most popular destinations and inspiring diversions. It is available in 74 million homes and is a service of Discovery Networks, U.S., a unit of Discovery Communications, Inc.
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