The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is the government agency responsible for managing and conserving Uganda’s wildlife and protected areas. Established in 1996 by the Uganda Wildlife Statute, the UWA’s mission is to conserve, manage, and sustainably utilize wildlife and protected areas for the benefit of present and future generations. The Authority manages 10 national parks like Queen Elizabeth national park, Bwindi Impenetrable national park, Lake Mburo national park, Murchison falls national park, Kidepo national park, Mount Elgon national park and others; 12 game reserves like Kabwoya wildlife reserve, Pian Upe wildlife reserve, Bokora corridor wildlife reserve, Karuma wildlife reserve, Kyambura wildlife reserve, Bugungu wildlife reserve, Kigezi wildlife reserve and others; 5 community wildlife management areas like Karenga, Amudant, Kaiso Tonya, Iriri and Rwengara; and 13 wildlife sanctuaries like Kazinga, Malawa, Mount Kei, Ntoroko-Kanara, Nyaburogo, Jinja, Entebbe and more.
Mission
Uganda Wildlife Authority’s mission is to manage, economically develop, conserve and protect all the wildlife areas within or outside the protected areas and to benefit the people within the surrounding communities.
Vision
The vision of the authority is to lead a self-sustaining conservation agency with the ecosystem and be able to transform Uganda into an outstanding ecosystem destination all over the world.
Roles
Uganda Wildlife Authority is responsible for the conservation of Uganda’s diverse wildlife species and their habitats. This involves implementing measures to protect endangered and threatened species from poaching, habitat loss, and other threats so that tourists can still enjoy the experience through promoting the best management practices and policies.
Uganda Wildlife Authority is responsible for marketing the Ugandan destinations to the world and within through online platforms, trade shows, firm trips and other means. UWA is also meant to promote and develop tourism by encouraging private investors through creating fertile soils for them to operate and ensure the growth of the tour operators, hoteliers and other investors. This involves facilitating activities such as gorilla tracking, game drives, birdwatching, and boat safaris in national parks and other protected areas.
The Authority enforces wildlife protection laws and regulations to combat illegal activities such as poaching, wildlife trafficking, and habitat destruction within protected areas as it’s obligated to protect all animals from any killings. This involves deploying park rangers and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to address wildlife crime as these crimes are the biggest problem and general from Uganda all through Africa. The strict laws enforced have helped reduce these crimes in Uganda.
UWA works closely with local communities living adjacent to protected areas to foster positive relationships and promote community participation in conservation efforts. All locals around the protected areas are mobilized and sensitized on the values of wildlife as a way to protect both humans and wildlife which means clear boundaries are enforced for a harmonious environment. This may involve revenue-sharing schemes, capacity-building initiatives, and sustainable livelihood projects.
The Authority manages Uganda’s network of national parks, game reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and community wildlife management areas. These protected areas are vital for conserving biodiversity, promoting ecotourism, and providing recreational opportunities for visitors. This also creates jobs as guides, rangers and other officers are employed to ensure the smooth running of the several parks and reserves.
Uganda Wildlife Authority conducts scientific research and monitoring programs to gather data on wildlife populations, habitat health, and ecological trends. This information helps inform conservation strategies and management decisions.
UWA conducts scientific research and monitoring programs to gather data on wildlife populations, habitat health, and ecological trends. This information helps inform conservation strategies, management decisions, and policy development.
Overall, the Uganda Wildlife Authority plays a crucial role in safeguarding Uganda’s rich natural heritage and promoting sustainable wildlife conservation and tourism development.