How Uganda Wildlife Authority Has Changed Under the Current Leadership

By Mulengera Reporters

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has undergone a significant transformation in recent months, with reforms targeting conservation, institutional restructuring, staff welfare, technology adoption and tourism development.

Official information available from the literature Mulengera News has reviewed from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) indicates that efforts since April 2025 have focused on strengthening wildlife protection while modernizing the authority to improve operational efficiency across protected areas.

Among the key milestones has been the conclusion of the merger between the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the former Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC), commonly known as Entebbe Zoo, into one institution. This transition has been completed during new Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi’s reign, which commenced April last year.

The merger has been completed, with staff from the two entities successfully integrated under a new institutional structure. The restructuring has enabled the authority to streamline departments and decentralize some functions to conservation areas, allowing them to operate more independently and efficiently.

The authority has also intensified recruitment and training of rangers to strengthen conservation enforcement and anti-poaching operations. About 1,300 rangers are currently undergoing training through the newly established Lugaya Training School in Murchison Falls National Park.

The training facility is expected to prepare newly recruited rangers while also serving as a centre for refresher courses and command training for non-commissioned officers to improve efficiency in wildlife management.

Staff welfare has equally emerged as a priority area under the current leadership. Deliberate efforts have been made to improve working conditions for staff, particularly rangers deployed in difficult and remote areas.

Personnel have been equipped with adequate protective gear, including uniforms, raincoats, gumboots and other equipment necessary to carry out their duties effectively. In addition, all staff have been enrolled on medical insurance schemes and covered under workers’ compensation arrangements to protect them against occupational risks.

In wildlife protection and law enforcement, UWA has increasingly embraced technology to combat poaching and illegal activities within protected areas.

The authority has introduced drones and aerial surveillance to monitor national parks and gather intelligence on encroachment, illegal settlements and poaching activities. The technology has enhanced the institution’s ability to respond to threats in real time.

A DNA forensic laboratory has also been established at the former wildlife education centre in Entebbe, strengthening investigations and prosecution of wildlife crimes.

The laboratory enables the authority to scientifically determine the origin of wildlife products and wild meat, thereby strengthening evidence presented in courts of law.

Wildlife restoration and tourism diversification have also taken centre stage.

UWA recently relocated rhinos from the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Ajai Wildlife Reserve and Kidepo Valley National Park to expand wildlife populations and diversify tourism attractions.

The authority is also trans-locating giraffes and zebras to areas where they had disappeared in a bid to broaden tourism experiences across the country.

Infrastructure development within protected areas has equally accelerated. Through support under World Bank-backed projects, UWA is constructing staff accommodation, visitor information centres, bird hides, canopy walks and improved park entrance gates to enhance visitor experiences.

Plans are also underway to upgrade additional conservation areas, including elevating Echuya and Katonga wildlife reserves into national parks. UWA has already taken over management of Goma Forest Reserve following a presidential directive.

Managing nearly 10 percent of Uganda’s land area, UWA has increasingly positioned itself as a critical player in supporting the country’s tourism ambitions.

According to reliable sources from the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), UWA and UWEC, the authority has developed a new five-year strategic plan, service delivery standards and a client charter aimed at improving public services and aligning conservation with national development priorities. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).