By Frank Kamuntu | Mr Swift
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has intensified wildlife protection, community conservation and tourism development, recording 25,621 patrols, recovering 43,642 illegal hunting and related implements during the 2025/2026 financial year.
The achievements were highlighted on Friday morning by UWA Executive Director Dr James Musinguzi during the Authority’s Annual Stakeholder Breakfast Meeting 2026 held at Skyz Hotel in Naguru, Kampala, where the institution presented its performance and outlined priorities for strengthening wildlife conservation and tourism.
The meeting brought together stakeholders to reflect on UWA’s achievements, challenges and contribution to Uganda’s national development, with the Authority emphasising the need for stronger partnerships and sustainable financing to support its expanding conservation responsibilities.
Presenting the performance report, Dr Musinguzi said the 2025/2026 financial year registered progress in ecosystem restoration, wildlife protection, species reintroduction, community engagement and institutional development, despite persistent resource constraints.
One of the year’s major milestones was the historic reintroduction of eight southern white rhinos to Ajai Wildlife Reserve and Kidepo Valley National Park, restoring the species to landscapes where it had become locally extinct.
UWA also assumed management responsibility for Bugoma Central Forest Reserve in May 2026, adding to its conservation mandate at a time when the Authority continues to grapple with inadequate resources, habitat degradation and growing demands for wildlife protection.
In ecosystem management, the Authority controlled invasive and problematic plant species across 7,464.94 hectares, up from 4,299.97 hectares in the previous financial year. It maintained 1,213.1 kilometres of protected area boundaries, restored 60.25 hectares of degraded habitats and translocated 90 animals to support species conservation.
On wildlife protection, Dr Musinguzi reported that UWA conducted 25,621 patrols, apprehended 2,931 suspects and recovered 43,642 illegal hunting and related implements. The Authority also seized 4,540.54 kilogrammes of wildlife products and investigated 1,237 wildlife crime cases involving 2,189 suspects.
UWA continued to strengthen relations with communities neighbouring protected areas through livelihood support, conservation education and revenue-sharing programmes.
During the year, the Authority supported 1,282 community livelihood groups, conducted 2,421 community meetings and disbursed Shs5.51 billion through the revenue-sharing programme.
In tourism and business development, UWA recorded 865,805 visits across protected areas and wildlife conservation education facilities, down from 943,837 visits in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Despite the decline in overall visitation, concession revenue reached Shs16.4 billion against a target of Shs5 billion, highlighting the importance of private-sector partnerships and commercial opportunities in supporting conservation.
The Authority prepared 19 concession opportunities and identified 18 investment sites to attract private investors, diversify tourism products and expand services across protected areas.
At the close of the financial year, 1,362 newly recruited rangers were undergoing paramilitary and wildlife conservation training. Investments in equipment, technology and operational systems also supported the Authority’s capacity to fulfil its mandate.
UWA further strengthened public engagement through corporate communication initiatives, including the establishment of UWA Online TV. The Authority recorded 664 earned-media stories during the reporting period, with 75.6 per cent assessed as positive.
In his message to stakeholders, UWA Board of Trustees Chairman Professor James Kalema said the Authority remained committed to safeguarding Uganda’s wildlife heritage while ensuring conservation contributes meaningfully to national development, tourism growth and community wellbeing.
Kalema said the year’s achievements reflected continued efforts to strengthen institutional performance, restore wildlife populations and ensure that communities neighbouring protected areas benefit from conservation.
He highlighted the Shs5.51 billion distributed through the revenue-sharing programme and the reintroduction of southern white rhinos as important milestones in the Authority’s work.
The Board, he said, would continue to prioritise accountability, prudent resource management, good governance and efficient institutional performance to ensure measurable conservation and development outcomes.
Both the Board and Management called for stronger partnerships with government, the private sector, conservation organisations and local communities to address the funding and operational challenges facing wildlife conservation.
Now, as UWA moves into the implementation of its 2025/2026 to 2029/2030 Strategic Plan, priorities include strengthening law enforcement, restoring degraded ecosystems, diversifying tourism products and ensuring communities receive greater benefits from conservation.
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