Uganda Wildlife Authority

Uganda Wildlife Authority

Uganda Wildlife Authority shortly abbreviated as “UWA” is a government agency under the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities established in 1996 by the Uganda Wildlife Statute which later became an Act in 2000.
Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Vision is “To be the leading, self-sustaining wildlife conservation agency that transforms Uganda into one of the best ecotourism destinations in Africa”. UWA’s Mission is “To conserve, ecumenically develop and manage sustainably the wildlife and protected areas of Uganda in partnership with the neighboring communities and stakeholders for the benefit of the people and Uganda and the global community”

With the main of regulating wildlife conservation, Uganda Wildlife Authority is assigned to ensure sustainable management of wildlife resources and supervision of wildlife activities in Uganda both within and outside protected areas.  UWA manages all the 10 national parks and 12 wildlife reserves; this is evident through its role in managing the tourism industry and attracting investors.

UWA is also responsible for the 5 community wildlife areas and 13 wildlife sanctuaries. Some of the challenges Uganda Wildlife Authority have faced in conservation of Uganda wildlife is poaching of wild animals by the surrounding communities, human wildlife conflicts, animals attacking the communities and their farms, wildlife crimes and competition from other countries like Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. Uganda Wildlife Authority biggest achievements include; improvement of the livelihoods of communities neighbouring the conservation areas through employment and certain percentage of resources earned from tourists is given to the communities. Despite the challenges, strategic measures have been put in place within its management policies to help solve some of the challenges faced.