News Category: Organisation update

The Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Problem Animal Control Unit (PACU) recently carried out an operation on Kyamuswa Island in Kalangala District, capturing two crocodiles suspected of attacking humans. The reptiles—a female measuring 3.3 meters and a male measuring 4.47 meters—had been a significant threat to the local fishing community.

The Problem Animal Control Unit plays a crucial role in managing conflicts between humans and wildlife, ensuring community safety while protecting animals. Following this mission, the captured crocodiles were moved to Murchison Falls within the Karuma Wildlife Reserve, where they were released back into their natural environment.

Why do crocodiles attack?

Crocodiles attack people for several reasons: territorial aggression—especially from large males defending key areas like basking spots, feeding zones, and nesting sites; females protecting their young; and hunting instincts, as humans can be perceived as prey when they enter crocodile habitats.

To promote peaceful coexistence between fishing communities and crocodiles, the Authority conducts awareness campaigns, advising people to avoid fishing in crocodile hunting areas and to maintain a safe distance from the water’s edge.

Uganda has taken a significant step toward deepening regional tourism collaboration following a high-level bilateral meeting with leaders from South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province during the ongoing Africa’s Travel Indaba. The meeting brought together senior government officials, diplomats, and tourism technocrats to chart a new course for intergovernmental cooperation between Uganda and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

The Ugandan delegation was led by Mrs. Doreen S. Katusiime, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, and His Excellency Paul Amoru, Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa. On the South African side, the KwaZulu-Natal delegation was headed by Honourable Musa Zondi, Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and His Worship Cyril Xaba, Executive Mayor of eThekwini Municipality.

In a cordial and forward-looking engagement, both delegations supported by technical teams from the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and their KZN counterparts, explored strategies for strengthening bilateral cooperation in tourism and cultural exchange.

Permanent Secretary Katusiime showcased Uganda’s unparalleled tourism offerings, highlighting attractions such as the Big Seven (which include mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and hippos), the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, the world’s longest river—Nile- and the vast expanse of Lake Victoria. She proposed key collaboration areas, including joint tourism marketing initiatives, cultural exchange programs, benchmarking in water-based tourism, and joint hosting of sports and cultural festivals.

MEC Musa Zondi praised Uganda’s natural endowments, describing the country as “a jewel of biodiversity and cultural richness.” He underscored the enormous potential for mutually beneficial growth through well-structured partnerships in destination marketing, tourism investments, and experience sharing.

High Commissioner Amoru welcomed the dialogue, emphasizing Uganda’s commitment to translating existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) into tangible programs, particularly at provincial and municipal levels. He described the engagement as a timely opportunity to align bilateral priorities with subnational implementation.

Executive Mayor Xaba reaffirmed eThekwini Municipality’s commitment to building strong intergovernmental linkages and called for structured implementation mechanisms to drive the agenda forward. He proposed a return visit by the KZN delegation to Uganda to experience its tourism products first-hand and further strengthen ties.

The two sides agreed to establish a Technical Working Committee that will oversee the development of actionable plans and fast-track implementation. They also agreed to revisit existing Memoranda of Understanding, address pending issues, and focus on joint projects that will reinforce tourism development, cultural diplomacy, and economic cooperation between Uganda and KwaZulu-Natal.

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Dr. James Musinguzi, Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), has been unanimously elected Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust (BMCT). The election took place on April 28, 2025, at Forest Cottages, Naguru, in Kampala.

Established in 1994 under the Uganda Trustees Law, BMCT is a non-profit government trust dedicated to conserving the Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks, two globally significant forest ecosystems in south western Uganda that harbor nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population.

BMCT’s mission is to promote biodiversity conservation in the two parks through a multi-faceted approach that includes funding community development initiatives, supporting research and ecological monitoring, bolstering park management and protection, and advancing conservation awareness among local communities. The Trust operates within the parishes surrounding Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area (BMCA).

Speaking after his election, Dr. Musinguzi expressed his gratitude to the trustees for the confidence they have in him.  “I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the leadership of the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust. Together with our partners and communities, we will strengthen efforts to protect these vital ecosystems and ensure that conservation benefits the people who live closest to them”, he said.

Dr. Musinguzi will serve a renewable three-year term, assuming leadership at a critical time when the Government of Uganda and its conservation partners are conducting a mountain gorilla census in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Highlighting the importance of collaboration, Dr. Musinguzi reaffirmed the strong partnership between UWA and BMCT. “As Uganda Wildlife Authority, we value the strong partnership we share with the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust in safeguarding the mountain gorillas and their habitats. I look forward to deepening this collaboration to enhance conservation outcomes and uplift the communities that live alongside our national parks.”

The BMCT Board of Trustees comprises 12 members, including representatives from the ministries of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and conservation partners, among others.

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Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has today March 27, 2025 signed three major concession agreements with private investors to develop and manage high-end tourism infrastructure in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo Valley national parks.

The signing ceremony took place at Protea Hotel, Kampala, and was presided over by the Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka.

The Chairman UWA Board of Trustees, Professor James Kalema, signed the agreements on behalf of UWA while Mr. Epic Kagoro, Ms. Patricia Akakunda, and Mr. Paul Zhang Zhigang Group Chairman Tian Tang Group represented the investors; Kagobed Holdings Ltd, Russell Hall Ltd, and Tian Tang Group respectively.

The three investors committed to fulfilling all concession requirements and pledged to have the facilities operational within the agreed timelines of two to five years. The developments represent a total direct investment of over USD 28.5 million into Uganda’s tourism sector.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, emphasized Uganda’s readiness for investments in the tourism industry and expressed optimism that the investments will make a positive contribution to the country. “This is a strong signal that Uganda is open and ready for responsible investment in tourism. These projects will improve the quality of our tourism products, generate revenue for conservation, and create meaningful jobs for our people”, he said.

Professor James Kalema, Chairman of the UWA Board of Trustees, welcomed the new investors and emphasized the need for environmental diligence. “We are excited to work with investors who value not only business growth but also ecological integrity. i urge all concessionaires to ensure that Environmental Impact Assessments are conducted by qualified professionals and that all developments take into account the sensitivity of the ecosystems in which they operate”, said Prof. Kalema

UWA Executive Director Sam Mwandha reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to balancing conservation and development. “We are deliberate about choosing partners who align with our conservation goals. These investments were rigorously reviewed and will be closely monitored to ensure they deliver value to both wildlife protection and the national economy”, he said.

The signing of these agreements marks a major milestone in UWA’s strategic vision to attract quality investment, improve tourism infrastructure, and promote Uganda as a premier eco-tourism destination in Africa.

The concession projects are as follows:

Kagobed Holdings Ltd will redevelop and operate Jacana Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park under the Serena Hotels brand. The investor has committed to an investment of USD 7 million to deliver an upscale facility complete with accommodation, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) infrastructure, a helipad, a health club, and other modern amenities.

 

Tian Tang Group, a well-established investor with diversified businesses in Uganda, will develop a Glass Bridge and a 50-seater Restaurant at the Top of the Falls in Murchison Falls National Park. With an investment of USD 20 million, the development will provide an iconic experience for visitors and promote Uganda as a destination for unique, world-class attractions.

 

Russell Hall Ltd, a Ugandan-owned hospitality company and operator of Bwindi Forest Lodge, will construct a USD 1.5 million luxury lodge in Kidepo Valley National Park. The lodge will be managed in partnership with the French hotel brand TUI Blue to ensure international standards of service and comfort.

ENDS

 

Buliisa residents have been assured of expedited efforts to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, including the construction of an electric fence and the compensation of victims, following a visit by the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Hon. Tom Butime yesterday.

The minister, accompanied by officials from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Ministry, held a meeting at the Buliisa District Headquarters, where he engaged with key district leaders, including the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Bahebwa Longino, District Chairperson (LCV) Lukumu Fred, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Musa Ismail Onzu, District Internal Security Officer (DISO) Isiko David, and District Police Commander (DPC) Tayebwa Micheal, among others.

During the meeting, the minister assured stakeholders that UWA had already begun constructing the electric fence and that within the next two months, 20 kilometers would be completed. The fence is part of a broader strategy to prevent wildlife, particularly elephants, from straying into communities, destroying crops, and causing loss of lives. He also acknowledged concerns over delays in compensating victims of human-wildlife conflict and reassured the district that the process was being expedited.

A total of 98 compensation claims have been received from Buliisa, of which 59 have been approved by the board, while 39 are still pending verification by the Compensation Verification Committee, which is scheduled to convene next week. So far, 10 people have already received payments, while 49 others are yet to sign consent agreements to enable the processing of their compensation. The minister emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that affected individuals are compensated fairly and promptly.

Following the meeting, the minister and his delegation visited the 10-kilometer electric fence currently under construction, which stretches from River Nile to Pondiga. They also held discussions with the senior management of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA) to assess ongoing efforts to address human-wildlife conflict. Later, the minister visited a family that recently lost a mother to an elephant attack, offering condolences on behalf of the government.

During the discussions, district leaders highlighted several challenges faced by communities in Buliisa due to persistent human-wildlife conflict. These included delays in the construction of the electric fence, continued loss of lives due to elephant attacks, prolonged compensation processes, and the destruction of food crops such as cassava, maize, bananas, and mangoes, which has worsened food insecurity in the area. The district also requested humanitarian assistance in the form of food relief for affected communities and called for the formal recognition of the ‘Butebbengwa’ Cultural Institution for the Bagungu community.

Hon. Butime reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with local leaders to find lasting solutions to human-wildlife conflict in Buliisa. He assured residents that the ministry and UWA are dedicated to strengthening mitigation measures and ensuring that communities living near protected areas can coexist peacefully with wildlife.

Uganda participated in the South Asia Travel and Tourism Expo (SATTE) for the first time, taking a major step towards attracting more Indian visitors. The three-day expo, held from February 19 to 21, was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Uganda Embassy in India and Uganda Airlines. Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and a group of tour operators represented the country, promoting its tourism attractions to a diverse audience.

Uganda’s stand was a center of attention, drawing large numbers of Indian tour operators and travel agents eager to learn more about what the country has to offer. The interest was so overwhelming that Ugandan representatives quickly ran out of promotional materials and business cards, a clear sign of growing demand for Ugandan tourism products in the Indian market.

Her Excellency Joyce Kikafunda, Uganda’s High Commissioner to India, accompanied by the Deputy Ambassador and senior embassy officials, visited the Uganda stand, interacting with visitors and reaffirming the government’s commitment to fostering stronger tourism ties between the two countries.

A key moment of Uganda’s participation was a panel discussion in the SATTE conference hall. Mr. Stephen Sanyi Masaba, Director of Tourism and Business Development at UWA, was among the speakers in a session titled “India on the Move: Cracking the Code of Outbound Growth.” He spoke about the long-standing relationship between Uganda and India and outlined various efforts by the Ugandan government to attract more Indian travelers. He emphasized Uganda Airlines’ direct flights from Entebbe to Mumbai and ongoing negotiations to secure landing rights in New Delhi. He also discussed Uganda’s plan for sustained participation in Indian travel expos, the Regional Single Visa initiative to facilitate travel within East Africa, and positioning Uganda as a top destination for filming and photography for Indian travelers.

Masaba also highlighted initiatives such as organizing familiarization trips for Indian tour operators, encouraging Indian travel agencies to participate in the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE), and strengthening cooperation between the Uganda Embassy in India, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities (MTWA), and UTB to organize promotional roadshows.

Uganda’s participation in SATTE follows its recent recognition as the “Best Promising New Destination” at the OTM Mumbai Expo just three weeks earlier. The Ministry of Tourism has pledged to continue supporting efforts to strengthen Uganda’s presence in the Indian market.

With Uganda Airlines already offering direct flights and additional marketing initiatives underway, Uganda’s tourism industry is set to benefit from a steady increase in Indian travelers. Participation in SATTE marks the beginning of a long-term plan to establish Uganda as a preferred destination for Indian tourists, tapping into the growing outbound travel market from South Asia.