Uganda Wildlife Authority on Friday, May 16, 2025, hosted Members of Parliament on the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Tourism, and Industry at the Mbale Regional Zoo site, currently under development in Mutoto village along Tororo Road. The high-level delegation, led by Hon. Betty Awori Engola, Woman MP for Apac District, toured the facility to assess progress on one of the country’s key regional tourism infrastructure projects.

The Mbale Regional Zoo is being constructed on 62 acres of land provided by the National Forestry Authority under a Memorandum of Understanding. During the tour, UWA Executive Director, Dr. James Musinguzi, briefed the committee on the milestones already achieved, revealing that 37 acres have so far been developed. The completed sections include the lion exhibit, the grazers exhibit, and the bird enclosures all part of Phase One of the project.

Dr. Musinguzi shared that the facility is expected to officially start operations by July, with animals scheduled to be relocated to the site in the coming weeks. He emphasized that the project aligns with UWA’s commitment to promoting domestic tourism and ensuring that wildlife experiences are accessible to all Ugandans, particularly students and communities in eastern Uganda.

“Many Ugandans cannot easily access our national parks due to distance and costs,” Dr. Musinguzi noted. “This regional zoo will bring wildlife closer to communities, schools, and families, serving not just as a center of conservation education but also as a catalyst for economic activity in the surrounding areas.”

The Executive Director also called on the Members of Parliament to continue supporting UWA, noting that their backing is critical in completing ongoing infrastructure like the Mbale Regional Zoo. He explained that the project is designed with community inclusion in mind, casual labourers are being sourced from surrounding villages, and animal feeds will be procured locally to support livelihoods in the area.

Hon. Masaba Karim, the area MP and shadow Minister for Tourism and Wildlife, and Antiquities expressed his delight at the progress made so far. “It’s incredible to see that in under a year, the first phase is nearly complete. As a representative of this area, I am proud and excited. I want to assure UWA of my full support for this and other tourism initiatives,” he said.

The visit provided MPs with a hands-on appreciation of UWA’s efforts to decentralize wildlife experiences and contribute to the national tourism agenda through innovation and regional equity. The Mbale Regional Zoo is one of several upcoming projects aimed at expanding wildlife-based tourism beyond the traditional park system, making it more inclusive and sustainable.

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