From June 22nd to 24th, 2026, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), in collaboration with the Uganda Wildlife Research and Training College (UWRTC), hosted the inaugural National Biodiversity and Conservation Research Symposium. This event brought together researchers from universities, government bodies, conservation groups, and international partners to discuss how science should support conservation decisions in Uganda.

The symposium, held at Kampala Nile Resort in Namanve under the theme "Biodiversity Under Threat: Science, Innovation and Collaborative Responses," was opened by UWA Executive Director Dr. James Musingzi. He emphasized the crucial role of research in tackling the increasing threats to biodiversity, stating, "We must keep producing scientific evidence to guide conservation decisions. Biodiversity is essential for our survival and development, and conservation efforts must be driven by research and innovation."

Dr. Musinguzi revealed UWA’s plan to launch a dedicated Wildlife Research Journal to offer researchers a reputable platform for sharing scientific results and promoting evidence-based wildlife management throughout Uganda. He called on the government, development partners, and conservation organizations to boost funding for scientific research, stressing that successful conservation depends on reliable data.

He also expressed the hope that the symposium would become an annual national event where scientists, policymakers, and conservation managers can regularly share knowledge and innovations.

Uganda Wildlife Research and Training College Principal Mr. Robert Baluku described the symposium as a significant step towards enhancing the country’s conservation research framework. He explained that one key reason for organizing the event was to close the gap between research institutions and field practitioners while encouraging innovation that directly supports biodiversity conservation and wildlife management. The symposium also provided a platform for emerging scientists and students to interact with experienced researchers and policymakers as Uganda seeks homegrown solutions to increasingly complex environmental issues.

Baluku stressed that research institutions have a duty not only to generate knowledge but also to ensure that scientific evidence reaches decision-makers and leads to practical conservation actions.

UWA Board Chairperson Dr. James Kalema urged conservationists to adopt scientific innovation and international cooperation to address biodiversity loss, emphasizing, "We cannot protect what we do not understand. Advancing genetic research, scientific innovation, and global collaboration is vital to stop biodiversity loss, restore damaged ecosystems, and secure a sustainable future for life on Earth."

His remarks highlighted the growing significance of modern technologies such as genetics, ecological monitoring, and data analytics in enhancing wildlife conservation amidst increasing pressures from climate change, habitat destruction, invasive species, and human activities.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, the Guest of Honor, Dr. Bashir Ajer, noted that the symposium is timely as Uganda continues to face emerging conservation challenges like human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss, ecosystem degradation, and rising pressure on protected areas. He called for stronger integration of scientific research into the operational activities of both the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and Uganda Wildlife Authority.

He commended researchers and conservation scientists for producing knowledge that supports sustainable development and urged them to ensure their work extends beyond academic publications to directly influence government policy and conservation practices, emphasizing that evidence alone, without adaptation, leads to no change. He also reaffirmed the government's dedication to research, innovation, and ecosystem restoration.

Mr. John Makombo, UWA Commissioner Biodiversity Conservation, stated that UWA is continuously strengthening partnerships with universities, research institutions, and conservation organizations to enhance understanding of wildlife populations, ecosystem health, and emerging environmental threats. He highlighted that the findings shared at the symposium illustrate the importance of collaboration between scientists and conservation practitioners in creating practical solutions to issues such as habitat degradation, climate change, and human-wildlife conflicts.

Dr. Caroline Asiimwe, Assistant Commissioner Research and Ecological Monitoring at UWA, explained that Uganda Wildlife Authority has put in place a research permit system to ensure that scientific studies conducted in protected areas align with national conservation priorities while upholding high ethical and technical standards. She noted that researchers must submit detailed proposals for review by UWA’s technical team before permits are granted, after which the Authority provides field coordination and oversight to ensure the research directly benefits biodiversity conservation.

Dr. Asiimwe encouraged researchers to share their results with UWA upon completing their studies, emphasizing that scientific evidence generated through research is vital for guiding wildlife management decisions, policy development, and long-term conservation planning.

The symposium also highlighted ongoing scientific tools such as the EarthRanger application, which is used to monitor wildlife across various Conservation Areas. This tool has proven effective in addressing human-wildlife conflicts by providing real-time information that assists rangers during patrols.

A broad range of topics were discussed by various researchers and conservationists during the symposium, including wildlife ecology, biodiversity monitoring, ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, invasive species management, community conservation, protected area management, and emerging technologies supporting conservation research. These discussions reflect Uganda’s growing scientific capacity to develop local solutions for local conservation challenges.

Uganda is recognized as one of Africa’s most biologically diverse countries, home to about half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, over 1,000 bird species, hundreds of mammal species, and thousands of plant species spread across forests, wetlands, savannas, and freshwater ecosystems.

Nevertheless, this biodiversity faces increasing threats from habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, climate change, invasive species, and rising competition for land and natural resources. These challenges underscore the urgent need for strong scientific research to guide conservation investments and policy measures.