In a move aimed at building stronger ties and tackling shared challenges, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Uganda Police Force have agreed to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions in order to tackle wildlife crime in the country.

This resolution came out of a high-level meeting held today at the Police Headquarters in Naguru, between the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Abbas Byakagaba, and a team of UWA top management led by the Executive Director, Dr. James Musinguzi.

The two sides held candid discussions and acknowledged the threat of wildlife crimes and the need for a more coordinated response.

Dr. Musinguzi described the meeting as timely and productive, saying it reaffirmed both institutions’ commitment to protecting Uganda’s natural heritage. “Wildlife crime is not something UWA can fight alone. It’s increasingly sophisticated and calls for joint efforts. Today’s meeting is about rekindling our cooperation and ensuring that our teams work seamlessly together,” he said.

Mr. Byakagaba said that wildlife is a national treasure whose conservation is tied to national security, tourism, and community well-being. “We see wildlife protection not just as a conservation issue, but as a matter of national importance. Our police officers are ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with UWA to combat any threats against our protected areas,” the IGP stated. He noted that there is a need to extend the police cameras to wildlife-protected areas to effectively monitor illegal activities and ensure the wildlife is safe.

The two teams resolved to jointly draft a working document that will set out clear areas of collaboration, from intelligence sharing and coordinated patrols to training, joint investigations, and community engagement.

The meeting was also attended by senior officers from both institutions.

As Uganda continues to face growing threats from wildlife crime and habitat encroachment, the renewed partnership between UWA and Uganda Police sends a strong message that protecting the country’s wildlife is a shared responsibility and one that both institutions are ready to take on, together.