Senior staff of Uganda Wildlife Authority have been urged to do things differently by focusing on activities that directly support the Authority’s core mandate of wildlife conservation, as they draft the Budget Framework Paper (BFP) for FY2026/27.

This call was made during the official opening of the organization’s annual budget planning meeting held at Kolping Hotel in Masindi, which was attended by Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, Chief Wardens, and other senior staff from Headquarters and various Conservation Areas nationwide.

Jimmy Mugisa, the Commissioner Finance and Administration, representing the Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi, urged participants to ensure their planning and operations align with the General Management Plans and the UWA Strategic Plan.

The Executive Director highlighted that the successful merger of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) represents a significant milestone towards creating a more unified, efficient, and impactful institution—one that not only safeguards the country’s wildlife but also promotes conservation education and awareness.

UWA’s responsibilities have expanded following the elevation of several forest and wildlife reserves to national parks and conservation areas, which are now under the Authority’s management pending parliamentary approval. These newly upgraded areas require urgent and deliberate planning—not only to establish a physical and operational presence but also to invest in infrastructure, human resources, and community engagement.

As UWA prepares to conclude its involvement in the IFPA-CD Project, funded by the World Bank—a project that has been crucial in enhancing UWA’s capacity, particularly in infrastructure development and community programs—Dr. Musinguzi emphasized the need to sustain the project’s achievements. He stated that the activities supported by the project must be integrated into UWA’s core programs and adequately funded in the upcoming budget.

The Executive Director also drew attention to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, now under UWA’s jurisdiction. He noted that although modest in size, the gardens hold significant potential for conservation education, recreation, tourism, and research, and stressed the importance of including its development and maintenance in resource planning.

Dr. Musinguzi reminded participants that during the ongoing national elections, as a government institution, they must remain neutral, vigilant, and focused on UWA’s mandates, providing steady leadership to ensure the security of staff, assets, and operations.

The meeting serves as a crucial platform for management to review achievements, challenges, and lessons learned, and to strengthen strategies that promote effective conservation.