By Kahumuzah Blessing Agnetta

Transformative leadership extends beyond holding positions of authority and requires patriotism, integrity, discipline, accountability and an understanding of national priorities

Forty-seven senior officers of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) have completed a three-week Transformative Leadership Training at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, aimed at strengthening their leadership capacity, patriotism and commitment to national development. The training concluded with a pass-out ceremony on Friday, 6 November 2026.

The programme covered a range of topics, including political economy, patriotic discipline, Pan-Africanism, democratic practices, ideological orientation, Uganda's history and the role of public institutions in advancing the country's national development agenda. The officers also participated in physical exercises, drills and practical training aimed at strengthening discipline, resilience and teamwork.

Presiding over the pass-out ceremony, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Tom Butime, congratulated the officers upon successfully completing the course and commended UWA's leadership for investing in staff capacity development. He noted that the training was particularly important given UWA's growing responsibilities in wildlife conservation, tourism development and the management of Uganda's protected areas.

The Minister pointed out that wildlife conservation plays an important role in Uganda's economy through tourism, employment creation and foreign exchange earnings, making it necessary for officers to demonstrate competence, discipline, integrity and accountability in executing their duties.

He challenged the graduates to translate the knowledge acquired into improved service delivery, stressing that patriotism should be reflected in how public officers undertake their responsibilities. “Patriotism is best demonstrated through service,” he said, explaining that protecting wildlife from poachers, refusing bribes, treating visitors respectfully and using public resources responsibly are all ways of demonstrating commitment to the country.

Hon. Butime also underscored the importance of maintaining positive relationships between UWA and communities living around protected areas. He noted that officers must be responsive to community concerns, particularly those relating to human-wildlife conflict, while ensuring that conservation laws and regulations are upheld. “The way our officers treat communities can make a significant difference in securing public support for conservation,” he said.

Reflecting on the challenges faced by wildlife rangers, the Minister acknowledged the difficult working conditions in protected areas, including long patrol hours, challenging terrain and security risks. He called for adequate deployment and continued capacity building to strengthen wildlife protection while ensuring the safety of personnel.

He urged the graduates to maintain the discipline and commitment demonstrated during the training and called upon UWA's management to create an environment that enables them to apply and share their newly acquired skills.

Speaking on behalf of UWA, Acting Executive Director and Commissioner for Biodiversity Management, Mr. John Makombo, appreciated NALI for its contribution towards developing the officers' leadership capabilities.

Mr. Makombo, said the training should translate into practical changes in the officers' daily responsibilities and interactions with their colleagues. He encouraged the graduates to demonstrate improved discipline, punctuality, teamwork and leadership while passing on the knowledge acquired to staff under their supervision. “Don't just leave these skills here as you go. Don't just give us a show, but carry the skills and go with them and use them,” he urged.

Mr. Makombo further challenged the officers to become agents of change within UWA, setting an example for other staff and contributing towards improved institutional performance. He acknowledged the support of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) towards UWA's operations and capacity-building initiatives and reaffirmed the Authority's commitment to maintaining its partnership with NALI to train more staff.

Representing the NALI Director, Deputy Director Colonel Birungi congratulated the officers and commended UWA for recognizing the importance of leadership development in achieving its institutional mandate.

He explained that transformative leadership extends beyond holding positions of authority and requires patriotism, integrity, discipline, accountability and an understanding of national priorities.

According to Colonel Birungi, UWA officers are not only responsible for protecting wildlife but are also custodians of national assets that contribute significantly to Uganda's development.

He encouraged the graduates to demonstrate the impact of their training through improved leadership, institutional performance and relationships with the communities they serve. “Let your subordinates experience better leadership. Let your institution register improved performance and let the communities you serve appreciate the value of your work,” he said.

The impact of the programme was also reflected in the experiences shared by the participating officers. Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Course Senior Mr. Raymond Kato said the training had contributed towards reshaping their mindsets and strengthening their understanding of leadership and national development. He explained that the combination of ideological lectures, morning drills and field exercises had helped build resilience, discipline, unity and a greater sense of responsibility among the participants.

He expressed appreciation to UWA's leadership and the NALI faculty for organizing the training, noting that the officers were returning to their respective duty stations better prepared to contribute towards institutional and national transformation.

UWA Communication Officer Nakayima Diana Kibuuka, who was also amongst the graduating team, emphasized Pan-Africanism as one of the key lessons learned, especially the need to create African-driven solutions to the continent's challenges. She noted that the training also expanded their perspective on patriotism, highlighting that it involves more than just expressing love for one's country or holding a leadership role; it requires actively working towards the achievement of national development goals.

She further noted that UWA's Communications Department has a responsibility to strengthen strategic communication that highlights wildlife conservation's contribution to Uganda's socio-economic transformation.

Meanwhile, NALI Weapons Training and Drill Instructor Staff Sergeant Chief Tumuhairwe Onesimus said the programme combined ideological education with practical exercises to strengthen the officers' competence, confidence and discipline.

He explained that the training included firearms handling, shooting exercises and parade drills, which enabled participants to develop practical skills while reinforcing teamwork and coordination. He expressed confidence that the officers would demonstrate improved punctuality, discipline and professional conduct upon returning to their duty stations and transfer the knowledge acquired to their respective teams.

During the ceremony, NALI Head of Faculty and Academics Lt. Col. Arthur Mutebi announced that all 47 officers had successfully completed the course. Outstanding participants were recognized for their performance in academics, leadership, parade command and resilience, with Mr. Julius Ogwana emerging as the best overall student, scoring 84.48 per cent.

Through the programme, UWA seeks to strengthen a culture of effective, patriotic and transformational leadership among its senior officers, reinforcing their capacity to conserve Uganda's wildlife resources, improve service delivery and contribute towards the country's broader socio-economic development agenda.