Uganda Wildlife Authority is a semi‑autonomous government agency established in August 1996, formalized under the Uganda Wildlife Statute (later the Uganda Wildlife Act 2000, amended 2019), merging the Uganda National Parks and Game & Fisheries departments.
Overseen by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, its mandate is to conserve, manage, and regulate wildlife resources both inside protected areas and in surrounding communities.
Located at Plot 7, Kira Road, Kamwookya, Kampala (between Uganda Museum and the British High Commission).
Governed by a nine‑member board of trustees, appointed by the Minister of Tourism. The board’s term is three years; the current Executive Director is Sam Mwandha (since March 2018).
Manages 10 National Parks, 12 Wildlife Reserves, 13–14 Wildlife Sanctuaries, and 5 Community Wildlife Areas.
Notable parks under its management:
Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga Gorilla, Kibale, Lake Mburo, Rwenzori Mountains, Semuliki, Kidepo Valley, and Mount Elgon.
Vision: To be a self‑sustaining wildlife conservation agency that makes Uganda an outstanding ecotourism destination.
Mission: Conserve, economically develop, and sustainably manage wildlife and protected areas in partnership with neighboring communities and stakeholders, benefiting both Ugandans and the global community.
Wildlife and Protected Area Management
Policing against poaching, illegal logging, and encroachment. Daily patrols by rangers help protect biodiversity.
Tourism Regulation & Promotion
Issuing permits (e.g., gorilla and chimp trekking), setting park fees, licensing tour operators, and promoting park activities/events.
Community Engagement
Scholarships, jobs (guides, rangers), revenue sharing (e.g., 30% of park fees), community education on conservation .
Infrastructure & Logistics
Building ranger stations, managing lodging within parks, patrol routes, and responding promptly to wildlife incidents .
Research & Conservation Innovation
Scientific monitoring, adoption of AI-enabled tools (e.g., vulture tracking to detect poaching), captive breeding & re‑introduction (e.g., rhinos at Ziwa).
Policy Enforcement & Legislation
Enforcing the Wildlife Act, handling human–wildlife conflict, and imposing penalties on illegal activities .
AI-driven vulture tracking in Murchison Falls NP helps detect poaching via behavioral alerts.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary partnership: UWA supports rhino re‑introduction, now home to ~41 rhinos.
Lion and carnivore monitoring at Queen Elizabeth NP through Uganda Carnivore Program.
UWA’s work ensures:
Biodiversity preservation across diverse ecosystems (savannahs, forests, mountains).
Economic impact through wildlife tourism.
Community upliftment via jobs, revenue sharing, and education.
Global conservation leadership with innovative, scalable technologies.
Official website: ugandawildlife.org
Social media: Active on Facebook (over 71K likes) and X/Twitter.
For permits & visits: Obtain trekking permits, park passes, and book guided safaris directly via UWA.