The Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officially merged to form one strong institution. In spite of having something in common, the two have been working
independently of each for over 30 years. The Board of Trustees at UWEC handed over its responsibilities to UWA Board of Directors at Sheraton Hotel Kampala in mid October bringing together the expertise
needed for better wildlife conservation education in Uganda. The presiding state minister for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka also launched the National Conservation
Education Strategy.
The UWEC Act, 2015, established UWEC to facilitate the promotion and conservation of Uganda’s unique wildlife resources through conservation education various school and community outreach programs. The center also showcases Uganda’s rich biodiversity including primates such as chimpanzee, black and white colobus monkeys, patas monkeys; herbivores which include elephants, buffalo, Jackson’s hartebeest, common eland, bushbucks, impala, and reedbuck; carnivores, including lions, leopards, serval cats, tigers; birds, and reptiles including the African Rocky Python. The center also maintains hospitality and recreation facilities including children’s play center and cottages which
promotes tourism.
There’s also a wildlife Bio-Data at the center. UWEC helped to transform what was formerly Entebbe zoo and a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center into one of the best conservation
education institutions in Africa. According to Ministry of Tourism of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities, UWEC received 660,452 visitors in 2024 compared to 337,357 in 2017, making for an important
milestone in tourism development in Uganda. Now under the merger UWEC has been positioned as Entebbe Community Conservation Area (ECCA) which includes the National Botanical Gardens and the proposed 4 regional satellite wildlife conservation education centers in Gulu, Kyenjojo, Mbarara, and Mbale districts headed by David Musingo, the newly appointed chief warden.
UWA is responsible for managing Uganda’s protected areas including 10 national parks and 11 wildlife reserves, ensuring conservation of wildlife including wildlife on the local community lands. Coexisting peacefully with wildlife, UWA’s community conservation department ensures that conservation benefits people too through revenue sharing scheme among other sustainable practices. The law enforcement
unit enforces law to combat poaching, encroachment, illegal wildlife trade thereby safeguarding wildlife upon which Uganda’s tourism sector thrives. “By combining UWA’s operational expertise with UWEC’s public outreach and education, we are creating a stronger institution to better serve our wildlife and people, Hon Martin said, the merge is critical to improving our wildlife management, enhancing public education and promoting sustainable development.“
The merger comes after the Cabinet adopted Rationalization of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure Bill in 2021. This policy aims to stop duplication of roles among government agencies and enhance resource allocation and service delivery for economic growth.
