The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Colonel (Rtd) Tom Butime, has acknowledged the profound impact of digital technology and innovations on reshaping traditional wildlife conservation strategies.
Butime emphasized that digital tools, including drones, satellite tracking, DNA barcoding, and social media, play a crucial role in contemporary wildlife conservation.
He noted that these technologies enhance the understanding of wildlife behaviour, track illegal wildlife trade and trafficking, predict biodiversity threats, and inform effective conservation strategies.
“This has significantly transformed traditional wildlife conservation strategies. While we grapple with human-induced conservation challenges, recognizing their pivotal role, it is essential to ensure seamless synergies and transdisciplinary collaboration with all stakeholders for the digital transformation of wildlife,” said Butime.
He disclosed that the Ministry of Tourism will advocate for increased investments and research into these digital approaches, ensuring a future where humans and wildlife coexist harmoniously.
“Uganda remains committed to leveraging digital innovations in implementing regional and international protocols, conventions, and related Multilateral Environmental Agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and the Convention on Migratory Species,” he emphasized.
The Minister made these remarks at the Uganda Media Center during the launch of the World Wildlife Day (2024).
World Wildlife Day, observed on the 3rd of March every year, celebrates the diverse forms of wild fauna and flora, raising awareness of the benefits of conservation to humanity. Uganda’s national celebrations will take place in Kyenjojo District, with the President of the Republic of Uganda as the Chief Guest.
Improved conservation efforts have yielded promising results, with populations steadily recovering. Notable examples include buffalo increasing from 25,000 to 44,163, elephants rising from 2000 to 7,975, giraffes increasing from 350 to 2,072, and mountain gorillas growing from 320 to 459 between 1999 and 2022.
The successful reintroduction of Rhinos in Uganda, extinct since the early 1980s, has seen the initial population of 8 multiply to over 32 individuals.
However, Sam Mwandha, the Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, emphasized the need for additional efforts to counter threats such as poaching, retaliatory killings, deforestation, and encroachment on wildlife habitats, particularly affecting keystone species like chimpanzees and lions.
Mwandha highlighted the importance of digital transformation and innovations, citing the effective use of drones and cameras around Queen Elizabeth in protecting lions. He stressed that digital technology innovations are crucial to wildlife conservation.
Dr James Musinguzi, the Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Conservation and Education Center, emphasized placing people at the centre of conservation for meaningful strides. He noted that technological advancements and innovation are critical for spreading awareness, conservation efforts, and wildlife monitoring.
Simon Peter Weredwong, the Conservation Programs Manager at WWF, called for increased collaborations between non-governmental organizations and public entities to enhance conservation efforts. Since 2021, collaborations with UWA have successfully deployed drones and cameras in Rwenzori Mountain National Park, transforming conservation.
Weredwong urged the government, through MTWA, to consider incentives for technologies brought into the country for conservation, facilitating their deployment in other protected areas.