The National Forestry Authority (NFA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) to establish regional centres.
The MoU was signed Friday at NFA headquarters in Bugolobi, Kampala by NFA Executive Director, Tom Okello, and UWEC Executive Director, Dr. James Musinguzi.
The MoU involves the allocation of land for four Regional Satellite Wildlife Conservation Education Centres (RSWCEC) in Mbale, Gulu, Kyenjonjo and Mbarara.
While officiating at the occasion, NFA ED Okello highlighted the key areas of concentration of the work, which include Mbale, Ruti, Abera and Oruha Central Forest Reserves (CFRs).
“We will bring on board the local communities to appreciate the benefits of conservation,” he told journalists.
According to him, NFA is concentrating the eco-tourism and modernizing tourism activities in the areas of Budongo, Kalinzu and Achuya Central Forest Reserves.
On his part, Entebbe Zoo ED, Dr Musinguzi thanked NFA for the support, commitment and efforts to be able to manage the resources together.
“We will embark on the work immediately after the signing of the MOU,” he revealed.
He said the area currently set aside for the establishment of the centres is 60 acres from each forest reserve.
According to Dr Musinguzi, the establishment of these centres is based on the will of the people to contribute to wildlife and environment conservation education.
He promised that jobs will be created in the process, and Mbale will be the first area of work.
“It has taken time, but here we are,” he concluded.
The signing of the MoU marked the beginning of the activities to establish the satellite centres that will strengthen forest protection and conservation efforts.