The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has inaugurated a new cohort of Honorary Wildlife Officers, marking a significant step in strengthening conservation efforts through community engagement and citizen participation.
The inauguration ceremony, held alongside the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Honorary Wildlife Officers, brought together conservation leaders, government officials, and key stakeholders from the tourism and conservation sectors. The dual event underscored UWA’s growing focus on institutionalising collaboration and reinforcing grassroots conservation structures.
UWA Executive Director Dr James Musinguzi described the inauguration as both a recognition of commitment and a strategic move to deepen conservation impact across the country.
“This occasion allows us to reflect on the contribution of honorary wildlife officers, strengthen collaboration, and officially welcome new members into the conservation fraternity,” he said.
Dr Musinguzi emphasised that the Honorary Wildlife Officers framework, established under the Uganda Wildlife Act 2019, plays a vital role in advancing conservation through community mobilisation, advocacy, intelligence sharing, and environmental stewardship.
He noted that the newly inducted officers are a crucial link between conservation institutions and local communities.
He further highlighted ongoing investments aimed at strengthening conservation capacity, including improved infrastructure such as park gates, ranger outposts, and visitor information centres, as well as the planned acquisition of over 50 Land Cruiser vehicles to enhance field operations.
UWA is also increasingly leveraging technology to boost surveillance and anti-poaching efforts.
On the conservation front, Dr Musinguzi pointed to continued wildlife census activities, expansion of protected areas, and the development of new tourism products, particularly around chimpanzee habitats. However, he acknowledged persistent challenges such as human-wildlife conflict and invasive species, calling for collective action to address them.
A total of 44 Honorary Wildlife Officers were inaugurated during the ceremony, expanding UWA’s volunteer conservation corps at a time when the Authority is ramping up efforts ahead of the 2026/27 financial year.
Representing Tom Butiime, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Basil Ajer, the Director Tourism, highlighted the strong link between conservation and Uganda’s tourism growth.
He revealed that Uganda’s tourism sector generated over 1.6 billion US dollars in revenue in the past year, the highest in the country’s history, with international arrivals surpassing 1.6 million visitors.
Additionally, national park visitation rose to over 259,000, signalling growing global interest in Uganda’s природ attractions.
“These are clear indicators that conservation is working,” Ajer said.
“Wildlife resources remain central to tourism growth, foreign exchange earnings, job creation, and national development.”
He described the inauguration of Honorary Wildlife Officers as a milestone in strengthening citizen participation in conservation, urging the officers to use their influence and networks to promote responsible environmental practices.
UWA Board Chairperson Professor James Karema underscored the central role of communities in conservation success, describing them as indispensable partners.
“Communities are our number one partners in conservation. We must continue building bridges with them and ensure they benefit from wildlife resources if conservation is to be sustainable,” he said.
He urged the newly inaugurated officers to embrace their roles as visible and active ambassadors of conservation, promoting awareness, environmental stewardship, and peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife.
Honorary Wildlife Officers are instrumental in supporting UWA initiatives, including conservation awareness campaigns and oversight of revenue sharing programs, where 20 per cent of park entry fees are reinvested into community projects such as health, education, and infrastructure.