This Sunday — March 3 — Uganda will join the rest of the world in celebrating Wildlife Day.

In the buildup to the commemoration, the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC), formerly known as The Zoo, has taken the conservation gospel to schools. 

Learners from different secondary schools have been sensitized about the relevance and benefits of conserving the environment and wildlife. 

The campaign started with St Mary's College, Kisubi, which is located off the Kampala-Entebbe Road in Wakiso district.

Students from other schools have also been engaged in participatory workshops regarding wildlife conservation.

Phillip Katabulawo, the UWEC outreach conservation education officer, said engaging the young generation is one sure way of sustainably conserving the environment and its fauna.

Students from several schools in the central region gathered at St Marys college Kisubi during the Wildlife sensitisation workshop organised by UWEC. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)

The UWEC team in partnership with other conservation organizations and agencies also engaged learners from Mary Reparatrix Girls SS, Entebbe Secondary School, Rubaga Girls School, Mugezi Secondary School, Kitante High School, Kiira College Butiki, Lake View Secondary School and Kyambogo College.

Others include Kabowa High School, Upwards and Onwards School, Global High School, Comprehensive Secondary School Entebbe, St Stephens Bajja and Got Apwoyo Seed Secondary School, Nwoya.

The team later proceeded to Kyenjojo district, where they organised a primary schools quiz competitions on Friday, ahead of the World Wildlife Day national celebrations to be held in the same district.

This year's theme is: 'Digital innovation for conservation', aiming to trigger a sense of conservation through technological advancement.

'Humans should take responsibility'

Isaac Mujasi works as a coordinator for USAID's programme to combat wildlife crime that is being implemented through the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

He explained that wildlife conservation should start with the love and understanding of domestic animals.

"We should also take note that wild animals are becoming extinct at the hands of humans. Since we humans are responsible for that, we should equally take the responsibility to ensure their recovery," said Mujasi.

He urged young people to inculcate in themselves an urge of preserving and conserving Uganda's natural endowments.

Dr Caroline Asiimwe of Biodiversity Resilience Organization said climate change and other natural catastrophes affect wildlife. 

She told students that the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) compensates all victims of wildlife injury and destruction. 

"Whereas it is okay for an individual to defend themselves against eminent wildlife attacks, it should not be a better option to attack and kill wild animals even when they destroy your crops," said Asiimwe.

Sandra Namara, a student of Kyambogo College, lauded UWEC and all partners for taking the conservation gospel to schools.

"This is really timely, given that the school curriculum was adjusted to include wildlife studies and conservation.

Another student, Ryan Kaweesa, who is also a member of the Wildlife Clubs of Uganda, appealed to conservation bodies for continuous engagement with learners across the country. 

Phillip Katabulawo, the UWEC outreach conservation education officer. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)

"Such engagements should start from schools in areas around national parks and game reserves, then spread out to other schools across the country," he said. 

Conservation education books

In 2021, UWEC launched the first volume of conservation education books meant for secondary schools in Uganda. 

The book teaches about biodiversity and ecosystems and it targets learners both in lower and upper secondary level. 

While launching the book, Dr. James Musinguzi, the UWEC executive director, spoke of the importance of the production.

"Seventy-five per cent (75%) of the diseases are zoonotic, which happen as a result of habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. By launching this book, we are bridging the knowledge gap through creating massive awareness about environmental conservation in Uganda," he said then.

UWEC also embarked on plans to develop the national education strategy for Uganda which will outline different activities plus the mode of delivery of conservation education in the country.

According to David Musingo, the UWEC manager in charge of education, there will be other volumes published in line with conservation education for secondary schools. 

The second volume will touch on pollution, waste management and emerging environmental issues.

The third volume will focus on wildlife conservation and tourism.

The fourth volume which be about water, energy and technology.

Tourism minister Col Tom Butime has previously said that although Uganda occupies only 2% of the world's land area, it ranks among the top ten most bio-diverse countries in the world. 

"It is important to build a conservation culture in Uganda, with emphasis on the young generation since they are the majority but detached from nature yet they are expected to be the stewards for conservation of wildlife resources."