Over 1100 applicants vie for 140 UWA ranger slot

RUBIRIZI - Approximately 1,185 youths from Rubirizi and neighbouring districts, especially Kasese turned up to participate in the recruitment exercise for Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers, an opportunity that required only 140 successful candidates.

The event, which was characterised by a high level of selection and verification, was conducted at the UWA offices situated at Katungunguru in Rubirizi district, just after the Kazinga Channel on the Kasese–Mbarara highway within Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Speaking to New Vision on April 21, 2026, at his Katungunguru-based office, Frederick Eria Kisame, the chief warden for the Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area, disclosed that the applicants were subjected to a number of tests, including a five-kilometre run during the Monday exercise.

"Those who succeeded in running were subjected to medical check-ups, not forgetting that we also verified their academic documents, as the recruitment procedures state clearly," Kisame disclosed.

Kisame further stated that the major intention of the countrywide exercise is to address the challenge of understaffing, but also amplify service delivery to the ever-surging number of tourists who yearn to experience the country’s natural endowments, often described as the Pearl of Africa.

"But again, poaching remains a major challenge, and once these 140 successfully finish their training, they will support us with enough manpower to fight the vice," he said.

Kisame subsequently warned the community against poaching and other forms of encroachment on the protected area, noting that tourism is among the leading earning sectors of the country, supporting service delivery for citizens.

"People in districts with communities that neighbour the park benefit from the 20% annual UWA revenues but equally tap a lot of juicy opportunities that come along with the tourists that traverse in their areas to access their intended destinations," Kisame said.

How the recruitment ended

Kisame revealed that, unlike in previous recruitment exercises, no fatalities were recorded, attributing the outcome to the strict briefing of applicants, including cautioning them against overexertion during the run.

"However, we only had two referrals of male applicants who were unconscious after the run, but we instantly availed them with ample first aid, medication and as we talk now, they are steadily improving," he said.

Kenneth Obigaba Bigezikyi, a member of the UWA Board of Trustees and the human resource committee, said the applicants came from Kasese, Bunyangabu, Fort Portal, Bunyaruguru, Rukungiri and Kanungu, among other districts.

Ignatius Mujulizi, a parent who had escorted his son, commended UWA for holding a recruitment process that was free of corruption.

Some participants, including Clovice Tumwine from Fort Portal and Esther Katusabe Atooki, who completed the five-kilometre race, testified that the exercise was based on merit.

"I travelled all the way from Fort because I have been jobless, and hopefully this one becomes my breakthrough," Tumwine said.