Wildlife report calls for urgent action despite Uganda’s conservation gains

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Uganda’s rich wildlife heritage remains a cornerstone of its economy and ecological stability, but rising human pressures threaten to reverse recent gains, according to the newly released State of Wildlife Resources Report 2026.

In a keynote speech at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) headquarters in Kampala city on April 28, 2026, tourism minister Tom Butime painted a verbal picture of a country globally recognised for its remarkable biodiversity - from iconic mammals such as elephants, mountain gorillas, tree climbing lions and giraffes.

Adding that, this is in addition to a vast array of more than 1100 different species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fungi and plant species.

“These resources form the backbone of Uganda’s natural capital, supporting tourism, rural livelihoods and essential ecosystem services such as climate regulation and water systems,” Butime said.

The good news being, that over the years, Destination Uganda has registered notable recovery in several wildlife populations, particularly among large mammals. Conservation interventions, strengthened protection measures, and community engagement have contributed to the rebound, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a leading biodiversity destination, the foreword partially reads.

However, the report warns that these gains remain very fragile.

Wildlife across the country continues to face mounting threats, including habitat loss and fragmentation driven by human settlement and agricultural expansion, illegal wildlife use, the spread of invasive species, and the effects of climate change. Increasing incidents of human–wildlife conflict are also putting pressure on both conservation efforts and community livelihoods.

Concerned citizens caution that these challenges extend beyond conservation, posing risks to tourism earnings, food security and long-term economic resilience.

The findings prescribe the need for urgent policy action, with the report calling for wildlife conservation to be fully integrated into national planning and investment priorities. Protecting biodiversity, it notes, is essential for achieving targets under Uganda’s National Development Plan IV and Vision 2040, as well as meeting international obligations such as the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The report further highlights the importance of transitioning to nature-positive development pathways that balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. It emphasises that wildlife conservation should be viewed not as a cost, but as a strategic investment in national prosperity, climate resilience and intergenerational equity.

Speaking during the event, Uganda Wildlife Authority executive director James Musinguzi said the key recommendations include strengthening governance frameworks, increasing conservation financing, adopting technology-driven monitoring and enforcement systems, restoring degraded habitats like swamps or forests and enhancing community participation and benefit-sharing mechanisms.

“We encourage stakeholders - including policymakers, development partners, the private sector, researchers and local communities - to use the report’s findings to guide decision-making and foster collective responsibility in safeguarding Uganda’s wildlife heritage,” Musinguzi said.

The message is clear: while progress has been made, the future of Uganda’s wildlife will depend on bold, coordinated action taken today.