Hon. Butime Launches USD 3.5 Million Kidepo Landscape Integrated Conservation and Development Project to Strengthen Conservation and Community Livelihoods
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Col. Tom Butime, has officially launched the Kidepo Landscape Integrated Conservation and Development Project (KLICDP) 2026-2030, a five-year initiative aimed at strengthening biodiversity conservation, improving community livelihoods and ensuring coexistence of communities with wildlife across the Kidepo landscape.
The launch event, held in Kitgum, brought together the Minister of State for Tourism, Hon. Susan Nakawuki, officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority Dr. James Musinguzi and UWA Commissioners , local government leaders, development partners and community representatives from the Kidepo landscape.
The USD 3.5 million project is a GEF-8 child project under the Global Wildlife Program (GWP), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as the GEF Agency. It is implemented by the Ministry of Tourism and Uganda Wildlife Authority in partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and District Local Governments of Kaabong, Kotido, Abim, Karenga, Agago, Kitgum and Lamwo.
Speaking at the launch, Hon. Col. Tom Butime emphasized the importance of adopting an integrated approach that places communities at the centre of conservation efforts.
“The future of conservation in Uganda depends on our ability to protect our natural heritage while ensuring that communities living alongside wildlife benefit from conservation. The Kidepo Landscape Integrated Conservation and Development Project demonstrates our commitment to creating a balance between biodiversity protection, sustainable tourism, and improved livelihoods.”
The Minister added that conservation success must be reflected not only in the protection of wildlife but also in the wellbeing and opportunities created for communities.
“Lasting conservation in Kidepo will be measured not only by wildlife numbers, but by the security, dignity and opportunities it brings to the people who share this landscape with wildlife.”
The Minister of State for Tourism, Hon. Susan Nakawuki, noted that the project provides an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between government, communities and conservation partners.
“The Kidepo landscape represents one of Uganda’s greatest natural assets. Through this project, we are strengthening partnerships that will help communities coexist with wildlife, benefit from tourism and actively participate in protecting their environment for future generations.”
The Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority Dr. James Musinguzi, highlighted the importance of coordinated landscape-level conservation beyond protected area boundaries.
“Wildlife conservation cannot be achieved by protected areas alone. The Kidepo landscape requires a shared commitment from government institutions, communities and partners to address challenges such as human-wildlife conflict, habitat degradation, and threats to biodiversity.”
The project stake holders welcomed the launch as an important step towards advancing conservation and sustainable development.
“The Kidepo Landscape Integrated Conservation and Development Project reflects the power of partnership in addressing complex conservation challenges. By combining biodiversity protection with community development, we can create lasting solutions for both people and nature,” representatives of the development partners said.
Conserving Biodiversity, Enhancing Livelihoods, Sustaining Kidepo Landscape
The Kidepo Landscape, anchored by Kidepo Valley National Park in Uganda’s remote northeastern region, is one of Africa’s most significant conservation frontiers. It is home to more than 77 mammal species and 475 bird species, making it a globally important area for biodiversity conservation and ecological resilience.
However, the landscape faces growing pressures, including increasing human-wildlife conflict, crop and property destruction, climate variability, water scarcity, poaching, invasive species and the risk of zoonotic diseases. Many wildlife species increasingly move beyond protected areas into community lands, creating challenges for livelihoods and conservation.
The KLICDP will conduct an integrated conservation and development model that promotes biodiversity protection, human wildlife conflicts reduction, invasive species management, fire management, promote community resilience, improved local governance, sustainable tourism opportunities, and peaceful human-wildlife coexistence.
Running from July 2026 to June 2030, the project is part of the Global Wildlife Program, a 38-country initiative across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean focused on combating illegal wildlife trade, promoting wildlife-based economies, strengthening biodiversity conservation, and supporting communities living alongside wildlife.
Through KLICDP, Uganda aims to secure the long-term future of the Kidepo landscape by ensuring biodiversity conservation, empowered communities, people and wildlife coexistence.
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