Wildlife & Conservation
Wildlife Documents
Wildlife Conservation Department is one of the three Departments that constitute the Directorate of Tourism, Wildlife and Museums and Monuments in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
Mandate
The Wildlife Conservation sector draws its mandate from the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995 as amended:- National objectives and directive principles of State policy XXIII and XXVII; Articles 39, 189(1) and 237. And Acts of Parliament:- Uganda Wildlife Act, No. 17 of 2019; Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center Act, No. 27 of 2015; and Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute Act, No. 17 of 2016.
FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT
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To formulate, policies, plans, legislation, guidelines, and strategies on conservation and sustainable development of wildlife resources;
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To provide appropriate and timely advice to Government on matters of conservation and sustainable development of wildlife resources;
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To monitor and evaluate implementation of policies, national plans, legislation, guidelines, and strategies on conservation and sustainable development of wildlife resources;
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To collect, analyze, and disseminate strategic data and information on Conservation and development of Wildlife resources, to guide national decision making on the sector at all levels;
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To develop and enforce standards on conservation and sustainable development of wildlife resources;
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To mainstream conservation and sustainable development of wildlife resources into central and local government policies , plans and programs;
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To promote and support wildlife-based private sector investments;
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To negotiate and implement Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) on wildlife conservation;
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To provide technical support for Political supervision of Statutory and Trust Agencies in the wildlife sector;
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To monitor and coordinate civil society activities in wildlife conservation;
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To mobilize resources for implementation of policies, plans and programmes on conservation and sustainable development of wildlife;
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To promote human resource capacity development on wildlife conservation and sustainable development;
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To coordinate regional and international collaboration on wildlife conservation and management;
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To regulate trade in wildlife and wildlife products. Apply for a Ugandan CITES Permit or certificate here (link of cites permit application)
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STATUTORY AGENCIES AND TRUSTS OVERSEEN BY THE DEPARTMENT
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)
This is a Statutory Agency under the Ministry responsible for wildlife, established by the Uganda Wildlife Act, No. 17 of 2019. The Agency is mandated with sustainable management of Wildlife and the Wildlife Protected Areas of Uganda in partnership with neighboring communities and other stakeholders for the benefit of the people of Uganda and the global community.
Visit https://www.ugandawildlife.org/ for more information on Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC)
This is a Statutory Agency under the Ministry responsible for wildlife, established by the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center Act, No. 27 of 2015. The Agency is mandated to provide Conservation Education and awareness across the nation to garner support for conservation. Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center also serves as the CITES Animals Rescue Centre for Uganda.
Visit https://uwec.ug/ for more information on Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center.
Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute (UWRTI)
This is a Statutory Agency under the Ministry responsible for wildlife, established by the Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute Act, No. 17 of 2016. The Institute is mandated to build human resources capacity for wildlife conservation through conservation research and training.
Visit http://uwrti.ac.ug/ for more information on Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute
Bwindi and Mgahinga Conservation Trust (BMCT)
Established in March 1995, under the Uganda Trustees Act, with a capital endowment of US $ 4.3 million from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), administered by the World Bank. It is mandated with ensuring that the biodiversity and ecosystem of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP) and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) are conserved in harmony with development needs of the surrounding communities. The Trust Management Board has the legal and fiduciary (Trustee) responsibility to ensure that the proceeds of the Trust are used to meet the objectives articulated in the Trust Deed
Visit https://bwinditrust.org/ for more information on the work of BMCT
Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT)
This was established as a combined national and international initiative and a globally recognized collaborative conservation effort, geared towards developing and implementing a long-term strategy for conservation of chimpanzees and their habitats.
Visit https://ngambaisland.org/ for more information on the work of CSWCT
The Rhino Fund Uganda (RFU)
This was established as a public private partnership initiative with the overall aim of re-introducing Rhinos in Uganda. The Fund manages the Rhino Sanctuary which is undertaking breeding for reintroduction of Rhinos into the wild.
Visit http://www.ziwarhino.com/ for more information on the work of RFU
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS IMPLEMENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT
The Department coordinates the national implementation of the following International Conventions and Agreements
Convention on International Trade in endangered species of fauna and flora (CITES). The Department is the Management Authority for Uganda competent to issue international wildlife trade permits and certificates. Visit www.cites.org for more details. Apply for a Ugandan CITES Permit here (link of cites permit application)
United Nations Convention on Migratory Species of wild animals (CMS). Visit www.cms.int for details.
Lusaka Agreement on the Cooperative Enforcement Operations Directed against Illegal trade in fauna (LA).
Visit www.lusakaagreement.org for details.
United Nations Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA). Visit www.unep-aewa.org for more details.
United Nations Agreement on the conservation of Gorillas and their Habitats. Visit www.cms.int/gorilla for more details.
Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration Treaty (GVTC). Visit www.greatervirunga.org for more details.