Uganda’s wildlife conservation efforts have made significant strides in restoring endangered species and protecting biodiversity.
However, as the country joins the world in celebrating World Wildlife Day 2025, conservationists warn that these achievements are at risk due to limited funding, poaching, and habitat loss.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is calling for urgent investment to sustain the progress made in wildlife protection.
Uganda is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, hosting more than 50% of Africa’s bird species, 8% of global mammal diversity, and nearly 54% of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
While conservation strategies have played a crucial role in increasing wildlife populations, challenges persist.
Over the years, Uganda’s wildlife numbers have steadily rebounded.
Mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have grown from 400 in 2015 to over about 500 today.
Elephants, which once stood at 30,000 in 1960 before plummeting to 1,900 in 1995, have now recovered to 7,975 by 2020.
Southern White Rhinos, previously extinct in Uganda, have risen from 8 in 2006 to 42 by July 2023.
Buffalo numbers, which dropped from 60,000 in 1960 to 18,000 in 1995, have surged to over 44,163.
Giraffes, once 2,500 in 1960 but declining to 250 by 1995, now stand at 1,968.
Uganda Kobs, which were 70,000 in 1960 before reducing to 30,000 in 1995, have increased to 175,590.
UWA has intensified anti-poaching operations by deploying more rangers, establishing community intelligence networks, utilizing drones, constructing electric fencing, and employing sniffer dogs to track illegal wildlife activities.
However, Sam Mwandha the Executive Director at UWA notes that ranger patrols remain stretched, leaving wildlife and their habitats vulnerable.
Despite these gains, Mwandha, warns that without proper funding, the successes achieved could be reversed.
" Invasive species remain a major problem, and we can't clear them without finances. Poaching continues to threaten key species, and human activity is shrinking wildlife habitats and increasing human-wildlife conflict. Population explosion is affecting wildlife as people encroach on their habitat," Mwanda told Nile Post.
Mwandha says staff numbers have grown too, which has helped intensify conservation efforts, increasing the population of wildlife in most of the parks and wildlife reserves. Though lions are decreasing.
Tourism, which heavily relies on wildlife, contributes over 7% to Uganda’s GDP and remains the second-highest foreign exchange earner.
Tom Butime, the Tourism Minister emphasizes the urgent need for long-term financing to sustain conservation gains.
"Wildlife conservation is not just an environmental priority—it is an economic necessity. Uganda’s tourism industry contributes over 5.5% to our GDP and employs thousands, especially in rural communities. We must secure long-term financing to sustain these gains," he said.
He revealed that the government will launch a 10-year Strategic Action Plan for Large Carnivore Conservation aimed at protecting dwindling populations of lions, leopards, and cheetahs by integrating community-led conservation efforts.
As Uganda marks World Wildlife Day 2025 on March 3, under the theme "Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet," experts warn that without sustainable investment, conservation efforts could be undone. They are now urging the government, conservationists, and the private sector to step up funding to ensure the survival of Uganda’s iconic wildlife and the long-term benefits of conservation-driven tourism.