Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Executive Director James Musinguzi has concluded a multi-day field mission in the Murchison Falls Conservation Area, commissioning key infrastructure and reinforcing his leadership’s focus on staff welfare, professionalism, and community outreach.
Musinguzi’s visit, which included stops at Paraa and Nyamahasa Outpost, aimed at team building and enhancing operational cohesion within Uganda’s largest protected area.
At Nyamahasa, he commissioned newly built ranger accommodation designed to improve living and working conditions for frontline conservation officers.
Addressing staff, Musinguzi underlined discipline, unity, and zero tolerance for poaching as essential values, calling on all rangers to recommit to UWA’s conservation mandate.
“Our strength lies in unity and professionalism,” he said. “We must ensure that our conduct reflects the trust placed in us to protect this country’s incredible biodiversity.”
As part of efforts to bolster operational effectiveness, Musinguzi announced that UWA would revisit its ranger recruitment framework to ensure it aligns with modern conservation demands.
He emphasised that future recruitments would prioritise candidates who meet evolving technical and ethical standards.
“We are committed to professionalising our force and ensuring that every recruit meets the standards required to protect Uganda’s rich biodiversity,” he said.
Beyond internal systems, Musinguzi’s visit also highlighted UWA’s community-centred conservation approach.
In neighbouring Oyam District, he handed over a renovated classroom block at Apala B Primary School, refurbished at a cost of over Shs60 million.
The upgraded facility includes a new roof, solar lighting, and vibrant conservation-themed murals designed to instil a sense of environmental stewardship among pupils.
“This is more than just infrastructure—it is an investment in the future stewards of our environment,” he said at the handover event.
The initiative, launched under UWA’s corporate social responsibility programme during this year’s World Wildlife Day, reflects a growing emphasis on youth engagement and local empowerment in conservation planning.
Musinguzi’s field visits are part of a broader strategy that prioritises on-ground engagement with staff and communities across Uganda’s protected areas.
Musinguzi assumed the role of Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority on April 1, 2025, succeeding Sam Mwandha, who retired on March 31, 2025, after serving in the position since 2018.
“Strong teams, motivated communities, and informed young people are the backbone of sustainable conservation,” Musinguzi noted.
The former Executive Director of the now-defunct Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre has a vision of seeing UWA continue to expand its role not only as a protector of wildlife but also as a partner to the communities living around national parks.
From investing in staff welfare to nurturing education and public awareness, the Authority’s evolving mandate reflects a shift towards more inclusive and integrated conservation.
Murchison Falls, home to Uganda’s largest population of elephants, lions, and endangered Rothschild giraffes, remains a critical stronghold in UWA’s anti-poaching efforts.
Officials say recent years have seen increased collaboration between rangers and local communities, with Musinguzi crediting this partnership model for gains in wildlife protection.
UWA’s mission to safeguard Uganda’s natural heritage, he added, is inseparable from its responsibility to build trust, deliver impact, and inspire the next generation of conservationists.