The state minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Nakawuki, has called on Ugandans to explore the country’s diverse tourism attractions, saying wildlife experiences should not be limited to national parks and traditional game reserves.
The minister made the remarks during a familiarisation visit to the Conservation Through Community (CTC) Conservation Centre in Lukalu, Butambala District, an attraction located about 15 minutes from Mpigi Town.
Situated approximately 36 to 43 kilometres southwest of Kampala along the Kampala-Masaka Road, CTC offers visitors an opportunity to experience wildlife closer to the city through guided conservation tours.
The centre is home to a variety of animals, including lions, hyenas, giraffes, lemurs, snakes, crocodiles, tigers and zebras. It also hosts a zonkey, a rare hybrid between a zebra and a donkey.
During her visit, Minister Nakawuki interacted with several animals, including feeding lemurs, giraffes and zebras, while also coming into close contact with a lion.
She described the experience as a memorable opportunity and encouraged more Ugandans to take advantage of attractions such as CTC.
“I invite Ugandans to enjoy their country and explore the different tourism experiences that Uganda has to offer,” Nakawuki said.
The minister applauded CTC proprietor Thomas Price for developing a unique conservation model that brings wildlife closer to communities.
She said initiatives such as CTC demonstrate the importance of partnerships between government, the private sector and communities in promoting conservation and growing Uganda’s tourism sector.
The conservation centre combines wildlife experiences, education and guided tours aimed at promoting appreciation for nature, especially among children and young visitors.
Price said the vision for CTC extends beyond its current operations, revealing plans to expand the conservation area by acquiring an additional 52 acres of land, which he hopes will eventually support the development of an elephant sanctuary.
“The vision is big. We want to expand the habitat and create an even bigger space for wildlife,” Price said.
He explained that the centre’s activities are designed around education and responsible guided interaction, allowing visitors to learn about wildlife conservation while experiencing animals in a controlled environment.
Price also responded to reports discouraging visitors from interacting with wild animals, saying responsible and supervised encounters can create lasting conservation awareness.
He noted that such experiences are especially impactful for children who may be seeing wildlife up close for the first time.
“It is an experience that stays with you forever, especially for children,” Price said.
The CTC Conservation Centre is part of a growing movement promoting conservation through community participation and tourism. Its location near Kampala and Mpigi provides an accessible wildlife experience for visitors who may not travel to Uganda’s traditional safari destinations.
Minister Nakawuki said the growth of private conservation initiatives could help broaden Uganda’s tourism offering while encouraging more citizens to appreciate and protect the country’s wildlife.
As Uganda continues to promote domestic tourism, CTC is positioning itself as an emerging attraction where conservation, education and tourism come together.
For visitors travelling from Kampala, the centre is accessible via the Kampala-Masaka Road, with the journey taking approximately one hour before continuing to Lukalu, about 15 minutes from Mpigi Town.
The initiative highlights that Uganda’s wildlife tourism extends beyond its famous national parks and game reserves, with private and community-based conservation spaces playing an increasingly important role in the sector.
