UWA Embarks on Security Overhaul at UWEC, Botanical Gardens

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has vowed to crack down on criminals and illegal encroachers across the designated land which houses the Uganda Wildlife Education center (UWEC) and other places including Botanical gardens.

The remarks were made during the visit of the top UWA officials at UWEC aimed at inspecting, assessing, ensuring safety across the boundaries marking UWA’s official takeover of UWEC following the merger of UWA and UWEC effective 1st October 2024.

This is also in response to the recent security threats that have severally occurred around places like botanical gardens, a place which attracts many revelers from across the country.

Top Management led by the Ag. Executive Director John Makombo, visited the UWEC Conservation Area, the Botanical Gardens among other areas identifying possible challenges like porous borders, waste management, ungazetted tracks, unlicensed operators, huge encroachment, among others.

“The reason why we are here is to demonstrate the fact that we have taken over the entire entity of UWEC and Botanical gardens following the merger. We also want to understand the area very well and see how we can revamp, develop it into a good tourism profitable area. There are a number of illegal operators among other challenging issues and we must make sure we settle this as fast as possible, " Makombo highlighted.

He also revealed the plans for the gardens, especially the conservation of the indigenous species and the possibility of developing tourism products and services for the gardens.

Management also emphasised the need to formalize the concessions in the area for better operations.

Chemonges Sabilla the head of legal and corporate affairs said the management will make assessments to determine on the fate of concessions especially to workers who have been operating from the botanical gardens.

“Some people have already approached us to continue operating their facilities from this place but as management we will sit to determine what next, we have seen what’s going on in this place. Research and conservation will be our major focus here. Of course, as we wait for the title of this land, we will ensure that the place is safe and well guarded for more tourist attractions” Chemponges added.

The management also revealed new innovative changes which include online and mobile transactions at the entry of both UWEC and botanical gardens aimed at cracking down criminality.

Recently, The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) was officially merged with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), marking the end of 72 years of independent operations for UWEC.