Uganda’s population of raptor birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, vultures, and falcons, is experiencing a significant decline, raising serious conservation concerns among environmentalists and the government.
This alarming trend was highlighted during the signing of the Raptors Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the official opening of the National Raptors Workshop.
“Now that the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) mandates us to protect these important birds of prey, we must act,” said George Owoyesigire, Commissioner for Wildlife Conservation at the Ministry of Tourism. “Raptors play essential ecological, social, cultural, and economic roles. They regulate populations of rodents and snakes and help maintain ecosystem balance by preying on weak and diseased animals.”
Despite their vital role in ecosystems, raptors in Uganda are increasingly threatened. Owoyesigire revealed that Uganda is home to about 90 species of raptors, though their exact population remains unknown.
“We have observed a steady decline in numbers, and as a country, we have agreed to sign a memorandum with the Raptor Coordination Unit, coordinated by the Convention on Migratory Species in Abu Dhabi. This agreement will strengthen protection and coordination efforts to halt the decline of these species,” he stated.
The primary threats facing raptors are largely due to human activities. Habitat destruction, driven by deforestation, land degradation, and encroachment, poses one of the biggest challenges.
“Raptors rely on forests and open landscapes, which are being destroyed at an alarming rate,” Owoyesigire noted.
Another significant issue is poisoning. “Since raptors prey on small livestock such as goats and chickens, some farmers resort to poisoning them, severely impacting their survival,” he added.
Electrocution from power lines also contributes to their declining numbers, as migrating raptors frequently collide with grid lines.
Globally, raptor populations have plummeted by over 90%, and Uganda’s situation is no different. Data from Nature Uganda shows that 59 of the 91 recorded raptor species have been observed since 2008, with four classified as critically endangered, six endangered, three vulnerable, two near-threatened, and 22 as Palearctic migrants.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, stakeholders are focused on developing a national strategy to conserve raptor species.
“We need to work together to stop this decline,” emphasized Umberto Gallo-Orsi, CEO of the Environmental Agency in Abu Dhabi. “The Raptors MoU covers 94 migratory species that are in decline. Today, we are here to discuss how to address this issue specifically in Uganda.”
Studies show that despite numerous efforts to combat biodiversity loss, 25% of assessed animal and plant species approximately one million—are at risk of extinction.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework provides a vision for conserving and restoring biodiversity by 2050 to maintain a healthy planet and ecosystem services.
Hon. Martin Mugara Bahinduka, Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, stressed the need for immediate action.
“The triple planetary crisis is a global concern, and it is imperative that we take decisive action. We must implement policies that honor our commitments to achieving our shared vision. The fight against biodiversity loss goes beyond ecological concerns; it deeply impacts both human and nature well-being,” he said.
With raptors playing a critical role in environmental conservation, Uganda’s commitment to preserving these majestic birds is a crucial step toward maintaining the country’s biodiversity and ecological balance.