The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities. UWA was established in 1996 with the mission: “To conserve and sustainably manage wildlife and protected areas of Uganda in partnership with other stakeholders and neighboring communities for the benefit of the people in the country and the global community.”
The Uganda Wildlife Authority manages 10 national parks, 12 game reserves, and 14 wildlife sanctuaries. The board of trustees that governs the Uganda Wildlife Authority is appointed by the minister responsible for wildlife. UWA also provides guidance for five wildlife conservation areas. For a look at the destinations UWA protects, browse Uganda safari bookings.
The vision of the Uganda Wildlife Authority is: “To be the leading, self-sustaining wildlife conservation agency that transforms Uganda into one of the best ecotourism destinations in Africa.”
National Parks Managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority
The protected Uganda national parks managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority include Kidepo Valley National Park in the northeastern region, Murchison Falls National Park in the northwestern region, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Semuliki National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park in the southwestern region.
Together, these parks span a wide range of ecosystems, from savannah plains to montane forest, giving Uganda one of the most varied protected area systems in East Africa. Several of these parks, including Bwindi and Mgahinga, form part of the region’s most important habitats for endangered mountain gorillas, while others, such as Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth, protect large populations of big game and support Uganda’s classic wildlife safari circuit.
Game Reserves Managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority
The game reserves managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority include Bokora Corridor Reserve, Aswa Lolim Game Reserve, Ajai Game Reserve, Semuliki Game Reserve, Katonga Game Reserve, Bugungu Game Reserve, Kyambura Game Reserve, Kabwoya Game Reserve, and Lomunga Reserve, among others.
Wildlife Sanctuaries Under UWA
The controlled wildlife sanctuary areas include Ngamba Island, the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Otze Forest, Lake Bisina, Lake George, Nyaburogo, Ntoroko-Kanara, Lake Mburo Nakivali, Lake Nakuwa, and Lake Nabugabo.
These sanctuaries play different roles within Uganda’s broader conservation strategy. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, for example, is central to the country’s efforts to reintroduce rhinos to the wild after they were wiped out by poaching, while Ngamba Island focuses on the rehabilitation and protection of rescued chimpanzees.
Wetland Areas Managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority
The wetland areas managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority include Lake Nakuwa, Lake Opeta, Mabamba Bay, Lutembe Bay, Nabajjuzi, Murchison Falls, and Sango Bay-Musambwa Island-Kagera Bay.
These wetlands are particularly important for bird life, with several sites, including Mabamba Bay, ranking among Uganda’s top birding destinations, known especially for sightings of the rare shoebill stork.
Booking Through Uganda Wildlife Authority
Tourists visiting Uganda can book with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to visit any of the national parks, or even book mountain gorilla permits directly through UWA, making it a central point of contact for planning a Uganda safari, whether the focus is gorilla trekking, game drives, or exploring the country’s wetlands and forest reserves.
