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 Uganda Wildlife Authority is appointed by the minister responsible for wildlife. UWA also provides guidance for five wildlife conservation areas.
The vision of 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.”
The protected national parks managed by 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.
The game reserves managed by 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.
The controlled wildlife sanctuary areas include Ngamba Island, Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Otze Forest, Lake Bisina, Lake George, Nyaburogo, Ntoroko-Kanara, Lake Mburo Nakivali, Lake Nakuwa, and Lake Nabugabo.
The wetland areas managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority include Lake Nakuwa, Lake Opeta, Mabamba Bay, Lutembe Bay, Nabajjuzi, Murchison Falls, and Sango Bay-Musambwa Island-Kagera Bay.
Tourists visiting Uganda can book with Uganda Wildlife Authority to visit any of the national parks or even book mountain gorilla permits through UWA.
