Increase in the number of endangered animals boosts tourism in Uganda

The number of endangered elephants, rhinos and other animals in Uganda's reserves is steadily improving, reversing years of declines caused by poachers, traffickers and conflict.

According to The Uganda Wildlife Authority, the population of northern white and eastern black rhinos, that was wiped out in the early 1980s by people hunting for their horns, has grown back to 32 since a charity brought in four in 2005.

Thanks to increased conservation efforts, the number of buffalos increased 77% to 44,163 between 1983 and 2021, while elephants surged nearly 300% to 7,975 over the same period, the authority added.

Uganda suffered massive declines in some species between the 1960s and 1980s as political conflict and lawlessness allowed poaching, trafficking and encroachment on wildlife areas to thrive.

However, when the NRM government brought stability in the country they brought in a string of conservation policies, including lengthy jail terms for violations which has boosted the number of wild animals hence boosting tourism.

There has also been an increase in the number of mountain gorillas in dense forests in the southwest which is also boost to the tourism industry.

Uganda Wildlife Authority, (UWA) is Uganda’s Government agency responsible for the management and protection of Wildlife in and outside protected areas. The agency is supervised by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.

Uganda Wildlife Authority manages 10 National Parks; 12 Wildlife Reserves; 5 Community Wildlife Management Areas; and 13 Wildlife Sanctuaries. The ten National Parks include Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley, Kibale, Mount Elgon, Rwenzori Mountains, Semuliki, Mgahinga Gorilla, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. These parks display the best in East Africa. Their Rift Valley landscapes and tropical forests make dramatic backdrops to an extensive variety of flora and fauna.