Uganda joined the rest of the world in celebrating United Nations World Wildlife Day in Lira District. The celebrations started with a march through the streets of Lira town, led by the tourism minister, Col. (Rtd) Tom Butime and the state minister Martin Mugarra among several officials from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute and the tourism ministry.
The march was followed by inspection of different exhibition stalls by the chief guest, minister Aceng on behalf of the president.
Highlighting the need to conserve the country’s natural endowments, which are a backbone of Uganda’s tourism industry, President Museveni (in a speech read by Minister Aceng) noted that Uganda received over 1.3 million international tourists last year, 2024.
“But this is not enough. We need to take advantage of our enormous potential to harness the social, economic and ecological benefits,” remarked the president.
Museveni also urged all Ugandans to protect wildlife and the habitats such as wetlands, forests, open waters, grasslands among others.
“We need serious local community and private sector involvement as well as investment in this sector. Therefore, the government urges citizens to stop encroachment on the wildlife conservation areas,” the president said.
In addition, he noted, “Avoid poaching, illegal wildlife trade and trafficking wildlife products. You should also avoid poisoning wildlife and embark on the use of sustainable farming practices that do not destroy wildlife ecosystems.”
The tourism minister Col. (Rtd) Butime said, Uganda is home to over 53% of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, 11% of the world’s recorded bird species, 8% of global mammal diversity (which his 39% of Africa’s mammal richness), 19% of Africa’s amphibian species richness, 14% of Africa’s reptile species richness and 1,249 documented butterfly species.
“Improved management of protected areas has led to a general increase in wildlife populations such as buffalos which currently stand at 44,163 from 25,000 in 1983,” Butime intimated. He further noted that as of 2021, the population of elephants also increased to 7,975 from 2,000 in 1983, giraffes to 2,072 from 350 in the same period of 1983. “However, concerted efforts are still needed to recover populations of species facing decline such as the lions and rhinos,” the minister pointed out.
Last month, the tourism ministry launched a national action plan for the management of large carnivores aimed at recovering their populations in the country.
Echoing the president’s pledge, minister Butime said the government will further local participation of the citizens in wildlife management by promoting local-centred approaches to wildlife management.
“This will ensure abundant wildlife, refugious improved livelihoods, ecotourism, resource access and use, coexistence between humans and wildlife plus enhanced community resilience to climate/environmental shocks,” he stated.
This year’s Wildlife Day was celebrated under a theme, ‘Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.’ The 2025 World Wildlife Day celebration highlights the urgent need for sustainable, innovative financing solutions to manage wildlife, support the economy and improve the livelihoods of communities.
Several activities preceded the official celebrations, including the wildlife quiz and debates among schools in Lira city, wildlife marathon whose proceeds are geared towards the families of fallen rangers, among others.
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