New Uganda Wildlife Act Review
Introduction
Uganda’s wildlife heritage is one of its greatest treasures, attracting travelers from all over the world and supporting communities that live near protected areas. Yet the country has long faced challenges of poaching, wildlife trafficking, habitat loss, and conflicts between people and animals. To address these issues, Uganda passed the Uganda Wildlife Act in 2019, later followed by reviews and proposed amendments to strengthen the law. The Act and its revisions represent a bold attempt to modernize conservation legislation, reinforce penalties, and ensure that wildlife protection balances with human needs and national development.
Why the Act Was Reviewed
The Wildlife Act of 2019 was initially a breakthrough, giving Uganda an updated legal framework for conservation and sustainable management. However, new realities soon highlighted gaps. The discovery of oil in the Albertine region raised concerns about how extraction projects intersect with conservation zones. Wildlife crime also became more organized, with poachers and traffickers exploiting loopholes in the law. Communities continued to call for more comprehensive compensation when wildlife damaged crops, property, or even caused human injury and death. These pressures created the need to revisit the Act, resulting in a review and proposed amendments that aim to make Uganda’s conservation regime stronger and more adaptive.
Key Provisions of the Act
The Uganda Wildlife Act sets out principles for conservation, protection of endangered species, management of wildlife use, and fair sharing of tourism benefits. Among its most significant provisions are clauses on wildlife trade regulation, habitat protection, and revenue sharing with local communities near national parks. It also makes clear the requirement for environmental impact assessments before industrial or infrastructure projects can proceed in or near protected areas. These measures were designed to modernize Uganda’s approach to conservation while recognizing the role that local people play in safeguarding wildlife.
Major Proposed Amendments
The review process has introduced several notable amendments. One proposal is to merge the Uganda Wildlife Authority with the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, creating a more unified and efficient institution to manage wildlife affairs. Another key area is the strengthening of penalties for wildlife crimes. Under the revised provisions, offenders face dramatically increased fines and longer prison sentences, with the aim of making poaching and trafficking less attractive and far more risky.
The amendments also place a sharper focus on human–wildlife conflict. Compensation mechanisms for communities affected by wildlife have been outlined more clearly, with the intention of making the system more transparent, faster, and fairer. In addition, the Act emphasizes the role of environmental impact assessments in any development projects that might affect protected areas, particularly those related to oil, gas, and mining. This ensures that conservation is not sacrificed in the name of short-term economic gain.
Strengths of the New Framework
One of the major strengths of the new Wildlife Act is its emphasis on deterrence. By raising penalties, Uganda signals that wildlife crime is a serious offense that will not be tolerated. The integration of institutions promises greater efficiency, reducing duplication and allowing conservation agencies to work with clearer mandates. Compensation for communities strengthens the social contract between parks and people, ensuring that those who live closest to wildlife benefit from its protection. The Act also demonstrates Uganda’s determination to meet global standards for biodiversity conservation, positioning the country as a leader in sustainable tourism.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite these advances, significant challenges remain. Implementation depends on resources—trained staff, adequate funding, modern equipment, and the political will to enforce laws consistently. Compensation systems, while expanded, often face delays and disputes, raising questions about fairness and sustainability. There are also concerns about balancing development and conservation. As Uganda expands oil and mineral extraction, the risk of weakening environmental protections persists, especially if enforcement mechanisms are under pressure from economic interests. Even the proposed institutional mergers may create temporary confusion, with overlapping roles and restructuring that could delay decision-making.
The Way Forward
The review of the Uganda Wildlife Act is a timely and necessary step in the country’s conservation journey. To succeed, it must be backed by strong enforcement, transparent compensation schemes, and ongoing engagement with local communities. Safeguarding wildlife corridors, protecting biodiversity hotspots, and ensuring that development projects undergo rigorous environmental assessments will be essential. If implemented effectively, the Act has the potential to serve as a model for other African countries facing similar challenges.
Uganda’s new Wildlife Act and its amendments reflect the country’s deep commitment to protecting its natural heritage while balancing the realities of development and community needs. The law is stronger, more comprehensive, and better adapted to today’s challenges than its predecessors. Yet its real test lies not in the text but in its application. For Uganda, the Act offers a powerful tool to secure both wildlife and livelihoods, ensuring that future generations inherit a land where nature and people coexist in harmony.