Uganda Records Rise In Key Wildlife Species As UWA’s Conservation Efforts Pay Off

By Frank Kamuntu

Uganda is registering significant gains in wildlife conservation, with new data showing a steady increase in several key animal populations across the country’s protected areas, even as challenges such as habitat loss and climate change persist.

According to the State of Wildlife Resources in Uganda 2026 report released by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), populations of major herbivores have grown markedly over recent years. Dr. Caroline Asiimwe, head of ecological monitoring at UWA, said buffalo numbers have increased by 39 percent, giraffes by 18 percent, antelopes by 50 percent, chimpanzees by 20 percent and elands by 24 percent.

“These trends reflect the impact of sustained conservation efforts and improved monitoring systems,” Asiimwe said while presenting the report at the UWA headquarters in Kampala.

The encouraging figures are already visible on the ground. In Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Uganda’s most remote conservation areas, visitors are witnessing the resurgence firsthand.

“It is thrilling to see the large herds of buffalo,” said Michael Opoka, a tourist guide, describing the experience as one of the park’s most striking attractions.

Beyond population growth, Uganda is also making progress in restoring species that had previously disappeared. Southern white rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola District continue to multiply, with some recently translocated to Ajai Wildlife Reserve in Madi-Okollo District and Kidepo Valley National Park. Each of the two destinations currently hosts four rhinos, marking an important step in re-establishing populations in the wild.

Officials attribute much of this progress to strategic interventions such as translocation, the movement of animals between protected areas to strengthen breeding populations, as well as the use of modern technology. UWA has increasingly adopted tools like the EarthRanger monitoring system, camera traps and aerial surveillance to track wildlife in real time.

Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Minister Tom Butime said the positive trends demonstrate that government investment and stronger protection measures are yielding results.

“The recovery we are seeing is a testament to sustained investment, improved field protection and the dedication of frontline conservation staff,” Butime said during the report launch, which drew stakeholders from conservation groups including the Jane Goodall Institute, Nature Uganda and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

However, the report also highlights worrying trends among carnivores. Lion populations remain fragile, particularly in Kidepo and Queen Elizabeth national parks. Current estimates place lion numbers at about 12 in Kidepo and 39 in Queen Elizabeth, though officials believe the actual figures could be higher.

UWA Executive Director James Musinguzi said further studies are planned to establish accurate numbers and guide recovery efforts. Plans are also underway to repopulate the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park with lions, while discussions with the Kenya Wildlife Service are ongoing to support restoration efforts in Kidepo.

“We are not only conserving what remains but actively restoring what was lost,” Musinguzi said, citing ongoing rhino and lion reintroduction programmes.

Despite these gains, some species have not recovered. African painted dogs, for instance, have not been seen in Uganda for more than three decades and are now considered locally extinct.

The report identifies several factors driving wildlife and habitat loss, including rapid population growth, expanding agriculture, climate change and infrastructure development such as oil exploration and road construction. Invasive plant species like lantana camara are also disrupting ecosystems within protected areas.

Musinguzi warned that the progress achieved so far should not lead to complacency.

“Wildlife populations may be recovering within protected areas, but the surrounding landscapes that support ecological connectivity are increasingly under pressure,” he said. “The future of conservation must go beyond isolated interventions and be integrated into national planning and development.”

UWA currently manages 10 national parks, including Bwindi, Kibale, Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley, as well as multiple wildlife reserves and sanctuaries across the country.

As Uganda balances conservation success with emerging threats, experts say sustained collaboration between government, conservation organisations and local communities will be critical to securing the country’s rich biodiversity for future generations.