UWA Intensifies War Against Poaching With New Wildlife Scout Training Around Kibale

By Swift Reporter 

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has intensified efforts to protect Kibale Conservation Area by equipping community wildlife scouts with the knowledge and skills needed to strengthen conservation awareness and combat illegal wildlife activities.

The training, held at the Multipurpose Hall in Mainaro, brought together wildlife scouts from the neighbouring districts of Kamwenge, Kabarole and Bunyangabu, underscoring UWA’s commitment to involving local communities in safeguarding Uganda’s rich biodiversity.

UWA said healthy forest ecosystems depend not only on effective protection within conservation areas but also on informed and empowered communities that actively support conservation beyond protected area boundaries.

During the training, the wildlife scouts were reminded of the critical role they play as the link between UWA and communities living around Kibale Conservation Area, which is globally renowned for its rich biodiversity and iconic chimpanzees.

Recognising the sensitive nature of their work, UWA urged the scouts to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, integrity and discretion. They were encouraged to maintain confidentiality while gathering and sharing information on illegal wildlife activities, noting that protecting the identity of community informants is essential for both their safety and the success of conservation efforts.

The authority emphasized that wildlife scouts are trusted community ambassadors whose local knowledge and presence help strengthen conservation awareness, discourage illegal activities such as poaching and forest encroachment, and promote responsible stewardship of Kibale’s forests and wildlife.

By working closely with surrounding communities, UWA believes the scouts will contribute significantly to protecting one of Uganda’s most important conservation landscapes while fostering peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife.

The capacity-building programme is expected to continue at Semuliki National Park, where more wildlife scouts from the Kibale Conservation Area landscape will receive similar training.

UWA also announced plans to extend the initiative to the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area (BMCA), further expanding its network of community-based conservation ambassadors across Uganda’s protected areas.

The programme forms part of UWA’s broader strategy to strengthen community participation in wildlife conservation, recognising that long-term protection of Uganda’s forests and wildlife depends on strong partnerships between conservation authorities and the people living closest to these natural resources.