UWA Launches 10-Day Aerial Wildlife Survey In Bokora–Matheniko Wildlife Reserve

By Frank Kamuntu

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has launched a 10-day aerial wildlife survey in the Bokora–Matheniko Wildlife Reserve within the Pian Upe Conservation Area, in a move aimed at strengthening wildlife conservation and improving the management of one of Uganda’s key protected ecosystems.

The exercise, being undertaken by UWA’s Division of Research and Ecological Monitoring in collaboration with the Air Wing Division, seeks to generate up-to-date scientific data on wildlife populations, habitat conditions and emerging conservation challenges across the reserve.

According to UWA, the survey builds on the last aerial assessment conducted in 2018 and is expected to provide a comprehensive picture of changes in wildlife numbers and the overall ecological health of the protected area over the past several years.

A major focus of the exercise is to estimate the populations of various wildlife species while identifying threats that could undermine conservation efforts. Researchers will also assess the extent of illegal activities, particularly unauthorized livestock grazing, which has increasingly become a challenge in some protected areas.

The authority said the findings will provide critical evidence to guide future conservation planning, strengthen wildlife protection measures and support sustainable management of the reserve.

“The survey will generate vital ecological data needed for evidence-based management decisions and enhanced conservation interventions to safeguard wildlife and their habitats,” UWA said.

Officials noted that regular ecological monitoring is essential for tracking changes in wildlife populations, identifying emerging threats and ensuring that conservation strategies remain effective.

The data collected during the survey will also help UWA evaluate the success of ongoing conservation programmes and inform future policy decisions aimed at protecting Uganda’s rich biodiversity.

Bokora–Matheniko Wildlife Reserve, which forms part of the expansive Pian Upe Conservation Area in northeastern Uganda, is home to a wide range of wildlife species and plays a significant role in the country’s conservation landscape.

UWA reaffirmed its commitment to using science-driven approaches to conserve Uganda’s wildlife heritage, noting that continuous monitoring is vital to ensuring the country’s wildlife resources are sustainably managed for the benefit of present and future generations.