By Swift Reporter
The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Tom Butime, has expressed satisfaction with the preparedness of 1,358 Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) ranger recruits undergoing training at Lugaya Training School in Murchison Falls National Park ahead of their historic pass-out ceremony scheduled for December 4, 2026.
Butime made the remarks during a visit to the training school to assess the recruits’ readiness for deployment, marking a significant milestone for the institution as it prepares to graduate its pioneer cohort.
The Minister, who was accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, was received by UWA Executive Director Dr James Musinguzi and other senior officials before inspecting a guard of honour mounted in his honour.
During the visit, the recruits demonstrated skills acquired during their training, including range shooting, martial arts and parade drills, showcasing their preparedness for the demanding responsibilities of wildlife protection, conservation enforcement and public safety.
Addressing the recruits, Butime reminded them that their selection from among thousands of applicants presented them with an opportunity to serve the country by protecting its valuable wildlife resources. He urged them to embrace discipline, dedication and professionalism as they prepare to begin their careers in wildlife conservation.
He particularly challenged the recruits to exercise sound judgement when confronting poachers and responding to encounters with dangerous wildlife, emphasising the need to protect animals while ensuring their personal safety and that of the communities surrounding protected areas.
The Minister commended UWA and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for their collaboration in delivering the training programme, noting the resilience, determination and discipline demonstrated by the recruits.
Impressed by their performance, Butime expressed confidence in their preparedness and said he looked forward to witnessing their graduation on December 4.
He also encouraged the recruits to uphold the values instilled in them during training beyond their professional responsibilities, urging them to make responsible personal choices and safeguard their health and wellbeing. He specifically cautioned them against preventable health risks, including HIV/AIDS, as they prepare to transition into active service.
The visit also featured a briefing on Uganda’s wildlife conservation legal and policy framework, delivered by the Ministry’s Commissioner for Wildlife Conservation, George Owoyesigire.
Owoyesigire highlighted the Ministry’s responsibilities in sector planning, budgeting, policy formulation, coordination and regulation of international wildlife trade. He also explained the institutional relationship between the Ministry and UWA, the country’s broader tourism development agenda and the contribution of conservation partners to protecting Uganda’s wildlife heritage.
The upcoming graduation is expected to mark an important chapter in the development of Lugaya Training School, whose pioneer cohort of 1,358 recruits will provide additional manpower to UWA’s conservation and law enforcement operations.
Their entry into service is expected to strengthen the Authority’s capacity to combat poaching, protect wildlife habitats, enforce conservation laws and respond to emerging threats across Uganda’s protected areas.
The development also underscores the importance of investing in specialised ranger training as Uganda continues to position wildlife conservation as a key pillar of its tourism industry and national development.