Conservation and protection of biodiversity is our mandate - Vice President Jessica Alupo

In her remarks as the chief guest at the World Wildlife day celebrations on Thursday at the Uganda Wildlife Education Center(UWEC) in Entebbe, the Vice President Hon. Jessica Alupo said that the 1995 constitution well articulates the need to protect wildlife for the benefit of all Ugandans under objectives of state policies.

According to the Vice President, the government is committed to promote tourism as a key driver in the social economic transformation of the country and will continue to implement numerous initiatives as per the National Development Plan 3.

“We shall continue to invest resources in the sector as government” she added emphasizing that there is an improved budget each year allocated for marketing  and promoting protected areas and the Tourism Ministry of Uganda.

Hon. Alupo also highlighted that there is need to urgently hold poaching, address human wildlife conflict and encroachment on protected areas plus mitigating climate change effects and other factors likely to constrain the industry growth if we are to sustainably get the benefits from Wildlife.

The Minister of Tourism Hon. Tom Butime who also attended the celebrations said that, while Uganda is among the countries on the continent that has all the African traditionally known big five animals, its incredibly blessed at the moment with additional big five animals that include Giraffes, Cheaters, Chimpanzees, Mount. Gorillas and the Hippos which going forward will make it to the “Big Ten” only found in Uganda.

According to Col. Butime in order to eliminate and reduce threats to these many species and fauna, the Ministry has  spearheaded formulation of Uganda Wildlife policy of 2015, the tourism policy of 2015 and also strengthened the legal and institutional framework of the Uganda Wildlife Act 2019 through review and subsequent inactimate.

“I call upon all partners and stake holders to continue working and supporting the Tourism Ministry for it to enhance protection and sustainable utilization of Wildlife resources” he added.

The Minister on this celebrations also handed over certificates and prizes to the winners of the World Wildlife day 2022 conservation competitions that included Essay writing, poetry, quiz and fine art categories.

In his speech, the Executive Director of UWEC Dr. James Musinguzi said that the center in regards to the theme has succeeded in breeding major species like lions, carrying out conservation education, rescuing and rehabilitating Wildlife plus also doing numerous efforts in recreation.

Dr. James while thanking stakeholders and Members of the Tourism fraternity for the job well done, he expressed his concern about their lately slashed budget from over11billion to 5 billions leaving them with no single penny provided for capital development yet the works are highly demanding.

The E.D also in a distinguished way thanked the chairman of the Indian Association in Uganda Mr. Rahul who  donated over 100million Ugx to the center during the hard times of the pandemic and also active in mobilizing the Indian community to come and tour the center.  

Also in attendance at this function where the delegation of the European Union, the representative of the United Nations Development Program, Hon. Henry Musaasizi from the Ministry of Finance, Wakiso district chairperson Matia Lwanga Bwanika Entebbe district mayor plus several Members of Parliament on the Trade and Tourism committee.