Environment in Uganda
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BOTSWANA, 2015/11/17
One lesson that has been well and truly learned in nature conservation is that for policies to be really effective nations have to collaborate to address common problems.
Within the UN system it is as well recognized that this applies to the different Programmes, Conventions and Agreements set up over the years. That each of these bodies has a distinct niche and a clear role does not justify a bunker mentality. By synergizing, cooperating and collaborating they can find common cause with natural allies and seek compromises with those whose agendas do not necessarily match their own.
AEWA, the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, is a prime example of an organization that embodies this approach.
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UGANDA, 2015/11/08
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Maria Mutagamba, has signed a regional agreement to promote gorilla conservation in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. The three nations share the only remaining people of mountain gorillas estimated at 880 globally. The regional agreement will as well help to promote research and tourism inclunding sharing of revenue where gorillas cross from one country to an extra.
“We are happy that the three nations have concluded a treaty that advances conservation of the highly-endangered species,” Mutagamba said before signing the Virunga Trans boundary Collaboration treaty in the ministry boardroom at Rwenzori Courts in Kampala. The agreement was signed by the respective ministers of tourism and conservation in DR Congo and Rwanda on September 22.
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UGANDA, 2015/11/08
Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) Executive Director James Musinguzi said the center has been awarded the World Association of Zoos and Aquaria (Waza) Award.
This recognition comes next excelling in using biodiversity-related educational materials supporting the United Nations Decade for Biodiversity, 2011–2020. The decade for biodiversity aims at making people aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably.
UWEC, formerly and popularly known as Entebbe Zoo, has been awarded the Waza Award by the Waza body which combines all zoos and aquariums in the world. The award was given to Entebbe Zoo at the recently concluded Waza Annual General Conference and conference in the United Arab Emirates.
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BOTSWANA, 2015/07/21
Hunting has long been a highly controversial activity, whether as a sport (leisure or recreational), for commercial purposes or if done for cultural reasons. African nations that legalise hunting activities experience scrutiny around their conservation efforts, and how much money they make from it.
Trophy hunting, which is offered in 23 sub-Saharan African nations, generates an estimated US$201 million per year. Out of the 23 nations taking part in legal hunting activities, Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa have the majority effective controls and the highest levels of transparency.
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UGANDA, 2014/12/15
Andrew Seguya, the executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has been suspended by Maria Mutagamba, the Minister of Wildlife, Tourism and Antiquities to pave way for a smooth investigation into the missing ivory.
The letter dated Nov.21 and titled, "Alleged Ivory Scam," is addressed to the UWA board chairman and copied to the Prime Minister, the commander of the Uganda People's Defence Forces, the tourism ministry's permanent secretary, Andrew Seguya and Raymond Engena, the director of tourism and business services at UWA.
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UGANDA, 2014/11/19
A recent routine audit into the contents of the strong rooms at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has led to a mystery involving lost ivory.
Some 1.35 tons of ivory is missing, valued in excess of US$1 million.
Investigations are presently ongoing, and while it cannot be ruled out that an accounting error could have led to this result, it seems additional likely that the ivory was actually stolen as has been suggested by senior government officials, inclunding President Museveni and the American Ambassador to Uganda, in his address a week ago to the delegates of the Africa Travel Association Congress.
To pave the way for the unfolding investigations, UWA has presently suspended at least five officials, part them security intelligence officers and the Chief Warden and others with direct access to the vaults.
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UGANDA, 2014/02/23
The government of Uganda has sighed a memorandum of considerate with oil companies to support sustainable Development of the Discovered Petroleum Resources in the Albertine Graben.
The MOU, which was signed by energy minister, Irene Muloni and the four licensed oil companies operating in the country, is aimed at providing a framework for harmonising the commercialization plan for the development of the discovered oil and gas resources in western Uganda.
"This MOU will help Government in planning for the use of the petroleum for power generation, supply of crude oil to the refinery to be developed in Uganda by Government and export of crude oil through an export pipeline or any other viable options to be developed by the oil companies," she told a news conference last week.
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UGANDA, 2014/02/13
Uganda has started benefiting from the 10m pounds that Britain recently set aside to combat illegal wildlife trade (IWT).
The British high commission in Kampala announced on Friday that it had extended support towards construction and equipping of ranger posts in the Murchison falls conservation area.
"We are delighted to support the excellent work of UWA [Uganda Wildlife Authority]," said High Commissioner Alison Blackburne.
"The illegal wildlife trade is so much additional than just an environmental issue threatening biodiversity and ecosystems. It drives corruption and insecurity and undermines efforts to cut poverty and develop sustainably. IWT is a critical criminal industry worth billions each year."
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BOTSWANA, 2012/12/24
The people of lions in sub-Saharan Africa is dwindling at a quick pace, according to a recent study, which found that lions have declined by additional than 75 % in the past 50 years, as farms and settlements proliferate.
The study found that there are probably only around 32,000 lions still living on the continent. In 1960, there were as a lot of as 100,000 lions living in Africa. West African lions have experienced the greatest decline in people with only as few as 500 left in the region. Duke University researchers led the study, which was published in the journal Biodiversity and Conservation.
