In a significant boost to its conservation efforts, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has acquired a donation of six advanced drone cameras from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
This move not only strengthens wildlife conservation, but also underscores Uganda’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its growing number of tourists.
The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities (MTWA) Honourable Tom Butime, officially received the drones on behalf of UWA at the headquarter in Kampala yesterday.
Highlighting the importance of this donation, Honourable Butime stated that these drones from UNDP will be a crucial facet in conservation efforts, noting that they will empower conservation partners to protect Uganda’s wildlife and natural habitats more effectively.
“We are committed to leveraging this technology to ensure the long-term sustainability of our precious ecosystems. We thank UNDP for their support and look forward to continued collaboration,” He said.
Ms. Nwanneakolam Vwede-Obahor, the UNDP Resident Representative for Uganda, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the strong partnership between Uganda and the UNDP.
She said, “Uganda is a country of natural beauty, our support to UWA reflects our commitment to enhancing Uganda’s capacity to protect its unique wildlife and natural resources. The UNDP will continue to support not only UWA but the tourism sector as a whole because of its contribution to the economic development of Uganda.”
Sam Mwandha, the Executive Director of UWA, highlighted the strategic importance of the drones, noting that they represent a major advancement in UWA’s capacity to monitor and manage protected areas.
“These drones will provide UWA with real-time aerial surveillance, enhance our ability to monitor vast and remote areas, gather crucial data on wildlife movements, and respond swiftly to any threats, thereby significantly strengthening our conservation strategies,” he noted.
The deployment of these drones across various national parks and wildlife reserves will offer a bird’s-eye view of Uganda’s diverse ecosystems. They will assist in tracking animal migration patterns, assessing habitat health, and conducting detailed wildlife population surveys.
“The data collected will also help inform conservation strategies and actions, ensuring that Uganda’s wildlife heritage is preserved for future generations,” Mwandha added.
This initiative aligns with the broader strategy of utilizing innovative solutions to tackle conservation challenges and ensure the effective preservation of Uganda’s wildlife resources.
As Uganda sees an increase in tourist numbers, the integration of drone technology is expected to have a significant positive impact on both wildlife conservation and tourist safety.
Security Measures in the National Parks
UWA has been collaborating with other agencies like the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF), and the Police, demonstrating a strong commitment to ensuring the security and safety of all visitors during wildlife adventures in national parks and other tourist attractions.
With the tourism high season, spanning from June to December, beginning, the country is poised to receive a large influx of international visitors seeking adventure.
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, proactive intelligence gathering and regular patrols, conducted jointly by park rangers and the military along major roads in Ishasha and Kasenyi Katwe, ensure the safety of tourists. The permanent military presence in the park further strengthens the security framework.
“We are leveraging cutting-edge technology to safeguard the park and its visitors. When we run the drones across these boundaries, we can identify problems and deploy accordingly to mitigate the given challenges, be it terrorism, poaching, or even fire outbreaks,” said Bashir Hangi, the UWA spokesperson.
Tourists can enjoy captivating experiential game drives, with the Kasenyi Katwe road fully open, allowing visitors to explore the park’s vast array of natural wonders. Community engagement is also key, with strong relationships between local communities, law enforcement, and tourism stakeholders promoting the reporting of suspicious activities and sharing of vital information.
Despite the incident in October 2023, when a couple was gunned down by unknown assailants in Queen Elizabeth National Park, visitor numbers have remained stable, indicating confidence in the heightened security measures.
In October 2023 alone, over 900 visitors, including many international tourists, visited the park without any security issues reported, demonstrating strong belief in the park’s commitment to visitor safety.
Earlier this year, Csilla Zavier, a Swiss national visiting the park, expressed confidence in the security measures, stating, “We see the Ugandan army all over the park, which makes us feel safe. We are really enjoying our time here, especially the breathtaking wildlife.”
Kibaale National Park, renowned as the primate capital of Uganda, continues to attract nature enthusiasts with its diverse array of primates, rich biodiversity, and scenic landscapes. It is recognized as the best destination for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda, offering a golden opportunity to witness over 1,500 registered chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
The park has instituted similar measures, including armed ranger escorts for visitors and regular joint patrols by the army and rangers to promptly address security concerns. Detailed safety briefings ensure that all visitors are well-informed and prepared for a secure wildlife adventure.
Murchison Falls National Park, another premier destination, continues to attract nature enthusiasts with its dramatic waterfall, rich biodiversity, and scenic landscapes, along with opportunities to see the Big Five in their natural habitat. The park has instituted similar security measures, including armed ranger escorts for visitors and regular patrols to promptly address any security concerns.
The integration of drone technology and other advanced security measures significantly enhances the safety of tourists while ensuring effective wildlife conservation.
Uganda’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage and ensuring visitor safety makes it a premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.
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