Turning Information into Conservation Action
Modern conservation depends upon accurate information, strong science and informed decision-making. Working with UWA and international technology partners, UCF is leading the implementation of Uganda's Digital Strategy for Protected Area Management, integrating conservation technology, operational systems and applied science into everyday management. EarthRanger now supports operational management across multiple protected areas, integrating conservation law enforcement, wildlife monitoring, veterinary response, infrastructure management, tourism operations, incident management and strategic planning within a single operational platform.
Digital radio networks, LoRaWAN communications, GIS, satellite telemetry, remote sensing, operational dashboards and real-time data collection provide managers with the information needed to respond rapidly to changing conservation challenges while supporting long-term planning and national reporting. UCF also works closely with universities, research institutions and technology partners to ensure scientific knowledge directly informs management, enabling evidence-based conservation across Uganda's protected area network.
Technology is not simply about collecting data, it is about improving decisions, strengthening institutions and delivering better conservation outcomes.
Highlights
UWA Digital Strategy development led by UCF, including a governance framework.
UWA's countrywide EarthRanger system fully operational across Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley/Karamoja, and fully integrated into UWA's own, managed data centre and Headquarters operations room.
Management reporting across departments supported by bespoke departmental data models, with automated analytics and reporting.
Digital Radios and EarthRanger mobile systems covering all of Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley.
Ensuring Uganda's in-country capacity develops to support current and future use and development of systems.
Over 1,000 UWA staff trained in EarthRanger, including training-the-trainers and management systems.