Building the Foundations for Conservation
Effective protected area management is the foundation of successful biodiversity conservation, tourism and sustainable development. For almost three decades, UCF has helped strengthen the management of Uganda's protected areas by investing in the people, infrastructure and operational systems needed to safeguard wildlife and manage landscapes effectively. Working across Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley Conservation Areas, UCF has helped establish more than 30 ranger posts, developed Joint Operations and Law Enforcement Centres, built the UWA Training Academy, established Marine Ranger Units, strengthened protected area communications, improved roads and bridges, and supported modern operational management across Uganda's protected areas.
UCF also supports ranger leadership, conservation law enforcement, logistics, engineering, planning, protected area infrastructure and organisational development, helping UWA continually improve operational performance and ranger welfare.
By strengthening the foundations of protected area management, UCF is helping create resilient protected areas that protect biodiversity, support tourism, generate revenue and safeguard Uganda's natural heritage for future generations.
Highlights
UWA Academy built; Ranger trainings established to support UWA's development capacity.
Law Enforcement and Operations Centres, including Joint Operations Command Centres (JOCCs), built and fully operational in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley National Parks, and at UWA Headquarters, Kampala.
8 Marine Ranger units established across Queen Elizabeth (Mweya, Kahendero, Rwenshama) and Murchison Falls (Buligi, Delta, Semanya); 15 patrol boats provided, and all marine rangers trained.
Protected Area operations and communications systems installed, including digital radios, LoRaWAN, and ER mobile, expanding communications reach from 2% to over 90% of the park/protected area.
Ranger Training: Over 3,000 rangers trained, including over 2,000 man-days of training in leadership, communications, human rights, intelligence and investigations, wildlife poison management, boat operations, and driving.