USAID Boosts Uganda Wildlife Authority's Operations with New Equipment

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) recently received a vital assortment of equipment aimed at bolstering its operational capabilities. The donation comes from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Biodiversity for Resilience (B4R) Activity.

Key items handed over include 44 laptops, 39 scanners, 20 printers, and 11 complete solar power units. These resources are intended to strengthen UWA’s financial management systems, improve reporting accuracy, increase efficiency in revenue collection, and promote greater transparency in these processes.

During the handover ceremony at UWA Headquarters in Kampala, Acting Executive Director Mr. Stephen Masaba expressed gratitude for USAID’s consistent support, particularly during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized that this assistance is crucial for UWA to effectively execute its mandate of conserving wildlife and ensuring a positive visitor experience in protected areas, aligning with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities’ efforts to promote Uganda as a tourist destination.

Ms. Jennifer Talbot, Chief of Party for the USAID B4R Activity, highlighted their satisfaction in contributing to UWA’s systems. She specifically mentioned the importance of enhancing the gate collection system, a critical component for revenue generation in Uganda’s national parks and wildlife reserves. This support is seen as a timely contribution as Uganda’s tourism sector recovers.