Uganda Wildlife Authority CORPORATE REPORT 2018 Conserving for Generations ii | CORPORATE REPORT 2018 Introduction Contents Acronyms 3 WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN BOARD OF TRUSTEES 4 STATEMENT FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 6 1. CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 9 2. GOVERNANCE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS PROGRAM 13 3. RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT 19 Ecological Monitoring and Research 29 Community Conservation Program 30 Tourism Development and Financial sustainability Program 37 4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 45 5. CHALLENGES 50 5.1 Encroachment 50 5.2 5.2 Uncooperative communities 50 5.3 Human Wildlife conflicts 50 5.4 Poaching 50 5.5 Demand for de-gazetting areas within the National Parks 51 5.6 Illegal trade in wildlife 51 5.7Outbreak of diseases 51 5.8 Inadequate appreciation and good will to conservation 51 CORPORATE REPORT 2018 | 1 Introduction 2 | CORPORATE REPORT 2018 Introduction Acronyms AUTO Association Of Uganda Tour Operators MENP Mountain Elgon National Park AWF African Wildlife Fund MFNP Murchison Falls National Park BINP Bwindi Impenetrable National Park MGNP Mgahinga Gorilla National Park BMCA Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area MoU Memorandum of Understanding CA Conservation Area NEAP National Elephant Action Plan CC Community Conservation NEMA National Environment Management Authority CEDP Competitiveness and Enterprise NFA National Forestry Authority Development Project NGO Non- Government Organisation CITES Convention of International Trade in OPM Office of Prime Minister Endangered Species PA Protected Area CPF Central Processing Facility PAC Problem Animal Committee CWA Community Wildlife Association QEPA Queen Elizabeth Protected Area CWS Community Wildlife Scouts RMNP Rwenzori Mountain National Park DRC Democratic Republic of Congo SMART Special Monitoring And Reporting Tool EIA Environment Impact Assessment SNP Semuliki National Park EPI Elephant Protection Initiative TOC Transnational Organised Crime ESIA Environment Social Impact Assessment TSWR Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve FSSD Forest Sector Support Development UNAA Uganda North American Association GEF Global Environment Facility UNCST Uganda National Council of Science and GMP General Management Plan Technology GVTC Great Virunga Transboundary Conservation UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and HWC Human Wildlife Conflict Cultural Organisation IWT Illegal Wildlife Trade UNODC United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime KAFRED Kibale Association of Rural and Environment UTA Uganda Tourism Association Development UVRI Uganda Virus Research Institute KCA Kibale Conservation Area UWA Uganda Wildlife Authority KCL Kidepo Conservation Landscape VIC Visitor Information Centre KVCA Kidepo Valley Conservation Area WCO World Customs Organisation KWR Katonga Wildlife Reserve WCS Wildlife Conservation Society KAWR Katonga Wildlife Reserve WR Wildlife Reserve LATF Lusaka Agreement Task Force WUR Wildlife Use Rights LMNP Lake Mburo National Park CORPORATE REPORT 2018 | 3 Introduction Foreword WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN BOARD OF TRUSTEES Wildlife plays an important role in Uganda’s tourism sector in promoting tourism which is a significant contributor to the country’s foreign earnings. Wildlife is not only a source of revenue but also provides employment to Ugandans hence effectively contributing to the country’s overall Gross Domestic Product and the achievement of Vision 2040. The reporting period witnessed be a dream of many to visit. We a change in the leadership of have achieved this through Uganda Wildlife Authority working closely with (UWA) with Mr. Samuel John communities neighbouring Mwandha appointed as the protected areas and the Executive Director we shall continue to replacing Dr. Andrew ensure that Management Seguya. A number of further strengthens Senior Managers were UWA’s relationship with also appointed. communities. During the reporting period, I commend the management Uganda was rated by Rough and staff of UWA for the great Guides, a travel Guide Book and strides in the management of the reference publisher in the UK and protected areas and conservation of CNN, as the 4th and 5th best place to visit in wildlife, which has in turn greatly boosted our 2017 respectively. tourism sector. Trip Advisor awarded certificates of excellence to We have ensured that the Wildlife Tower UWA’s seven National Parks including Murchison Falls commercial building on Kanjokya Street is National Park (MFNP), Bwindi Impenetrable National complete. This will cushion the organization Park (BINP), Kibale National Park (KNP), Lake Mburo against low revenue seasons and ensure financial National Park (LMNP), Rwenzori Mountains National sustainability for wildlife conservation in Uganda. Park (RMNP), and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP) for their distinguished customer service, I wish to express our sincere gratitude to the diverse products, scenic beauty, professional Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and guiding and other services. This has increased the the Permanent Secretary for their support and popularity and visibility of these National Parks guidance. globally. I extend our sincere appreciation to our partners These achievements are a result of our robust who have continuously supported conservation conservation efforts that ensure and continue to work in Uganda. Your support is not taken for 4 | CORPORATE REPORT 2018 Introduction granted and it has moved the organization to where to becoming the leading, self-sustaining wildlife it is now. conservation agency that transforms Uganda into one of the best ecotourism destinations in Africa. This annual corporate report is therefore accountability to all sector players and the general public of what we are doing in executing the mandate of the institution in line with its vision and mission. Benjamin Nelson Otto Uganda Wildlife Authority is on a steady course Chairman UWA Board of Trustees UGANDA WILDLIFE AUTHORITY 8TH BOARD OF TRUSTEE Mr. Benjamin Nelson Otto Chairman Dr. Akankwasah Barirega Mr. Samuel John Mwandha Dr. Kasoma Pantaleon Mukasa Chairperson Human Resources Executive Director and Board Banda Chairperson Planning & Committee Secretary Development Committee Ms. Zeridah Zigiti Mr. Wamakote Leonard Dr. Nalwanga Dianah Chairperson Finance Committee Chairperson Audit and Risk Member Committee Mr. Kagumaho Kakuyo Eng. Ivan Batuma Mbabazi Hon. Baliddawa Edward Member Member Member CORPORATE REPORT 2018 | 5 Introduction Foreword STATEMENT FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR It is with great pleasure that I present to you the annual corporate report highlighting the organizational performance for the financial year 2017/2018 It focuses on the implementation sector of Mt. Elgon National Park of management programs (MENP). Additionally, in 2017, based on the Annual the Kapkwai Gate in MENP Operations Plan (AOP). was burnt. Investigations The major achievements to establish the motive registered during the and personalities behind financial year are clearly this heinous act were highlighted as well as the done and two suspects challenges faced while were arrested. Not much implementing the activities. property besides the structures was destroyed. UWA for the first time participated and competed for The first sweep of the Bwindi the employer of the year 2017 awards. Impenetrable National Park (BINP) UWA won two awards including the most Gorilla Census was concluded successfully. benevolent CEO of the year and employer of year Meanwhile the results for the Virunga Massif Gorilla Corporate Social Responsibility. Census conducted in 2016 were released by Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) and The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the three protected area authorities of Uganda, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu (MP) commissioned the Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo Wildlife Tower that will play a key role in providing the (DRC). The results show that the mountain gorilla organization a cushion against the unforeseeable population in the Virunga Massif has increased lean periods, when revenue from tourism activities from 480 in 2010 to 604 in 2016. is low, by generating additional revenue. The launch of Kanjokya building was real evidence of UWA’s UWA continued with the drive to strengthen our efforts to undertake sustainable conservation. relationship with communities neighbouring. We undertook community sensitization and also All Protected Areas reported a calm and peaceful provided funding towards improving community situation during the financial year except areas in livelihoods where a total of UGX 1,658,837,714= Kidepo Valley National Park (KVNP) and near Kasese revenue sharing funds was disbursed to various that experienced heavy floods in the first quarter districts towards supporting livelihoods of which affected tourism activities in these two parks. communities neighbouring the protected areas. On a sad note however, in the fourth quarter, one of our staff in Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), We equally engaged in activities that create more lost her son to a leopard attack. Another staff visibility for the organization. We have improved was murdered by illegal tree cutters in Kapchorwa on our media relations and our relationships with 6 | CORPORATE REPORT 2018 Introduction other stakeholders through participation in various infrastructure development, monitoring and evaluation, events including sports. research, law enforcement, human wildlife conflict mitigation and improvement of community livelihoods. The organization still grapples with a challenge of limited funding for infrastructure