UWA Board of Trustees Supervisory Visit Reaches Kibale Conservation Area.
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Board of Trustees today continued its supervisory mission with a visit to Kibale Conservation Area (KCA), fondly known as the Primate Capital of the World. The day’s program began at Isunga, the KCA headquarters, where the Board Chair, Prof. James Kalema, and his team were received with a Guard of Honour before inspecting the parade.
Afterwards, Chief Warden John Justice Tibesigwa gave an overview of KCA to the delegation before field visits commenced. His briefing highlighted the conservation values of the area, ongoing management programs, and community initiatives such as building energy-saving stoves for communities, as well as mitigation measures against human–wildlife conflict like trenching and boardwalk construction to reduce elephant incursions, among others.
At Mainaro, the Board assessed forest restoration efforts covering 10,000 hectares of indigenous tree species, an initiative that began in 1994. The restoration has successfully revived a once degraded landscape, attracting wildlife back into the area. The Board commended the remarkable progress made and offered further guidance to strengthen the program.
The delegation also inspected key infrastructure developments including the newly launched Conservation Education Centre, a 20-room hostel, staff housing units under construction, and utility projects such as power line extensions to Mainaro and a water supply project.
Attention was further given to problem animal management interventions, with the Board touring trenches, boardwalks, and beehive setups along the restored forest. While there, they had an opportunity to interact with community members, including Mr. Magara Dodovic, a farmer whose garden borders the park. He testified that interventions such as trenches and beehives have transformed life around his garden, turning “cry into joy” as elephants no longer raid his crops.
At Kanyanchu, members reviewed visitor facilities and the proposed site for a new Visitor Information Centre and gate. The day concluded at Sebitoli, where the Chief Warden briefed the Board on plans for a multipurpose hall and a canopy walk to further boost tourism in this biodiversity-rich landscape.
The Board will tomorrow continue its supervisory visit in Semuliki National Park, where scheduled activities include an inspection of the Semuliki Airstrip and other priority conservation initiatives.