Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) was set in 1996 to conserve and manage Uganda’s wildlife for the people of Uganda and on behalf of government. This agency was established in 1996 after the merger of the Uganda National Parks and the Game Department, and the enactment of the Uganda Wildlife Statute, which became an Act in 2000. Uganda Wildlife Authority is mandated to ensure sustainable management of wildlife resources and supervise wildlife activities in Uganda both within and outside the protected areas.
Today, Uganda wildlife Authority manages ten recognized national parks namely, Bwindi impenetrable National Park – famous for hosting Mountain Gorillas in south western Uganda, Mgahinga National Park-also home for one Group of Gorilla group called Nyakagezi, Kidepo Valley National Park situated in North Eastern Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park located in northern Uganda, Kibale Forest National park well known for keeping the largest number of chimpanzees in Uganda, Semliki National Park which is known for hot springs, Queen Elizabeth National Park- the second largest park and a haven for wild animals, bird, water bodies among others. Mountain Rwenzori and Elgon National Parks are known for mountaineering safaris in Uganda. Rwenzori is some times called mountains of the moon with the highest peak called Margarita.
Not only National Park, Uganda Wildlife Authority also manages 12 wildlife reserves. It also manages five community wildlife management areas and 13 wildlife sanctuaries. The challenges facing the management and conservation of wildlife and biodiversity in Uganda are myriad, and they include poaching, competition in the regional tourism market, human wildlife conflict and wildlife crimes.
The stakeholders, partners and communities that live around these protected areas have been employed to help tackle some of these issues. The organization has also developed strategies within its management policies to help solve some of these challenges. The Uganda wildlife Authority is also responsible for setting prices of different activities, issuing out Gorilla permits, chimpanzee permits, park entry permits among others.
Mountain Gorillas is the leading tourist attraction in Uganda, and the major source of revenue to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Same as Rwanda, mountain gorillas attract many tourists into the country to Volcanoes National Park. These are the only safe gorilla safari destinations in the World where once can see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
One must posses a gorilla permit to be allowed to join the trek in search for mountain gorillas. Uganda permits cost US$700 for foreigners, US$600 for foreign residents and UGX300,000 for Ugandans. If you want to track gorillas twice, it means you should posses 2 permits.