Despite Uganda being aglobal biodiversity hotspot, hosting over 54% of the world’s mountain gorillas, 11% of the world’s bird species, and 7.8% of global mammal diversity and ranked among the top ten most bio-diverse countries worldwide, with over 350 mammal species, including significant populations of chimpanzees, elephants, and rare tree-climbing lions,Uganda has recorded a decline in both lion and elephant population, New state of Wildlife Report 2026 has revealed.
According to the Uganda Wild Life Authority report population of Lions dropped from 373 in 2020 to 291 in the 2022/2023 census, representing a 21.99 per cent decline in just over three years.
Ugandas lions are now mainly found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.
By the mid-1960s, Uganda was regarded as Africa’s leading safari destination, even surpassing Kenya and Tanzania in wildlife-based tourism.
The country remained East Africa’s top tourism destination until 1971, with wildlife tourism booming under the management of the Game Department and Uganda National Parks.
However, political instability and civil unrest between 1971 and 1985 triggered a major collapse.
Elephant numbers dropped sharply. In Queen Elizabeth National Park from 2,500 and 4,000 in the 1960s to just 150 by 1980 meanwhile in Murchison Falls National Park, numbers fell from 12,000 to only 1,420.
The latest report estimates Uganda’s elephant population at 6,352 between 2023 and 2025, compared to 6,621 recorded between 2021 and 2023.
The report further shows that buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, rhinos and antelopes numbers are on increase.
Key Wildlife Populations (2026 Report)
Buffalo Population has increased to over 41,548.
Elephant Populations have seen fluctuation, with recent reports indicating over 7,900.
Giraffes:Populations have increased nearly sixfold, reaching over 2,072.
Uganda Kob:population is approximately 175,109.
Population of Birds is over 1,073 recorded species, representing 50% of Africa’s bird species.
According to the report illegal wildlife use remains the biggest threat, especially poaching for bushmeat and ivory. Most poaching is carried out using wire snares which often injjure and kill animals indiscminately
Uganda Wild Life Authority Executive Director Dr James Musinguzi reaffimred commitemrnt to improving patrols, species restocking, ranger deployment, community cooperation and the use of technology such as SMART monitoring systems, camera traps and aerial surveys to boost recovery.
Tourism Minister Tom Butime warned that wildlife remains under growing pressure from human activity and if not addressed could affect not only wildlife but also tourism income, food security and Uganda’s long-term economic resilience.
Wildlife is the cornerstone of Uganda’s tourism sector, generating over 5.5% of the national GDP and attracting 1.4 million visitors who generated $1.3 billion in 2024. Key attractions like mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and savanna wildlife in national parks support thousands of jobs, drive infrastructure development, and generate revenue for community development and conservation
Wildlife tourism serves as a major source of foreign exchange. Gorilla trekking permits alone earned approximately $26 million in the 2018/19 financial year. By 2024, tourism, largely driven by wildlife, contributed significantly to a $1.3 billion income for the country.
The tourism industry directly employs thousands, particularly in rural areas surrounding protected areas, through jobs as rangers, guides, hotel staff, and rangers.
