Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) have established a long-term conservation partnership worth $21 million aimed at strengthening wildlife protection, ecosystem restoration and community livelihoods within the Kidepo Valley Conservation Landscape over the next decade.
The collaborative management arrangement approval by UWA Board of Trustees is expected to provide a significant boost to conservation efforts in and around Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Uganda’s most iconic and ecologically important protected areas located in the remote Karamoja sub-region in northeastern Uganda.Its well known for its rich biodiversity, spectacular savannah landscapes and unique wildlife species found nowhere else in the country. The park is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness destinations.
In a letter dated April 9, 2026, addressed to AWF Uganda, UWA Executive Director Dr James Musinguzi confirmed that the Authority’s Board had endorsed the proposal and authorised the development of a comprehensive business plan to guide fundraising, implementation and long-term management of the partnership.
“The Board approved the proposal and authorised management to develop a detailed business plan to support fundraising and implementation of the collaborative management framework,” the letter stated
Under the proposed arrangement, AWF is expected to invest up to Shs78.8 billion over a period of 10 years. The partnership will commence with an initial investment of approximately Shs3.8 billion upon signing of the agreement, with subsequent funding released in phases throughout the implementation period.
Dr Musinguzi said the collaboration seeks to strengthen conservation management across the broader Kidepo Valley Conservation Landscape, including the Karenga Community Wildlife Management Area, neighbouring central forest reserves and other critical biodiversity hotspots surrounding the national park.
“Together, we aim to transform the Kidepo Valley Conservation Landscape into a resilient ecosystem and a sustainably managed protected area that contributes to Uganda’s socio-economic development while promoting conservation and improving community livelihoods,” Musinguzi said.
He noted that the partnership is expected to enhance wildlife protection, improve habitat management, strengthen ecological monitoring systems and support community-based conservation initiatives designed to ensure local communities benefit from the region’s natural resources.
The proposed collaboration comes at a time when conservation agencies across Africa are increasingly seeking innovative financing mechanisms and strategic partnerships to address growing threats to biodiversity, including habitat degradation, climate change, wildlife crime and human-wildlife conflict.
AWF has maintained a longstanding presence in Uganda and currently works closely with government agencies and conservation institutions on a range of wildlife protection and community development programmes.
Among its flagship initiatives is the Canines for Conservation programme, which deploys specially trained sniffer dogs and handlers at Entebbe International Airport to detect and intercept illegal wildlife products being trafficked through the country.
The organisation has also partnered with UWA and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to strengthen investigations and prosecution of wildlife crimes through specialised training and institutional capacity-building.
