The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) tabled a Shs4bn budget for the construction of a wall fence along the Entebbe Zoo so as to protect occupants of State House Entebbe and other surroundings against attacks from wild animals that may go rowdy.
The request was made by Mr James Musinguzi, the Executive Director of UWEC while appearing before Parliament’s Tourism Committee to present the entity’s 2023/2024 ministerial policy statement where he asked Parliament to ensure that an additional Shs20bn is availed for Entebbe Zoo to carry out planned activities that haven’t been provided for in the budget, of which Shs4bn will go towards the construction of the wall fence.
“The construction of a wall fence will ensure the safety and security of visitors. As you are aware, we have quite a number of offices, schools, Entebbe town and state house that are surrounding the centre. And for us to ensure safety and security, we would like to ensure that the centre is highly secured through putting up a wall fence to tighten security in case of any animal escape or accidents,” said Musinguzi.
The balance of Shs16Bn according to him will go towards the establishment of a regional zoo in Mbale district to serve the Eastern region, and the additional funds will go towards the construction of a boat docking facility at Entebbe Zoo shoreline.
He also argued that the construction of the wall fence will ensure that Uganda holds onto its position for having the best zoo in East, West and Central Africa as part of the standard operating procedures ahead of an audit by the global zoo facility that will happen soon.
In 2022, UWEC recorded 490,000 visitors to the zoo and the centre collected revenue to the tune of Shs4.38Bn in the 2023/2024 national budget, the centre has been allocated Shs9.48Bn and of this, Shs3.4Bn will go towards payment of wages for staff.
About UWEC
The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center is a fun and exciting place to see and learn about the animals of Uganda and the ecosystems in which they live. Take some time to learn how they live, eat, play, and walk.
Originally founded in the 1950s to accommodate confiscated and injured wildlife and to look after orphan animals confiscated from smugglers, the centre has grown considerably in recent years.
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