Wildlife Research and Training Institute launches first research symposium

KASESE, UGANDA: The Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute-UWRTI in Katwe, Kasese District has launched the wildlife research symposium.

The first-ever research symposium which will be held on June 30th, will showcase the role of research in wildlife conservation, and how the tourism sector can enhance community-based conservation and community livelihoods.

Some of the research to be presented will include the management of invasive species and community-based conservation approaches.

According to the institute, research findings will help the country to inform better wildlife conservation practices, policy formulation, and development of the tourism sector as a whole.

Dr. Moses Muhumuza the principal researcher told URN that the symposium will bring together different researchers in the wildlife conservation area to share what they have been doing and to what extent it can benefit the tourism sector.

The event will also help different researchers to network and increase the visibility of the institute in championing conservation.

Dr. Muhumuza added that they have also been undertaking research on how the community can be helped to engage in alternative ways of livelihoods that can support wildlife conservation.

The UWTRI Principal, Robert Baluku said there have been limited studies in conserving wildlife resources and this gap threatens the future existence of these resources. He added that applied research is aimed at finding a lasting solution to help the country to manage its resources.

Godfrey Iguma, a student at UWRTI said his participation in the research activities has given him lessons to appreciate what is threatening the existing natural resources in Queen Elizabeth national park.

UWTRI started in 1991 with a certificate course for Uganda National Parks and Game Department meant to cater to middle-level technical persons.

Following the formulation of the wildlife policy in 1994 and the subsequent enactment of the wildlife statute in 1996, Uganda’s national parks and game department were merged to form the Uganda Wildlife Authority-UWA.

In the same year, the government formulated the UWTI statute in 1996. In addition to offering training, in 2015 UWRTI was given the mandate to undertake research.