Mbale City, Uganda: Vice President Jessica Alupo Friday officially launched the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC)-Mbale regional facility and urged Ugandans to embrace conservation as a shared responsibility critical to the country’s sustainable development and economic transformation.
Presiding over the launch at UWEC offices in Mbale City, Ms Alupo described the facility as a major milestone in advancing conservation education and bringing wildlife awareness services closer to communities in Eastern Uganda.
She said Mbale’s rich cultural heritage, strategic location, and growing tourism potential make it an ideal destination for the regional centre.
“Mbale’s strong cultural values and growing tourism potential make it an ideal location for this Centre, which will enhance awareness, support research and contribute to job creation and economic growth across tourism, agriculture and industry,” Alupo said.
The Vice President called upon all Ugandans to actively participate in conservation efforts, noting that environmental protection remains key to national development and the well-being of future generations.
“I call upon all Ugandans to embrace conservation as a shared responsibility that contributes to national transformation through unlocking opportunities for education, research, job creation, and sustainable development,” she noted.
VP Alupo also commended the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), district leaders, Resident District Commissioners, security agencies, cultural institutions, the media and the people of Mbale for their continued commitment to conservation and service delivery.
Musinguzi: Centre Will Transform Conservation Mindset
UWA Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi said the establishment of UWEC-Mbale marks a significant step in decentralising conservation education and promoting greater public participation in tourism.
He noted that the centre is expected to transform people’s attitudes towards conservation by bringing wildlife education closer to communities and encouraging more Ugandans to appreciate and participate in the tourism sector.
“The Education Centre is set to transform people’s mindset towards conservation while encouraging the active participation of all Ugandans in tourism,” Musinguzi said.
The UWA ED expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni and the Government of Uganda for their continued support towards wildlife conservation and tourism development.
He added that the facility will strengthen environmental awareness, conservation research, tourism promotion, and community engagement in Eastern Uganda.
Bringing Conservation Education Closer to Communities
State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities Susan Nakawuki Nsambu described the facility as a significant milestone in bringing conservation education closer to Ugandans. “This Centre reflects our shared commitment to conservation, tourism development, and community empowerment,” Hon Nakawuki said.
She noted that the facility will serve as a hub for wildlife education, research and cultural tourism, benefiting learners, researchers, local communities and businesses across the tourism value chain.
“Mbale holds immense tourism potential, and this facility will serve as a hub for wildlife education, research and cultural tourism, benefiting learners, researchers and the wider tourism value chain including local businesses, hotels and tour operators,” she added.
Mbale City Woman MP and State Minister for Public Service Lydia Wanyoto Mutende welcomed the establishment of the facility, saying it will support local economic development and complement government programmes aimed at improving household incomes.
“The facility will support local farmers and small businesses by attracting tourists and boosting incomes,” Wanyoto said, urging residents and business operators to maintain high standards of cleanliness, hospitality, and service delivery to maximise benefits from the expected growth in tourism.
Umukuka Hails Historic Milestone
The Umukuka of Inzu Ya Masaba, His Royal Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, described the launch as a historic development for Eastern Uganda.
He noted that conservation education had for many years been concentrated in Entebbe, forcing communities from distant regions to travel long distances to access wildlife learning opportunities. “That barrier has now been broken, allowing local communities to directly engage in wildlife knowledge and environmental awareness,” he said.
The cultural leader pledged continued support towards conservation efforts and highlighted the facility’s potential to create employment opportunities in conservation education, hospitality, research, tour guiding and community outreach.
Conservation Now Closer to the People
UWA Board Chairperson Prof. James Kalema said the launch represents an important step in strengthening conservation education, research and public awareness. “Conservation has taken another step closer to the people,” Kalema said.
He emphasized that the facility will inspire more Ugandans to appreciate wildlife and actively participate in protecting the country’s biodiversity for future generations.
The UWEC-Mbale regional centre is expected to serve as a hub for conservation learning, environmental awareness, tourism promotion, and research, supporting the government’s broader strategy of decentralising wildlife education services across Uganda.
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