The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), established
in August 1996 by the Uganda Wildlife Statute, is in charge of
managing all protected areas in Uganda including 10 National Parks,
12 Wildlife Reserves, 14 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 5 Community Wildlife
Areas (which cover about 20% of the country). UWA is also
responsible for all wildlife outside PAs. National Parks provide
the highest conservation status of all the protected area
categories. They are created through an Act of Parliament, and
require an act of parliament to be degazetted. National Parks do
not permit extractive use, unlike other PA categories and
therefore, they provide an important safety net for biodiversity.
Wildlife Reserves are managed for conservation of unique and rare
species. Some wildlife reserves have been used as pathways for game
migration. Wildlife sanctuaries are managed mainly to ensure the
maintenance of habitats or to meet the requirements of specific
species. Community wildlife management areas are also managed
mainly to ensure the maintenance of habitats. The Government of
Uganda has made significant investments in most PAs in the country,
however eight PAs in the Kidepo landscape, including Kidepo Valley
National Park, the third largest in Uganda, have been neglected
over the last 20 years. By addressing management deficits in these
sites, this project will strengthen the national PA system as a
whole.
