PHOTOS: UWA Receives Heavy Road Construction Equipment to Boost Conservation Infrastructure

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has received a fleet of road construction and maintenance equipment procured under the Integrated Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development (IFPA-CD) World Bank Project, in a major boost to infrastructure development and conservation management across the country’s protected areas.

The equipment was officially handed over on June 15, 2026, during a ceremony held at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe. Representatives of the contracted suppliers formally presented the machinery to UWA officials, marking a significant milestone in the authority’s efforts to improve accessibility and operational efficiency within national parks and wildlife reserves.

Under the project, UWA contracted M/s Mantrac Uganda Limited and M/s Muhick International Limited to supply a range of road construction and maintenance equipment, including four excavators, three motor graders, four tractors with accessories, and four bulldozers.

So far, eleven machines comprising three motor graders, four excavators, and four tractors with accessories have been delivered. The equipment will be deployed to key conservation areas, including Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

According to UWA, the machinery will support road maintenance, infrastructure improvement, and operational efficiency in protected areas. Improved road access is expected to facilitate conservation activities, enhance tourism operations, and enable faster response to management needs within the parks.

During the handover ceremony, representatives of the supplying companies thanked UWA for the opportunity to participate in the project and reaffirmed their commitment to delivering the remaining machinery before the end of June 2026 in line with the contract terms.

Speaking at the event, UWA Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi commended the suppliers for fulfilling their contractual obligations and delivering the equipment within the agreed timelines.

Dr. Musinguzi said the machinery will play a critical role in opening and maintaining tracks within protected areas, removing invasive plant species, and improving access for conservation management and tourism activities.

He added that the equipment will significantly strengthen UWA’s capacity to maintain road networks, improve accessibility, and enhance operations across conservation areas. The machinery will also support habitat management interventions and contribute to the effective delivery of UWA’s conservation mandate by ensuring protected areas have the necessary equipment to undertake critical infrastructure and ecosystem management works.

The acquisition of the equipment builds on a series of conservation and tourism improvement initiatives being implemented under Dr. Musinguzi’s leadership.

Since assuming office, Dr. Musinguzi has overseen efforts to enhance visitor experiences and wildlife management through the construction of dams and water reservoirs to provide reliable water sources for animals during the dry season, the removal of invasive plant species to promote the growth of palatable grass for wildlife, and the continuous maintenance of roads and game tracks across protected areas.

These interventions have improved habitat conditions for wildlife while ensuring visitors enjoy safer, more comfortable, and memorable experiences in Uganda’s national parks and wildlife reserves.

With the addition of the new fleet, UWA expects to further strengthen infrastructure development, improve ecosystem management, and support the continued growth of Uganda’s tourism sector, one of the country’s leading sources of foreign exchange earnings and employment.