UWA Breaks Silence on Kidepo Deal, Says Park Is Not Being Sold

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) have announced plans to establish a Collaborative Management Partnership (CMP) for the Kidepo Valley Conservation Landscape, a new initiative aimed at enhancing wildlife conservation, improving livelihoods and unlocking sustainable investment in the region.

The proposal, which has already received approval from the UWA Board of Trustees, marks a new chapter in the long-standing relationship between the two conservation organisations, which have worked together for more than 30 years to protect Uganda’s wildlife and natural habitats.

In a joint statement, UWA and AWF said the proposed partnership is intended to strengthen the management of protected areas, improve the conservation of endangered species, curb wildlife crime and promote sustainable development while creating lasting economic opportunities for communities living around the conservation landscape.

“The partnership builds on more than three decades of collaboration between UWA and AWF to conserve Uganda’s wildlife and protected areas,” the organisations said.

The two institutions revealed that they are currently engaging stakeholders to design a framework that will guide the implementation of the partnership and improve the long-term management of the Kidepo Valley Conservation Landscape.

According to the statement, the initiative is expected to attract additional financial and technical support, strengthen institutional capacity and improve conservation outcomes while expanding community-led conservation programmes.

The organisations also moved to address concerns circulating on social media and other platforms that the partnership could result in the privatisation or transfer of Kidepo Valley National Park.

They stressed that the Government of Uganda will continue to own and manage Kidepo Valley National Park and all other protected areas within the conservation landscape.

UWA and AWF emphasized that the proposed arrangement does not involve the sale, lease, privatisation or transfer of ownership or management authority of any protected area.

Instead, they said the partnership is designed to enhance biodiversity conservation, strengthen landscape management and generate long-term economic benefits for neighbouring communities through sustainable financing and responsible development.

The organisations added that local communities, cultural institutions, district local governments, development partners and other key stakeholders will play a central role in shaping and implementing the initiative.

They said the partnership will be guided by the principles of transparency, collaboration, inclusiveness and shared responsibility, with stakeholder consultations continuing throughout the planning process.

UWA and AWF also pledged to provide regular updates as the proposal moves through the government’s review and approval process.

“Stakeholders will continue to receive updates through official communication channels as the process progresses,” the statement said.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority is responsible for managing the country’s protected areas and conserving wildlife resources, while the African Wildlife Foundation supports conservation efforts across the continent through research, policy development, community partnerships and sustainable environmental programmes.

If approved, the Collaborative Management Partnership is expected to strengthen the protection of one of Uganda’s most important wildlife ecosystems while increasing opportunities for local communities to benefit from tourism, conservation and sustainable economic development.