New Mbale Wildlife Centre to Boost Eastern Uganda Tourism

The launch of the Uganda Wildlife Education and Conservation Centre in Mbale City on Friday marks a significant step in the country’s tourism development strategy. Vice President Jessica Alupo inaugurated the facility, emphasizing its role in driving economic growth and decentralizing conservation education, which has historically been concentrated in Entebbe.

This new center is part of a broader government plan to elevate tourism as a key sector for achieving a $500 billion GDP. Officials highlighted that the previous geographic limitation of wildlife education in Entebbe made it inaccessible for many Ugandans, particularly students, due to distance and cost.

The Mbale facility aims to address this by bringing wildlife education closer to the people of eastern Uganda and neighboring regions, including Kenya. Minister of State for Tourism, Suzan Nakawuki, echoed the importance of this initiative within the government’s tenfold growth strategy, noting tourism’s contribution to job creation, foreign exchange, and local economies.

Dr. James Musinguzi, Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), explained that the Mbale center is also intended to decongest the Entebbe facility and regionalize conservation efforts. He pointed out that the center is already generating employment, with local farmers supplying food for the animals, thereby integrating the community into the money economy. Future plans include similar centers in Gulu and Kyenjo.

Prof. James Kalema, Chairperson of the UWA Board of Trustees, underscored the importance of conservation education in protecting Uganda’s natural heritage. He believes the Mbale center will serve as a crucial link between communities and conservation initiatives, fostering environmental awareness and active participation in biodiversity protection.

Local leaders have voiced further development needs, including the establishment of more skilling centers and improved infrastructure like an airstrip, to fully capitalize on the tourism potential of the region. The new Mbale center is expected to significantly uplift the region’s annual tourism earnings, which have historically lagged behind major tourism hubs like Bwindi and Murchison Falls.

This initiative was launched on Friday, June 13, 2026, as reported by the Daily Monitor.