Strengthening frontline forest protection in the Kidepo Valley landscape. Construction of a four-stance ranger post in the Kidepo Valley landscape has reached the roofing stage, marking an important milestone in strengthening the protection of Nyangea-Napore Central Forest Reserve and neighbouring forest reserves. Funded by the @EUinUG NaturAfrica Project, the facility is being developed by the Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF) in support of the National Forestry Authority (NFA), under the Ministry of Water and Environment. Once operational, the ranger post will provide accommodation for forestry officers and forest guards, supporting field operations, facilitating forest patrols and strengthening the teams responsible for protecting these vital ecosystems. Effective forest conservation depends on the people on the frontline and the infrastructure that enables them to do their work. By supporting improved facilities for forestry personnel, this initiative will contribute to efforts to address illegal activities and safeguard the forests of the Kidepo Valley landscape. As construction progresses, UCF remains committed to supporting conservation partners in strengthening the capacity needed to protect Uganda's natural heritage. #UgandaConservationFoundation #NaturAfrica #ForestConservation #KidepoValley #ConservationInAction #MWEworks

81 women and youth. New skills. Greater opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. Last week, 81 women and youth from Morungole and Naperotom Conservancies graduated from a four-month vocational training programme at Matany Girl's Vocational School, equipped with practical skills and start-up toolkits to help them take their next steps towards employment and entrepreneurship. The graduates trained in Building and Construction, Fashion and Design, Hairdressing and Cosmetology, Catering and Bakery, and Tourism and Hospitality. Beyond technical training, the programme provided business and financial literacy, coaching, and linkages to financial institutions, helping graduates prepare to establish businesses, pursue employment, and build sustainable livelihoods. For UCF, community livelihoods and conservation are closely connected. UCF contributed technical support to the initiative through programme design and the identification of beneficiaries, helping ensure that the intervention responds to the livelihood needs of communities adjacent to Kidepo Valley National Park. By expanding access to practical skills and economic opportunities, initiatives like this can strengthen community resilience, enable households to benefit from local opportunities, and support the long-term conservation of the landscapes and natural resources on which communities depend. This achievement reflects a collaborative effort by the Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF), the @EUinUG, @NRT_Kenya, @ugwildlife, National Forestry Authority, and @WRTIKenya to expand livelihood opportunities for communities adjacent to Kidepo Valley National Park. Congratulations to all 81 graduates. May this milestone open doors to new opportunities, thriving enterprises, and more resilient communities. #UgandaConservationFoundation #CommunityEmpowerment #SustainableLivelihoods #KidepoValleyNationalPark #YouthEmpowerment

Conservation runs on people who can keep vehicles moving. This week, 29 @ugwildlife drivers and mechanics trained with @Toyota_UG at the Murchison Falls workshop: eco-driving, 4x4 terrain, diff locks and winch recovery. First step toward certified drivers and mechanics across UWA estates. #UgandaCF #MurchisonFallsNationalPark

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Nickson Wathum, on Sunday 11th October 2026. For more than ten years, Nickson was a pillar of the UCF family. As our Construction & Youth Skill Development Officer in Murchison Falls, he left his mark across the landscape he cared so much about. He built ranger posts in Murchison Falls and other national parks, repaired bridges, and led numerous construction projects both inside and outside the parks. He also played a key role in renovating the Murchison Falls Joint Operations Command Centre and in building radio towers across the park, work that keeps rangers safer and wildlife better protected every single day. Nickson’s greatest legacy was the people he invested in. A natural leader, he mentored young people in the communities bordering the park, passing on his construction skills and giving them the confidence to build a future for themselves. Many of those young men and women found employment long after their training ended. His dedication, humility and generosity will be remembered by everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him. What he built will stand for years to come: in the ranger posts, the bridges, the towers and above all in the lives of those he mentored. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, and with the entire UCF community. Rest in peace, Nickson. You will be deeply missed. #MurchisonFalls #UgandaCF

To every sponsor and partner who stood with us at this year's Wildlife Ranger Challenge: thank you. Ranger teams took on the 21km race from parks and conservancies across Uganda, including Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley, Kibale Forest and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Morungole and Naperatom Community Conservancies, and Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. Behind every team stood a partner who made their race possible: @SpekeUgholidays, @gorillo_s , @AfrSafaris, @CityAmbulance , @consafuganda , Wigwam, Red Chilli, @Engsol_UG , @exp_uganda , @SpaceforGiants, KOS Safaris, @MarasAfrica , the Young Rangers, @Toyota_UG and @NileSpecial . Some even laced up and ran the course alongside the rangers themselves. A special thank you to @LillyAjarova , Senior Presidential Advisor on Tourism and a former UCF Director, whose efforts helped make this event a success. Lily also ran the 21km herself, and afterwards shared how every tired step brought her thoughts back to the rangers, who face far tougher terrain every day, and to the people who protect the natural heritage that makes Uganda extraordinary. Thank you, Lily, for running for them. This support doesn't stop on race day. These contributions allow the Wildlife Ranger Challenge to fund real work on the ground: ranger welfare, equipment, training and the day-to-day resources that protect Uganda's wildlife and the people who guard it. #WildlifeRangerChallenge #ForWildlifeRangers #UgandaCF #MurchisonFalls #VisitUganda

Always on the frontline, protecting wildlife, communities and tourism, the brave men and women rangers of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) are the foundation of Uganda's efforts to grow tourism and enable massive job youth creation, in line with Uganda's #Vision2040. Thank you to the rangers for everything they do to protect. @tusk_org @ugwildlife #ThisIsUganda #ForWildlifeRangers #VisitUganda #ExploreUganda #MurchisonFalls

African tourism expanded by 4% against a Global increase of 0.4%. Whilst there is growth it will largely be in hotspots. But it is a ten fold difference. In Uganda, the President of Uganda is pushing for tourism's contribution to GDP to triple - which is very plausible. It is already one of the biggest forex exchange earners, yet is tiny in comparison to the main players in Africa. It means there must be greater investment by the Government and partners in many areas needed. That starts with the supporting the Uganda Wildlife Authority in their success in conserving the protected areas and wildlife for future generations. Uganda's proud heritage needs to be protected and kept pristine. UCF continues to partner with the Uganda Wildlife Authority with very tangible and long term programmes in Kidepo/ Karamoja, Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. #queenelizabethnationalpark #murchisonfallsnationalpark #kidepovalleynationalpark #UNTourism #VisitUganda untourism.int/news/internati…