KAMPALA – Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has received a donation of a Veterinary Vehicle and Motorcycle from Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF) to facilitate quicker rescue to wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park.
A single cabin fully equipped Land Cruiser modified to fit field requirements with its accessories and a motorcycle were handed over to UWA Executive Director Sam Mwandha by the Programme Manager UCF Patrick Agaba.
Mr. Agaba who said that the donation was courtesy of support from Olsen Animal Trust appreciated the trust for its unwavering support towards wildlife conservation in Uganda.
He called on UWA to ensure that the vehicle is taken good care of so that it performs its rightful role of ensuring UWA Veterinary staffs have means to respond to any emergency in the shortest time possible.
The UWA ED Mwandha appreciated UCF for its continuous support towards conservation and expressed commitment to ensure vehicle in well maintained in good running condition.
“There is need to rescue giraffes, lions, elephants and other wildlife whenever in need of veterinary attention. The vehicle comes in handy and we will ensure that it is in good running condition all the time,” he emphasized.
The UWA Deputy Director Field Operations Charles Tumwesigye described the donated vehicle and motorcycle as great additions to the Murchison Falls national Park recovery project, which started in 2010-2011 with the aim of helping the park to recover from the effects of the Lords Resistance Army war.
The project has since helped in building ranger posts in the areas where they were required, trained people in marine operations and equipped the park with marine boats and boat engines among others.
The vehicle has been a missing gap and with its acquisition, law enforcement and the veterinary (Problem Animal Team) are better equipped to address the challenge of wildlife conservation in Murchison.
