KAMPALA, UGANDA – Uganda has unveiled a 10-year strategic plan aimed at reversing the alarming decline of its large carnivores, including lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, and African wild dogs, whose populations have dropped significantly in recent years due to poaching, habitat destruction, and human-wildlife conflict.
The plan, developed through a consultative process involving government agencies, conservationists, international NGOs, and researchers, seeks to protect these species and ensure their long-term survival. Officials say it is a critical step toward preserving Uganda’s biodiversity and sustaining its tourism industry, which relies heavily on wildlife attractions such as the famed tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Conservationists and government officials gathered at the National Wildlife Conservation Conference 2025 in Kampala, where key stakeholders emphasized the urgent need for funding and collaboration to prevent further decline of Uganda’s iconic predators.
Once home to a thriving lion population, Uganda now faces a stark reality. Over the past few decades, the number of lions in key national parks has dropped by more than half. Queen Elizabeth National Park, which had 400 lions in the 1960s, now holds just 39 individuals. Kidepo Valley National Park’s population has dwindled to 12 lions, while some areas, including Lake Mburo and the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, have seen their lion populations vanish entirely.
Dr. James Musinguzi, Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), called the situation a tipping point for conservation efforts in Uganda. “We are witnessing a critical moment for Uganda’s large carnivores. Without immediate action, lions and other carnivores could disappear from our ecosystems forever,” he said. The newly launched Strategic and Action Plan for Large Carnivore Conservation (2024-2034) seeks to reverse this downward trend. It focuses on habitat restoration, anti-poaching measures, and community-led conservation efforts to ensure the survival of lions, cheetahs, and other key predators.
Recent population surveys conducted in 2018, 2022, and 2023 revealed particularly sharp declines in Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo Valley National Parks. Conservationists attribute the losses to illegal hunting, the poisoning of predators in retaliation for livestock attacks, and habitat degradation caused by human encroachment, infrastructure development, and climate change.
The strategic plan, covering the years 2024 to 2034, aims to reduce poaching rates by at least 50%, improve carnivore habitats, promote coexistence between humans and wildlife, and enhance research and conservation efforts. Officials also hope to increase large carnivore populations by 30% over the next decade.
A key focus of the initiative is tackling illegal wildlife killings. Lions, leopards, and hyenas often fall victim to snares set for their prey, while some lions are targeted specifically for their body parts, which are used in traditional medicine or sold on international markets.
The plan also emphasizes education and awareness, acknowledging that many policymakers and local communities fail to recognize the ecological and economic value of carnivores. By fostering collaboration between conservation groups, local communities, and government agencies, authorities hope to shift attitudes and encourage more sustainable coexistence.
Financing conservation efforts remains a major hurdle. During his keynote address, Jan Sadek, Head of the European Union Delegation to Uganda, underscored the global funding gap for conservation, estimated at $700 billion annually. He stressed the need for public-private partnerships, eco-tourism investment, and green financing mechanisms to sustain conservation programs. “Conservation is not free. It requires significant resources, but it is also an economic opportunity,” Sadek said. “Nature-based tourism generates millions of dollars for Uganda annually, and it is in our best interest to protect the biodiversity that fuels this industry.”
Illegal wildlife trade has emerged as a growing threat, with increasing demand for lion body parts both domestically and internationally. Conservationists warn that poaching is driven by traditional beliefs and cross-border smuggling networks, putting further pressure on an already fragile population. WWF Uganda, a key partner in the action plan, is leading efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and human-wildlife conflict. Ivan Tumuhimbiise, WWF Uganda Country Director, highlighted the role of international partnerships in addressing these challenges. “We are tackling illegal wildlife trade through projects supported by the UK government, while also working with communities to reduce retaliatory killings of lions,” he said. “When lions attack livestock, some villagers respond by poisoning them. We need sustainable solutions that protect both people and wildlife.”
The $44.56 million action plan will focus on strengthening anti-poaching efforts, restoring key lion habitats, protecting migration corridors, enhancing human-carnivore coexistence through education and compensation programs, expanding conservation research, including genetic monitoring to guide potential lion translocations, and boosting law enforcement and intelligence operations to curb wildlife trafficking.
Some initiatives are already underway. UWA has started genetic studies to assess the lion population, while conservation groups are working with local communities to introduce sustainable livestock management practices that reduce lion predation.
Despite the challenges, conservationists remain hopeful. The launch of the 10-year strategy marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s conservation history, providing a framework for collaborative efforts to protect the country’s wildlife. “Conservation is not just about saving species,” Sadek said. “It is about securing Uganda’s future—its ecosystems, its economy, and its identity as the Pearl of Africa.”
