Uganda Conservation Foundation

The Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF) is a UK-registered charity and not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of Uganda's national parks, protected areas, and wildlife habitats. Registered under charity number 1087295, UCF works in close collaboration with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and a range of local and international partners to support and enhance conservation efforts throughout Uganda.

Mission and Activities

UCF's primary mission is to support the effective management and recovery of Uganda’s protected areas by addressing critical issues such as poaching, wildlife crime, habitat degradation, and human-wildlife conflict. The foundation accomplishes this through a combination of practical conservation projects, community engagement, and capacity building. Key activities include:

• Supporting ranger patrols and providing essential infrastructure like ranger posts, marine ranger stations, and veterinary laboratories to improve wildlife protection and management.
• Delivering veterinary care to injured wildlife and enabling access to remote conservation areas.
• Collaborating with local communities, schools, and cultural institutions to promote wildlife-compatible livelihoods and mitigate conflicts between humans and wildlife.
• Providing scholarships and education funding for wildlife rangers to enhance their skills in combating poaching and trafficking.

Notable Initiatives

One of UCF’s noteworthy initiatives is the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, established in 2020 in response to the severe funding shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This event features teams of wildlife rangers running half marathons carrying heavy packs to raise awareness and funds for ranger support across Africa. The Uganda hub of the event, held in Murchison Falls National Park, has grown in participation and inspired similar events in other countries.

Another significant project was Snare Mountain, a conservation initiative aimed at raising awareness about poaching by collecting and displaying the wire snares and traps used by poachers in Murchison Falls National Park. This visual campaign helped highlight the dangers poaching presents to wildlife and was widely publicized internationally.

Partnerships and Impact

UCF maintains a strong and vital partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which it identifies as its greatest asset. This collaboration enables the foundation to channel resources effectively to projects that have tangible impacts on wildlife conservation and protected area management. UCF also partners with global conservation bodies and funders to amplify its reach and effectiveness.

Funding and Support

Funded through donations, grants, and fundraising events, UCF focuses on sustainable conservation outcomes by supporting both ecological protection and socio-economic development in communities adjacent to protected areas. It continues to invite collaboration with organizations working towards tropical land protection and wildlife conservation.

Uganda Conservation Foundation plays a crucial role in preserving Uganda’s natural heritage by balancing wildlife protection with community development and education, helping to ensure the long-term survival of endangered species and ecosystems within the country.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda_Conservation_Foundation [2] https://ugandacf.org [3] https://ugandacf.org/the-charity/ [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/constituency-search/-/charity-details/3978208 [5] https://www.rainforesttrust.org/get-involved/rainforest-trust-partners/uganda-conservation-foundation/