The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has acquired a fleet of road construction and maintenance equipment under the World Bank-funded Investment for Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development (IFPA-CD) Project, a move expected to strengthen infrastructure development and improve access across the country’s protected areas.
The equipment was officially handed over during a ceremony held at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe on June 15, where contracted suppliers formally transferred the machinery to UWA.
The procurement forms part of broader efforts to enhance conservation management, improve road networks, and support tourism operations within national parks and wildlife reserves.
Under the project, UWA contracted M/s Mantrac Uganda Limited and M/s Muhick International Limited to supply a range of heavy-duty road construction and maintenance equipment, including four excavators, three motor graders, four tractors with accessories, and four bulldozers.
According to UWA, eleven machines have already been delivered. These include three motor graders, four excavators, and four tractors complete with accessories. The remaining equipment is expected to be delivered before the end of June 2026.
The machinery will be deployed to key conservation areas, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve, where it will support road maintenance, infrastructure development, habitat management, and conservation operations.
Representatives of the supplying firms thanked UWA for the partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to fulfilling the contract requirements by delivering the remaining machinery within the agreed timeline.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Dr. James Musinguzi commended the suppliers for meeting their contractual obligations and delivering the equipment on schedule.
He noted that the machinery will significantly strengthen UWA’s capacity to maintain and open access roads within protected areas, improve operational efficiency, and facilitate tourism activities.
“The equipment will support critical road maintenance works, improve access for conservation management, and enhance tourism operations across our protected areas,” Dr. Musinguzi said.
He added that the machinery will also be used in habitat restoration and ecosystem management activities, including the removal of invasive plant species that threaten biodiversity in some conservation areas.
Improved road infrastructure within protected areas is expected to enhance visitor experiences, facilitate ranger patrols, strengthen wildlife monitoring, and support emergency response operations.
The acquisition comes as UWA continues to invest in infrastructure and operational capacity to improve conservation outcomes while supporting the growth of Uganda’s tourism sector, one of the country’s leading foreign exchange earners.
Officials say the new equipment will contribute to more efficient management of protected areas and strengthen the authority’s ability to deliver its conservation mandate.