Uganda Gazettes Six New National Parks
Uganda has officially approved six new national parks, expanding its total to 16, in a move aimed at enhancing conservation, safeguarding wildlife habitats, and diversifying the country’s tourism offering. The newly gazetted parks — Bukaleba, Echuya, Kyambura, Kigezi, Toro, and Katonga — were formerly forest and wildlife reserves. The decision was ratified by Cabinet last week and supports national efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict, curb encroachment, and position Uganda as a premier safari destination.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority confirmed that the upgrade will provide added legal protection and improved infrastructure, fostering eco-tourism and community engagement in adjacent areas. Highlights include Echuya’s montane forests near the Albertine Rift, Kyambura’s primate-rich gorge next to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bukaleba’s lakeside biodiversity on Lake Victoria. The expansion complements existing attractions such as gorilla trekking and aims to increase visitor variety, self-drive safari opportunities, and local livelihoods under Uganda’s Vision 2040 development strategy.
Source: eTurboNews
