ENTEBBE– The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has commended the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) for its tremendous support towards encountering Wildlife Crimes in the country.
At the official transition of the Canine Program from African Wildlife Foundation into UWA, at ceremony held at Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe, Mr. Charles Tumwesigye , the Director Field operations in UWA , while representing the Executive Director, revealed that through their partnership with African Wildlife Foundation a lot has been achieved.
“We can’t say that we are there, but through this partnership with AWF, we have been able to curb down on wildlife crimes which were on a high rise before. We have had a lot of arrests at the Airport and other parts of the country as a result of the Canine Unit, Uganda which had been blacklisted as a result of Trafficking of wildlife species, was removed from the list, after we shown that as a country, we have mechanisms to combat wildlife crimes.” Remarked Tumwesigye.
He also noted that Uganda is no longer a source of illegal ivory as it used to be due to strict measures that have been put in place.
“We didn’t only stop the exportation of illegal ivory alone, we have track dogs , which follow up the poachers wherever they are and have them arrested. We have had a life sentence given out as a result of strengthening the law against wildlife crimes.”
Kaddu Sebunya, CEO of AWF, commended UWA and other partners for the support they have rendered to them throughout the nine year period of this partnership.
“The results speak for themselves: trained handlers, proven facilities, and dogs that have intercepted wildlife products before they could leave the country. Today’s handover confirms that Uganda has both the capacity and commitment to carry this work forward. Beyond law enforcement, the program has created employment opportunities, with canine handlers becoming permanent staff of UWA.” Said Ssebunya
He also pointed out , that this program has fostered stronger collaboration between agencies, including the Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Police, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Rose Ssebatindira, AWF’s Uganda Country Director, emphasized the program’s national significance: “These canine units have become part of Uganda’s identity in the fight against wildlife crime. They have shown that with the right tools and training, Ugandan rangers and law enforcement agencies can match and outpace traffickers.”
She further added that, the transition of the canine program comes at a time when UWA is embedding it fully into its organizational structure. Dedicated positions for canine masters and unit leaders have been created, while budgetary resources are now allocated for replacement dogs, training, and operations.
Imetur Imelda, the in charge of Canine Unit at UWEC, revealed that they started 12 dog handlers and with support from AWF, the number has grown to 22 handlers and they expect it to increase.
“We were among the gang of eight blacklisted countries for wildlife trafficking and we were removed. We have made over 360 arrests on top of Prosecuting a number of cases in court.”
She added that most of the offenders after serving their sentences, they have supported UWA with other law enforcement officers in arresting more criminals engaged in illegal wild life trade.
By handing over full ownership to UWA, AWF concludes nearly a decade of direct implementation while ensuring that Uganda retains the tools, skills, and institutional frameworks necessary to sustain canine-led enforcement. The story of Uganda’s canine units is one of partnership, persistence, and progress—and now, of national ownership in the fight against wildlife trafficking in Africa.
At this hand over ceremony, three more dogs were handed over to UWA, guests were taken through various types of dogs used in UWA operations, as well as getting a live experience on dogs’ ability to uncover concealed contraband.
