KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ugandan government has approved a significant expansion of its protected lands, a move aimed at bolstering the country’s biodiversity and its ambitious goals for tourism-led economic growth.
The Cabinet recently passed a proposal from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to elevate several wildlife reserves to national park status. The decision, announced by Tourism Minister Tom Butime, now awaits parliamentary approval to formalize the upgrades.
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Under the new policy, the Katonga, Toro-Semliki, Echuya and Kigezi wildlife reserves are slated to become national parks. Additionally, the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, which sits within the greater Queen Elizabeth National Park ecosystem, has been cleared for an upgrade. In a further expansion of protected status, the Bukaleba Forest Reserve in the Mayuge District will be converted into a wildlife reserve.
Mr. Butime described the approvals as “real achievements” for a nation that increasingly views its natural heritage as a primary economic engine. By upgrading these areas, the government aims to enhance ecosystem management and increase Uganda’s competitiveness in the global eco-tourism market.
The move comes as Uganda seeks to transform its tourism sector into a powerhouse capable of generating $50 billion in long-term revenue. Under the government’s 10-fold growth strategy, tourism is classified as a strategic “ATM sector” essential for hitting the targets of the Uganda Vision 2040 development agenda.
“This is not business as usual,” Mr. Butime said during a meeting with sector leadership. “It demands that tourism must transform, compete and succeed in the increasingly global environment.”
Despite the broad approvals, the Cabinet stopped short of elevating two high-profile areas: the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve. Both sites have been the focus of intense advocacy by conservationists who worry about land-use pressure and environmental degradation.
Mr. Butime struck a defiant tone regarding those omissions, promising that the ministry would continue to push for their protection. “The struggle will continue until Pian Upe becomes a national park and until Bugoma is declared a national park,” he said. “We shall continue fighting and we will definitely succeed.”
The elevation of these lands is expected to attract higher-value visitors and create more robust mechanisms for conservation financing. The announcement also coincides with a leadership transition in the sector, as Mr. Butime noted that a new chief executive for the Uganda Tourism Board would be formally appointed soon to help sustain the current momentum.
For a nation already famous for its mountain gorillas and diverse birdlife, the addition of these parks represents a calculated bet that deeper conservation can lead to broader prosperity.
