Sign at Ngamba Island pointing towards Uganda Wildlife Education Centre
UWEC was opened in 1952 by the Colonial Government then, as an animal Orphanage that offered sanctuary to young animals found abandoned in protected areas due to the death or poaching of parent animals.
In the early 1960s, it became a traditional ZOO and became commonly known as Entebbe ZOO in which even non-indigenous species like bears and tigers were kept as an attraction.
Because of the political turmoil and inadequate government funding, the ZOO became continually run down until May 1994 when a proposal was made by the New York Zoological Society now the World Conservation Society, to turn it into a conservation education Center for conservation awareness purposes; hence the name, ‘Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Trust’.
Since its inception 90% of the entire centre’s operation costs have been donor funded. Currently this is being done by World Bank through the Protected Areas Management and Sustainable Use (PAMSU) project.
Baby vervet cuddling with mother at UWEC
Mission
To promote and create an understanding of conserving the biodiversity in Uganda among the public, with specific emphasis on the young generation using the facilities at Entebbe.
Vision
A Ugandan Public that is well informed about the Biodiversity in Uganda and hence eager to protect it.
Mandated Roles
- Conservation education of the Uganda public
- Rescue and rehabilitation of animals
- Captive breeding unit for threatened species
- A zoo where people come to see and learn about animals, as well as a Recreation Park for the Ugandan public
Schoolchildren waving to the chimpanzees at UWEC
Where do the animals come from?
All the animals have been rescued from poachers, illegal trade or accidents. The animals are brought to the centre by government agencies, animal welfare groups and concerned citizens like you. The great thing about UWEC is that it is not a traditional zoo, so we do not capture or purchase animals to show here.
Information courtesy of UWEC’s website – www.uweczoo.org
