Umoja Wildlife Conservancies Association
Umoja Wildlife Conservancies Association, Uganda
Igniting and supporting community-led conservation in Uganda
ABOUT: Umoja is a Ugandan national association supporting local communities and private landowners in managing land, protecting wildlife, and sustaining livelihoods. With 18 member conservancies, including 12 managed directly by communities and three each by landowner groups and private entities, Umoja aims to promote community-led conservation initiatives outside of Uganda's protected areas.
In the past, Uganda's wildlife management approach lacked sufficient community participation. However, since 2013, individuals, communities, and landowners have been inspired by successful community conservation efforts in other countries such as Namibia and, closer to home, Kenya. Although early attempts to pilot conservancies faced challenges due to limited capacity and technical guidance, it highlighted the need for a transparent and coordinated approach.
In March 2021, representatives from various conservancies and respected community conservationists convened to address these challenges. The result was the establishment of Umoja—a trusted and reliable local organization coordinating efforts, amplifying voices, and advocating for conservancies to the government and other stakeholders.
Where Umoja works:
Within just two years, Umoja has included a variety of conservancies in Acholi, Karamoja, Bunyoro and Ankole under its umbrella. In East Acholi, community conservancies where Umoja works include Lapyem, Layugi, Paimol, Omia Pachwa, Orom and Lipan. Karamoja includes Wenyweny, Morunyang, Meris, Lokwasinyon and Longoriki, and Korithae in Napak district. In Nakapiripirit district is Amuda Conservancy.
Group conservancies under Umoja are mainly in West Acholi, Bunyoro and Ankole, such as Acwiya ranch, Murchison Aswa Falls, Kayirabwa Chimps, and Rurambira. Private conservancies include Rwekyapa Agro Tourism and River Lokikya.
Impact
Umoja is currently focusing on these three areas of work:
Growing and strengthening wildlife conservancies in Uganda
Driving efforts to get conservancies recognized as a viable land use management system.
Facilitating and increasing institutional partnerships and collaborations between Umoja, the conservancies and other relevant stakeholders to further drive benefits for people and nature in Uganda.
Providing a platform for the conservancies to share their knowledge, expertise and current practices in the management of conservancies. This will help to establish best practices, and grow more effective conservancies.
Achievements
The number of Conservancies has grown from 3 in 2013 to 18 in 2023. This significant growth in the establishment of conservancies can be attributed to the efforts made to inform and educate people about the potential benefits of conserving wildlife on their land.
There is growing support and partnerships with critical stakeholders like Uganda Wildlife Authority, District Local Governments.
There is an increasing number of organisations who are expressing interest in partnership with Umoja to support and strengthen conservancy development in Uganda.