The Vice President Maj Jessica Rose Alupo Epel has hailed Uganda Wildlife Educational Centerc decision to open up a satellite branch in Mbale City as a significant step in advancing wildlife conservation education and sustainable development and noted that the region’s strong cultural heritage and growing tourism potential make it an ideal location for the facility.
Vice President Alupo also noted that the Wildlife Centre will enhance conservation awareness, support research, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth in tourism, agriculture, and industry.
Maj Alupo made the remarks during the official opening of Mbale Satellite Wildlife Education Centre in Mbale City under the Regional Wildlife Conservation Education Centres initiative, aimed at decentralizing conservation education and bringing wildlife experiences closer to communities across Uganda.
The Center is located along the Mbale–Tororo Road, and it has already received several animals translocated from the Entebbe Zoo that include lions, zebras, waterbucks, ostriches and peacocks.
While speaking at the same event, Uganda Wildlife Authority Executive Director Dr James Musinguzi described the facility as a major milestone in Uganda’s conservation journey and a strategic step toward decentralizing the Entebbe Zoo.
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He noted that while the Entebbe Zoo has served the country since 1952, the Mbale facility is only the second zoo established in Uganda and the first under Uganda Wildlife Authority regional model.
Dr Musinguzi said the regional centres are intended to bring wildlife closer to communities, giving both children and adults an opportunity to interact with animals firsthand while fostering a deeper understanding of conservation and environmental stewardship.
Mbale Northern City Division Deputy Resident City Commissioner, Were Yahya, welcomed the initiative, saying it would spare schools and families in eastern Uganda the long journey to Entebbe for wildlife education.
Were Yahya added that the centre would create employment opportunities for local residents and provide internship placements for students pursuing wildlife, tourism, and environmental studies.
The Umukuuka wa Bugisu, Jude Mike Mudoma, thanked the government for establishing the facility in Mbale, describing it as a national project that will transform the city into a hub for conservation learning, democratizing knowledge, wildlife rescue, scientific research, eco-tourism and community recreation.
Umukuuka Mudoma also called for sustainable alternatives to the use of animal skins in cultural ceremonies, saying the production of realistic fabricated skins could help eliminate demand for poached Colobus monkeys while preserving cultural traditions.
