The Uganda Wildlife Authority, under its mandate to protect and conserve wildlife and the environment, has also been advocating for community sensitization and education. Through its sensitization programs, the authority, through the Ministry of Tourism, established the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center (UWEC), also known as Entebbe Zoo.

This education and wildlife center educates the community about the benefits of conserving wildlife and the environment. However, this facility has been based in Entebbe for years, and many people, especially those from the countryside, lack access to it. But that has now changed, especially for the people in the eastern region of the country.

The establishment of a second zoo in Mbale district by the Uganda Wildlife Authority is a formal declaration of its commitment to its mandate of protection and conservation by expanding the sensitization and education of the local communities. Mbale District is situated in the eastern region of Uganda, known for hosting Mountain Elgon and Sipi Falls.

This region has lacked the sight and experience of wildlife species such as lions, leopards, zebras, hyenas, and antelopes. However, following the establishment of a second zoo in Mbale District, UWA has extended these species closer to the local communities. Conservation always begins with sensitizing local communities to the importance of wildlife to their livelihoods.

Why did UWA establish a second zoo in Mbale District?

From the official opening of the Mbale Wildlife Conservation Education Center, or Mbale Zoo, some questions were raised about the significance of establishing this zoo in this part of the country. Below are some of the reasons that seem to answer this particular question of why UWA established a second zoo in Mbale District.

To increase wildlife awareness

The establishment of a second zoo in Mbale District by UWA was one way of increasing wildlife awareness. In this part of the country, in Mbale District, many of the locals have had little interaction with wildlife species. Therefore, this new facility of a zoo will open doors for these locals to increase their wildlife awareness, and this is the first step to conservation.

Wildlife sensitization of the community

Establishing a zoo in a place that has had little access to wildlife is a direct step toward educating and sensitizing the local community. Wildlife sensitization is more about educating the locals about the significance and benefits of the wildlife to Uganda as a country and also the local communities, where these species dwell. Therefore, by sensitization, the local communities become passionate about the wildlife and environment, hence breeding the spirit of conservation.

Boosting domestic tourism

The public has, for a while, perceived tourism to be a luxury, high-end business for the rich and basically left for the international community. Following the establishment of a second zoo in Mbale District, there has been a boost in domestic tourism. This is because the wildlife is expected to be closer to the local community. The locals have a chance to discover and encounter some of the wildlife species that they had heard about for a while but had never seen.

Strengthen conservation efforts

Conservation and sensitization of the local communities were taught theoretically, since there was not much to conserve or learn from. The Mbale Wildlife Conservation Education Center, or Mbale Zoo, has changed this idea into practice by strengthening the conservation efforts of wildlife, since there is much to protect in the eyes of the locals.

What are the other things to do in Mbale District?

Mbale District is a fortress of adventure encompassing all the nature experiences that entice the adventurists and nature lovers. Among the other things to do in Mbale, other than exploring the zoo, include the following.

Abseiling in Sipi Falls

Mbale District is not short of adventure experiences, and this is the case with abseiling done in Sipi Falls. Sipi Falls is situated in Mbale District and is one of the most phenomenal places the awake every visitor’s adventurous spirit. These falls offer several adventurous activities, but the most daring and very rewarding is abseiling. This is a tourist activity that allows visitors to explore the falls more dramatically.

Visitors who take on this experience hang on ropes fastened by anchors of solid metal on the rock at the top of the Sipi Falls cliff. Visitors then walk backwards at the edge of the cliff and drop gently down beside the flashing Sipi Falls while controlling the speed of the drop. Visitors can pause midway in the air for photo moments.

Hike Mount Elgon

At the extreme eastern side of Mbale district lies the magical Mountain Elgon, a destination of hiking adventures in this district. This extinct volcanic mountain is a legend of the skies, but even legends bow down to nature. Mountain Elgon is among the giants of height in Uganda, once believed to be the tallest, but erosion and other forces have worked on it since then. This mountain forms an international border with Kenya. Therefore, hiking mountain Elgon gives visitors a chance to experience nature’s greatness in the two countries.

Culture tours

Mbale District is a land of the Bamasaba and Bagisu people that harbor the areas close to the mountain. During a visit to Mbale, visitors can find time to have a cultural tour after a wildlife excursion at the zoo to experience culture at its best. Take part in the unique traditions of the imbalu ceremony when boys are introduced to maturity through circumcision.