Welcome to UWRTI

Dear valued stakeholders, it is my great pleasure and honour to welcome you to Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute (UWRTI), Katwe, the only middle level institution in providing high standards and relevant professional and technical training in Wildlife and Tourism Management in Uganda.

The institute traces its origin from 1991 under UNDP/FAO project. In 1996, the Government of Uganda (GoU) formally established UWRTI as an autonomous Institute by an Act of Parliament under the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) to service Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) as the main target of its products.

The Institution has been given mandate of conducting research and consultancy services relevant in addressing the teething challenges facing wildlife and tourism sectors and tapping the emerging threats into opportunities.

Accordingly, the government of Uganda, guided by the Constitutional Objectives, has established the Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute (UWRTI) and enacted the UWRTI Act 2016. The Law mandates the Institute to, among other things; provide research and training services for the conservation and management of Uganda’s wildlife resources, in fulfillment of the needs for continued capacity building in natural resources management..

Considering the legal mandate and government’s intentions in creating the Institute for Wildlife Research and Training, it is not debatable; the Institute requires major investment to build its capacity to meet its mandate. A pre-feasibility study has been conducted and feasibility study is underway to make way for major investment to install all the needed facilities for center of excellence.

Government has appointed a vibrant Board of Trustees committed to the cause of the Institute and to meeting government intentions.

Since its establishment in 1991, the Institute has trained over 1,000 wildlife and tourism managers. The Institute will be recognized as a Centre of Excellence in Uganda as soon as construction of the Institute is complete.

We recognize the dynamic nature of wildlife and tourism sectors. Therefore, our training has always been vibrant to cope with emerging dynamics and growing changes in the wildlife tourism sector while maintaining our good standards. There are challenges ahead in a number of domains of our work but also opportunities to excel. However, our vision, mission, core values and strategic plan are guiding us towards realization.

The Institute has friendly, experienced professional and committed staff, facilities and equipment for meeting the vision of the Institute.

We have conducive and convenient learning environment attributed to the strategic location in the enclave of Queen Elizabeth National Park and close proximity to the Rwenzori Mountain National Park which is a major tourist circuit, thus providing expediency for field practical and excursions.

We are committed to developing an environment which promotes equality of opportunity, values diversity and where students, staff and other stakeholders can work and study free from discrimination and harassment regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, gender and sexual orientation.

I welcome the support of all our stakeholders both nationally, regionally and internationally to help us achieve our legal mandate of training managers who will take care of wildlife resources on this planet. You can support us through pursuing your courses at UWRTI and/or collaborating with UWRTI to facilitate the training process. Please be a part of UWRTI and be part of sustainable wildlife conservation.

UWRTI will remain committed to working harmoniously with its stakeholders both public private to pursue all processes and conform to all relevant regulations and procedures to deepening wildlife research and have reliable data and information to inform government on decisions related to wildlife management in the country.

Thank you

Robert Baluku

PRINCIPAL