World Bank has injected over 5 million US dollars in UWEC to refurbish it and make it more attractive and user friendly to tourists.
Mr. David Musingo the UWEC boss said that UWEC and government is very grateful for the donation made by World Bank through the Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP).
This is the second World Bank funding that UWEC has received making UWEC zoo a great tourist facility and one of the best in the world.
“Under this second funding, all the walking areas around UWEC zoo have been furnished with pavers making the area smart and no longer muddy. The facility has also received lights which has also improved on the safety of tourists and the staff” Mr. Musingo said.
Mr. Hannington Bulemu took me around the Zoo though it was my second visit, UWEC remains seriously captivating.
Mr. Musingo told the Managing editor of eastafricanwatch.net in an exclusive interview at UWEC mid this week.
He said as part of the funding UWA (UWEC zoo) has also been given a new Medical and Veterinary Equipment to Enhance Wildlife Health Care and Research (Animal hospital).
The fully furnished hospital one of its kind in the region has equipment, which includes an Anesthesia Machine, Surgical tables, Surgical Lights, X-Ray Machine, Animal Vital Monitor, CBC (Complete Blood Count) Machine, Chemistry Analyzers, 80°C and -20°C Freezers, and Nitrogen Tanks, has been installed at the newly constructed and renovated National Wildlife Hospital and Quarantine, at UWEC-CA. thanks to the Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project (CEDP).
“These advanced medical tools aim to enhance the quality of care for animals managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and to facilitate important scientific research.
Investment in veterinary technologies goes beyond just treating sick animals; it plays a vital role in safeguarding Uganda’s biodiversity” Mr.Musingo added.
Besides the animal hospital the World Bank funding has helped to fence off some areas such as Kidepo, Elephant and the Birds and Giraffe exhibition centres.
The same World Bank funding has also improved the water irrigation and water areas in some of the animal exhibition centres making better the life of animals at UWEC zoo. It has also supported the installation of survey and control cameras.
Future plans;
“We plan to bring in the African wild hunting dogs from south Africa soon. Their home is ready and we are concluding on importing them” Mr. Musingo
They also plan to add on more animal exhibition centres to give more to tourists.
“We are searching for funding to connect with other areas in the region through water. We have a floating restaurant on the Lake, we need a docking area where boats can operate from and go as far as Kalangara Island, Munyonyo etc” he added.
Mr. Musingo said they want to improve facilities at Botanical gardens which is now under their management.
About the UWEC;
Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center (UWEC), popularly known as Entebbe Zoo, is a conservation education center for animals found in Uganda.
UWEC popularly known as “Entebbe Zoo” was opened in 1952, as a reception centre for wild animals that were found as casualties (sick, injured, orphaned, confiscated from illegal trade). In the early 1960s, it changed its role to a zoo where a number of non-indigenous species, including bears and tigers, were kept as an attraction.
With the restructuring of wildlife management in the country in 1994, the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Trust (UWECT) was founded, in order to take over the zoo and to develop it with emphasis for Conservation Education.
UWEC mission statement is “to promote and create an understanding of conserving the biodiversity in Uganda among the public, with specific emphasis on the young generation.
Some specials things at UWEC zoo;
-Jackal (Omushenga in Rukiga) This animal resembles dogs but they are small in size and they look innocent.
-The elders’ tree which is over 100 years.
-Children Wildlife Discovery centre.
-A parrot’s conservation classroom.
-Shoebill, Egyptian ghee, tigers.
– A floating restaurant on the Lake,
-Water beats and waves from the banks of Lake Victoria just to mention but a few. Come visit UWEC ZOO it is amazing!
