Ex-zoo chief announced UWA executive director

The Government has announced former zoo chief Dr James Musinguzi new Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

Musinguzi will officially acquire the new reins on April 1, 2025, taking over from Sam Mwandha, who has been at the helm of the wildlife authority since 2018.

A UWA statement issued on February 6, 2025, describes Musinguzi as a dedicated conservationist with extensive experience in wildlife management and conservation education. 

The announcement comes just months after Musinguzi was appointed the director of community conservation and ex-situ wildlife services, a position he held since October 2024.

 Before that, Musinguzi had been the executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) aka Entebbe Zoo, since 2006.

Musinguzi has a bachelor of science with education (biology), post graduate diploma in project planning and management, master of science in biology, masters degree in business administration plus a PhD in wildlife management.

He also has over 20 continuous development certificates in corporate governance, public administration and management, strategic procurement and logistics management, among others.

His PhD thesis focussed on the efficacy of institutional systems in managing wildlife trade in Uganda whereas his dissertation while pursuing the MBA focussed on strategic planning and organisational growth. During his Master of science degree, Musinguzi published a dissertation detailing the impact of fire on the forest dynamics in Bwindi impenetrable national park.

While still at the helm of Entebbe Zoo, Musinguzi oversaw UWEC being ranked the best zoo in east, west and central Africa by the Pan African Association of Zoos and Aqualia. 

The centre also saw a tremendous increase in the number of tourists from 337,357 visitors in 2017 to 660,452 in 2024, realising the growth of non-tax revenue from shillings 3.2 billion in the financial year 2017/2018 to 5.2 billion in the financial year 2023/2024.

He has won several accolades including a conservation education award given to him during World Wildlife Day in Kyenjojo, 2023 plus a Golden Jubilee Award given to him by President Yoweri Museveni during the World Labour Day in Fort Portal, 2023.

On the other hand, as Sam Mwandha retires after seven years, he leaves behind a legacy of wildlife protection, strengthened community conservation efforts, expanded anti-poaching initiatives and improved tourism potential of Uganda's protected areas. 

"His tenure has left a lasting impact on Uganda's conservation landscapes and UWA extends its deepest gratitude for his dedicated service," a statement reads.

UWA, which is mandated to manage and protect Uganda's wildlife in and outside the protected areas, oversees 10 national parks, 12 wildlife reserves, five community wildlife management areas and 13 wildlife sanctuaries.