Wildlife conservation concerns emerge as Uganda loses 269 elephants, 23 lions in two years

ENTEBBE, May 21, 2026 — Uganda has lost significant numbers of elephants and lions over the past two years, with the deaths largely attributed to escalating human-wildlife conflict.

According to the landmark State of Wildlife Resources Report released recently by the Uganda Wildlife Authority [UWA], the country lost at least 23 lions between 2023 and 2025. The report further indicates that 269 elephants died during the same period.

The report attributes the losses largely to poor ecological corridor management and intensifying human-wildlife conflict, which continues to place immense pressure on wildlife populations.

It notes that Uganda’s ecological balance has increasingly been disrupted by expanding human settlements, agricultural encroachment, infrastructure development and extractive activities.

Since the discovery of oil resources in the Bunyoro sub-region and parts of Acholi, the country has prioritised mineral extraction despite strong opposition from environmentalists and conservation groups concerned about ecological sustainability.

The report states that extractive activities have disrupted animal habitats, while migratory routes have been blocked due to habitat fragmentation, reducing ecological space necessary for regeneration and wildlife movement.

It further reveals that several animals contracted human-related diseases and infections, including influenza, which reportedly claimed some species unable to withstand the infections without medical intervention.

The report underscores the urgent need to intensify habitat protection, restore prey populations and strengthen ecological corridor management to safeguard wildlife resources increasingly threatened by human pressure.

It also highlights growing threats to critical medicinal flora and indigenous plant species, including cycads and wild relatives of important food crops.

Wild relatives of coffee, finger millet, pearl millet, sorghum and eggplants are among the endangered plant species facing increasing pressure from encroachment.

Scientists and researchers often rely on these wild crop relatives to develop resilient and disease-resistant varieties of major food and cash crops capable of withstanding climate-related disruptions.

The report also cites several food, medicinal, fuel and construction plant species whose habitats are under mounting pressure from land degradation, invasive species, agricultural expansion and climate change.

Some of these plant resources, many of which are endemic to Uganda, are regarded as critical national genetic assets essential for food security, ecological restoration and biodiversity resilience.

Uganda remains one of Africa’s most biologically diverse countries, with more than 18,000 recorded species of flora and fauna, including over 4,800 native plant species and more than 1,000 bird species.

Despite the losses, the report indicates population increases among several wildlife species, including buffaloes, hippopotamuses, Uganda kobs and zebras. Positive growth trends were also recorded in topis, common elands, waterbucks and Nubian giraffes.

According to UWA, Uganda is home to nearly 10,000 hippos, 41,548 buffaloes, 20,942 zebras and 3,619 Nubian giraffes.

The report also notes Uganda’s growing importance in chimpanzee conservation and primate tourism. The country is home to at least 6,075 chimpanzees across major forest ecosystems, up from 5,072 recorded two years ago.

The mountain gorilla population currently stands at 459, according to the latest census conducted late last year, although some primates continue to migrate into Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

UWA also reported progress in efforts to recover the southern white rhinoceros population, which has increased from 43 to 61 rhinos under sustained breeding and protection programmes.

UWA Executive Director Dr James Musinguzi said the report demonstrates Uganda’s steady transition towards science-led and technology-assisted biodiversity management.

“The report demonstrates Uganda’s steady transition toward science-led and technology-assisted biodiversity management through aerial wildlife surveys, SMART ranger patrol systems, EarthRanger collar monitoring, camera trapping, digital ecological databases and expanded ecosystem monitoring,” he said.

Dr Musinguzi said the achievements reflect measurable gains in species restoration, stronger monitoring systems, broader ecosystem understanding and clearer identification of emerging threats that require urgent attention.

He pledged that UWA would continue strengthening habitat restoration, invasive species management, wildlife disease surveillance and ecological research, while deepening strategic partnerships to secure Uganda’s wildlife heritage for future generations.

https://thecooperator.news/elephants-destroy-crops-as-they-wreak-havoc-in-kiryandongo-district/

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