With effective April 1, 2025, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has announced the appointment of Dr. James Musinguzi as its new Executive Director. On March 31, 2025, Sam Mwandha has led the organization since 2018 and is set to retire as is succeeded by Dr.James Musinguzi.
The new UWA ED Dr. Musinguzi is a dedicated conservationist with extensive experience in wildlife management, conservation education, and community conservation.
Since 2006, he previously served as the Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC), commonly known as Entebbe Zoo.
He championed conservation awareness, wildlife rescue, and public engagement during his tenure at UWEC.
In October 2024 Dr, Musinguzi was appointed Director of Community Conservation and Ex Situ Wildlife Services at UWA following the merger of UWEC and UWA.
Dr. Musinguzi holds a Bachelor of Science in Education (Biology), a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management, a Master of Science in Biology, a Master’s degree in Business Administration, and a PhD in Wildlife Management.
In managing wildlife trade in Uganda and a dissertation on the impact of fire on forest dynamics in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, his academic work includes a PhD thesis on the efficacy of institutional systems.
The center was ranked the best zoo in East, West, and Central Africa by the Pan African Association of Zoos and Aquaria under his leadership at UWEC. Visitor numbers increased from 337,357 in 2017 to 660,452 in 2024, and non-tax revenue grew from Shs3.2 billion in the 2017/2018 financial year to Shs5.2 billion in 2023/2024.
After seven years of serving in UWA, Sam Mwandha retires acknowledges his outstanding leadership, during which he enhanced wildlife protection, strengthened community conservation efforts, expanded anti-poaching initiatives, and improved the tourism potential of Uganda’s protected areas. His tenure has left a lasting impact on Uganda’s conservation landscape.
UWA in a statement said that it congratulates Dr. Musinguzi on his appointment and looks forward to his leadership in advancing the mission to conserve and sustainably manage Uganda’s wildlife resources for present and future generations.
