In his remarks, the Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority, James Musinguzi, described the Mbale Wildlife Conservation Education Centre as a significant milestone in Uganda's conservation journey and a strategic shift towards decentralizing conservation education.
He noted that while the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe has served the country since 1952, the Mbale facility is only the second zoo to be established in Uganda's history and the first under UWA's regional model.
He emphasized that the idea behind the regional centres is to bring wildlife, plants, and conservation experiences closer to communities. According to Musinguzi, people are more likely to appreciate and protect what they can see, understand, and connect with.
By creating opportunities for both children and adults to interact with wildlife firsthand, the centres nurture a deeper understanding of the relationship between people, animals, and the environment.
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