KAMPALA, Uganda — The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has received a vehicle and 150 mobile phones from the European Union (EU) under the NaturAfrica Programme to strengthen conservation efforts and improve communication among frontline staff in the Kidepo–Turkana transboundary landscape.
The equipment was officially handed over on Monday as part of the EU-funded initiative aimed at enhancing biodiversity conservation and supporting cross-border collaboration between Uganda and Kenya in one of East Africa’s most ecologically significant ecosystems.
In a statement posted on its official X account, UWA said the support would improve field operations and communication for rangers working in the transboundary conservation area.
“Yesterday, UWA received a vehicle and 150 mobile phones under the EU-funded NaturAfrica Programme to boost conservation in the Kidepo–Turkana transboundary landscape. The support will strengthen field operations, communication and biodiversity protection across the Uganda–Kenya border,” the authority said.
The Kidepo–Turkana landscape spans northeastern Uganda and northwestern Kenya, linking Kidepo Valley National Park with protected areas in Kenya, including South Turkana National Reserve. The ecosystem is home to elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, ostriches and numerous other wildlife species that regularly move across the international border.
According to the European Union, the NaturAfrica Programme seeks to protect biodiversity while promoting sustainable livelihoods for communities living around protected areas. The initiative supports improved management of transboundary ecosystems, strengthens law enforcement against wildlife crime and encourages community participation in conservation.
The newly donated vehicle is expected to enhance ranger mobility, while the 150 mobile phones will improve communication among field personnel, enabling quicker coordination during patrols, wildlife monitoring and emergency response operations.
UWA has in recent years intensified efforts to combat poaching, illegal wildlife trade and human-wildlife conflict through improved surveillance, community engagement and partnerships with development agencies and neighbouring countries.
The Kidepo–Turkana landscape has been identified as a priority conservation area because of its rich biodiversity and the need for coordinated management between Uganda and Kenya to safeguard migratory wildlife populations and shared natural resources.