The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has recovered UGX 14.8 billion out of the UGX 18.8 billion in outstanding concession fees that had been flagged in the Auditor General’s report, Executive Director James Musinguzi has revealed.
Speaking during a media engagement, Musinguzi said the authority moved swiftly to address the concerns raised about uncollected funds from investors operating in national parks.
“As I talk right now, we have recovered 14.8 billion shillings out of the 18.8 billion,” Musinguzi said. “We are left with only 2.7 billion shillings.”
The UGX 18.8 billion had been cited as outstanding by June 30, drawing public debate about UWA’s revenue management. Concession fees are paid by private investors who build and operate lodges in national parks, as well as institutions that lease land or facilities from the authority.
Musinguzi explained that the money was not lost but largely delayed, and that UWA had since strengthened its enforcement mechanisms.
“We have engaged debt collectors, recruited concession officers and held meetings with the concessionaires. Many of them have come up with payment plans, and they are paying,” he said.
He emphasized that the recovery demonstrates improved financial oversight within the authority.
“By June 30th, there was 18.8 billion outstanding. However, with the hard work of the team, we have put in place a new structure and recovered most of it. That is a factual story,” Musinguzi added.
According to UWA, the remaining UGX 2.7 billion is being cleared under agreed payment schedules with the respective concessionaires.
Tourism remains one of Uganda’s leading foreign exchange earners, contributing approximately $1.6 billion in the last financial year, much of it driven by nature-based tourism under UWA’s mandate.
Musinguzi said strengthening concession revenue collection is critical to supporting conservation efforts, park management, and community benefit programs around protected areas.
