In recent developments, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has undertaken significant changes in the management of public institutions, notably the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC), commonly known as the Entebbe Zoo. Effective July 2023, URA assumed responsibility for collecting entrance fees at UWEC. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and ensure that revenues are directly remitted to the government’s consolidated fund. To facilitate this process, URA partnered with Guarantee Trust Bank, which collects the fees on its behalf. However, this partnership introduced an additional bank charge of UGX 2,300 per transaction, leading to increased costs for visitors and some public dissatisfaction, especially among families and school groups.
While there is no specific information regarding URA’s involvement in the management of botanical gardens in Uganda, these actions are part of a broader governmental strategy to improve revenue collection and combat corruption. In line with this, President Yoweri Museveni established the State House Revenue Intelligence and Strategic Operations Unit in July 2024. This unit is tasked with overseeing URA operations and addressing corruption within the tax administration system. David Kalemera was appointed as the head of this unit and serves as a Senior Presidential Advisor.
These measures reflect the government’s commitment to enhancing financial accountability and ensuring that public institutions contribute effectively to national revenue.
Response 2
As of now, there is no publicly available information indicating that the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has assumed direct management of Uganda’s zoos or botanical gardens. These institutions, such as the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) and the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, are typically overseen by entities like the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the National Forestry Authority (NFA), focusing on conservation, education, and tourism.
However, URA plays a significant role in supporting wildlife conservation efforts, particularly in combating illegal wildlife trade. In February 2024, URA collaborated with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other partners to host the Operation SAMA workshop in Entebbe. This initiative aimed to enhance multilateral cooperation among African states to combat illicit wildlife trafficking, which threatens endangered species and results in significant economic losses for Uganda. URA’s customs enforcement has implemented measures such as establishing a National Inter-Agency Taskforce and utilizing advanced technologies like scanners and secure communication systems to detect and prevent wildlife smuggling.
While URA is not directly managing zoos or botanical gardens, its efforts in curbing illegal wildlife trade contribute to the broader conservation landscape in Uganda. By preventing the trafficking of wildlife, URA supports the preservation of biodiversity, which is essential for the sustainability of institutions like UWEC and the Entebbe Botanical Gardens.
