Mbale’s new wildlife conservation centre has officially opened to the public, giving eastern Uganda a new tourism attraction and bringing wildlife conservation and education closer to communities in the Elgon region.
President Yoweri Museveni officially commissioned the Mbale Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, commonly known as Mbale Zoo, during celebrations to mark World Tourism Day 2026 at Mbale Secondary School Grounds on September 27.
Established by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the centre is expected to serve both as a visitor attraction and a hub for wildlife conservation education in eastern Uganda.
The opening gives Mbale and the wider Elgon region another attraction to complement its already rich tourism offering, which includes Mount Elgon, waterfalls, caves, cultural heritage, local cuisine and scenic landscapes.
Speaking at the event, Museveni said tourism should be viewed not simply as recreation, but as an important source of household income.
He encouraged communities around tourism destinations to take advantage of opportunities created by visitors, including accommodation, transport, restaurants, tour guiding, entertainment, handicrafts and other services.
The President said tourism was particularly important for people with limited land because, unlike commercial agriculture, many tourism-related businesses do not require large amounts of land.
He also called for greater investment in infrastructure connecting Uganda’s tourism attractions, including roads, electricity, water and communication networks.
Conservation at the centre
Museveni also unveiled a tourism conservation strategy for the Elgon sub-region, warning that the destruction of forests, wetlands and wildlife habitats threatens the natural resources on which tourism depends.
He called for stronger protection of the region’s ecosystems, saying conservation and tourism development must go hand in hand.
The new Mbale centre is expected to play a role in that effort by giving visitors an opportunity to learn about Uganda’s wildlife and the importance of protecting its natural habitats.
Uganda looks to digital tourism
This year’s World Tourism Day celebrations were held under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” placing technology at the centre of discussions about the future of Uganda’s tourism industry.
Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Minister Tom Butime said digital platforms and artificial intelligence could transform how Uganda markets its attractions and how visitors plan and experience their journeys.
Among the possibilities are digital booking platforms, smart park systems and AI-assisted safari planning.
Butime said the Elgon region has considerable tourism potential because of its spectacular scenery, Mount Elgon landscape, cultural heritage, cuisine and hospitality, but said investment, access to capital and infrastructure remain important challenges.
A new attraction for Mbale
For Mbale, the opening of the zoo adds another destination to a region seeking to establish itself as one of Uganda’s major tourism circuits.
Mbale City Mayor Joyce Matuka Kidulu said greater use of digital technology could help market the city and position it as a gateway to tourism destinations across eastern Uganda.
The opening of Mbale Zoo therefore represents more than the arrival of a new attraction.
It is part of a wider effort to turn the natural and cultural wealth of the Elgon region into jobs, businesses and income for surrounding communities — while ensuring that the wildlife and landscapes drawing visitors there are protected for the future.
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