Environmental experts have raised concern over the increasing rate of environmental degradation in Uganda, following the release of the State of the Environment Report 2024. The report highlights key challenges including illegal wildlife trade, climate change, loss of forest cover, rising waste generation, and declining air quality.

The concerns were raised during the National Biodiversity and Conservation Research Symposium 2026, currently underway at the Nile Resort Hotel in Kampala.

According to the report presented by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Uganda continues to face significant environmental pressures that are threatening biodiversity, ecosystems, and sustainable development.

Among the major concerns are illegal wildlife trafficking, declining forest cover, increasing waste generation, and air quality levels that remain below the standards recommended by the World Health Organization.

Despite these challenges, NEMA says efforts are being intensified to address environmental degradation through stronger enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and enhanced collaboration with key stakeholders.

The issues formed part of discussions at the National Biodiversity and Conservation Research Symposium 2026, held under the theme “Science, Innovation, and Collaborative Responses.”

Welcoming participants, the Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Dr. James Musinguzi, emphasized the importance of institutionalizing the symposium as an annual platform for knowledge sharing, innovation, and collaboration in biodiversity conservation. He noted that effective conservation requires data-driven and evidence-based decision-making, adding that biodiversity remains central to ecosystem health, livelihoods, sustainable development, and national prosperity.

Dr. Musinguzi also revealed plans to establish a wildlife research journal aimed at promoting research, knowledge dissemination, and informed conservation action.

Meanwhile, UWA cautioned researchers and development partners on the importance of adhering to proper research procedures, safety, and security requirements while conducting conservation work.

The Assistant Commissioner for Research and Ecological Monitoring at UWA, Dr. Caroline Asiimwe, emphasized the need to strengthen local research capacity and encouraged scientists to analyze and process samples within Uganda instead of exporting them abroad.

UWA says the concerns raised during the symposium are being addressed in collaboration with government agencies, researchers, conservation organizations, and development partners, with ongoing efforts to mobilize resources to safeguard Uganda’s biodiversity.

Stakeholders at the symposium expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between scientists, policymakers, conservation agencies, and local communities will enhance Uganda’s response to emerging environmental and biodiversity challenges.