Hunting for Conservation? The Re-introduction of Sport Hunting in Uganda Examined

Abstract

Uganda reintroduced sport hunting in 2001. The policy was piloted around Lake Mburo National Park and later replicated around other protected areas. This chapter analyses the development, implementation and impact of sport hunting policy in Uganda. We do so through literature review, document analysis, and by analyzing the different actors’ perspectives on the policy. Our analysis indicates that the sport hunting policy has undergone a dynamic development over time and is highly contested. The policy is implemented with rather varying rules across Uganda, on both public and privately-owned land. The government is of the opinion that the policy contributes to sustainable development, while other actors, such as NGOs, question the policy’s impacts and ethics. The extent to which the policy is meant to contribute to conservation goals, and its impacts on conservation on-the-ground, remain unclear.