Uganda Conservation Foundation - Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2022

Rangers are Africa’s unsung heroes. They don’t just fight poaching - they are conservationists, teachers, community support workers, leaders and much more.

The Wildlife Ranger Challenge, organised by Tusk and culminating on 17th September, celebrates their many roles, and is raising much-needed funds to support their work.

UCF is a UK registered charity with an operating arm in Uganda. During COVID, the Uganda Wildlife Authority lost 95% of its revenue base. Combined with flooding of the River Nile, general election and locusts, there’s been a crippling impact on operational capacity. Without food for rangers or funding for vehicle maintenance, medical support or communications, the parks struggled to operate.

Unfortunately prior to COVID, UWA hadn’t carried out ranger recruitment for three years, leaving UWA drastically understaffed throughout COVID and afterwards. Many existing rangers were ready for retirement, had children to look after or were pregnant, leaving numbers far lower than viable. The WRC provided the means to generate support and focus to keep UWA going.

Official recruitment started on 4th July, 2022. It will take 9 months before the 500 new recruits (far lower than needed) enter the estate. WRC 2022 funding will support UCF as we continue to plug gaps by providing scouts to remove snares, reducing the demand on rangers to do 'non dangerous' activities. UCF provides the salary, clothing, food and medical support for the scouts.

Give today, and the Scheinberg Relief Fund will match every dollar donated, amplifying your impact. Follow campaign updates on social media with #ForWildlifeRangers