Imagine a world where our planet loses its precious wildlife and plant species due to illegal trade. To prevent this tragedy, the international community has been working tirelessly. Recently, the World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a mission in Uganda to enhance the country's enforcement capabilities under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
This initiative forms part of the WCO's INAMA project framework. From February 20-24, 2017, WCO experts visited Kampala to conduct a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of the Uganda Revenue Authority's (URA) CITES implementation capacity. The evaluation utilized a specialized institutional assessment tool developed by the WCO-INAMA project, building upon URA's self-assessment to provide an objective analysis.
During their mission, the WCO delegation held extensive discussions with URA Commissioner Dicksons Collins Kateshumbwa and other senior officials. The team also conducted field visits to Kenfreight inland container depot and Entebbe International Airport to gain firsthand understanding of Uganda's challenges and opportunities in combating wildlife trafficking.
To enhance URA officers' professional skills, the delegation organized a workshop on the Logical Framework Approach (LFA). Approximately 20 URA officials participated, successfully applying LFA methodology to develop a detailed annual work plan for future INAMA project support in Uganda.
The Critical Role of CITES
CITES remains one of the most important international agreements for wildlife protection. The convention regulates international trade in wild species to prevent over-exploitation, categorizing protected species into three appendices:
Appendix I: Species threatened with extinction, subject to strict trade prohibitions except in exceptional circumstances.
Appendix II: Species not currently endangered but requiring trade regulation to prevent threats to survival.
Appendix III: Species protected within individual member states that require international cooperation for trade control.
Uganda's Conservation Challenges
As a CITES signatory, Uganda bears responsibility for protecting both domestic and global wildlife resources. However, the country faces significant challenges:
Border security limitations: Uganda's extensive borders with multiple neighboring countries create vulnerabilities for wildlife trafficking networks.
Enforcement capacity gaps: URA faces constraints in personnel, equipment, and technical capabilities for effective wildlife crime interdiction.
Public awareness deficits: Limited understanding among some communities about wildlife protection contributes to illegal trade activities.
Key Outcomes of the Assessment
The WCO diagnostic mission achieved several important results:
A comprehensive evaluation of URA's CITES enforcement capabilities across personnel, equipment, technology, and management systems.
Identification of specific weaknesses in border controls, intelligence gathering, risk assessment, and case investigation procedures.
Development of a detailed capacity-building roadmap outlining priority areas and concrete improvement measures.
Enhanced professional skills for URA officers through practical LFA methodology training.
The Path Forward
The assessment establishes a strong foundation for continued WCO-URA collaboration through the INAMA project. Future support will focus on technical assistance, training programs, and equipment provision to strengthen Uganda's CITES enforcement mechanisms. This effort aligns with broader international cooperation to combat wildlife trafficking and preserve global biodiversity.