New Uganda Wildlife Offences and Penalties 2027/2028

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward misconduct within protected areas to safeguard the country’s rich biodiversity and preserve its highly valued tourism sector.

The finalized schedules clarify the immediate fines or penalties for tourists and tour operators regarding in-park traffic and behavior violations, while drawing direct boundaries alongside the strict statutory penalties mandated by the Uganda Wildlife Act.

Uganda National Park Offences and Penalties

In-Park Misconduct and General Penalties

To maintain order and prevent the disruption of wildlife habitats, UWA enforces standard spot penalties for any visitors or operators violating park rules:

Off-track driving: A fine of USD 150 per person inside the vehicle will be levied against the driver for veering off authorized tracks, as vehicles heavily damage the fragile flora, causing soil compaction and disrupting the ecosystems. Off-track driving while in the park premises increases the risk of animal killings, stress, and accidents that can claim the lives of rangers. Aside from the financial penalty, UWA rangers have the authority to immediately eject offending drivers and visitors from the park.
Over-Speeding: Any driver exceeding designated park speed limits is subject to a fine of UGX 100,000 per incident. To prevent frequent wildlife deaths caused by speeding, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) strictly penalizes reckless drivers and monitors vehicle speeds. Furthermore, the revised and recommended maximum speed allowed within all Ugandan national parks is 40 km/h (25 mph).
Animal accidents (Road kill): Hitting or killing an animal within protected boundaries incurs an immediate USD $ 500 fee. However, under the Wildlife Protection Act, if a driver is found guilty of gross negligence leading to the death or injury of protected wildlife, they can face severe criminal penalties, including court fines of up to Shs 50 million or up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Fine for late reschedule (Gorilla & Chimps): According to the official Uganda Wildlife Authority, the penalty for a late reschedule of both Mountain Gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking permits is exactly 25% of the permit fee.
Fine for tracking in a different location (Gorilla): Tracking wildlife in an unauthorized zone or using an incorrect permit allocation can independently trigger an additional administrative penalty. Tracking a gorilla group at a different location than specified attracts a penalty equal to 50% of the permit fee.
Littering: To protect the serenity and cleanliness of the parks, littering carries a penalty of UGX 200,000 per incident. This penalty is strictly enforced to protect wildlife from hazardous waste (like plastics and glass) and to preserve the natural ecosystem.
Hooting in the Park: Hooting is strictly forbidden across all Ugandan national parks such as Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. The use of vehicle horns profoundly disturbs wild animals and may induce aggressive responses, compromising the safety of tourists and transit operators. To deter this, an immediate fine of UGX 100,000 is imposed for each offense detected by park rangers.
Safety violations: Sitting on top of moving safari vehicles, which poses extreme safety risks, attracts a fine of USD $ 100 per occurrence. Uganda Wildlife Authority park rangers strictly enforce this penalty across all protected areas, including Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, to prevent fatal accidents and protect visitors from wild animal attacks. Visitors are required to remain completely inside the vehicle or look through the designated open-roof pop-up hatch.
Default on tariffs: Uganda Wildlife Authority enforces a general default on tariffs, a fine of USD $150 per person for tourists who fail to comply with the established park regulations and safety guidelines.
Fine for swinging, standing, touching, and climbing on Equator Monument: While standard physical touching for a photo is expected, aggressive physical behavior such as climbing to the top, standing on the delicate structure, or swinging from parts of the monument is classified as general misconduct or a breach of park guidelines and carries a fine of UGX 100,000/= per incident
Fines for feeding of wild animals: Because feeding wild animals disrupts their natural feeding habits, spreads diseases, and creates dangerous human-wildlife conflicts, UWA enforces strict compliance through fines of UGX 100,000/= per person per incident.

Strict Statutory Penalties for Wildlife Crime

The UWA reminds the public that minor commercial field fines are entirely separate from criminal wildlife offences.

Under the Uganda Wildlife Act, the judicial system continues to impose heavy sentences and fines for severe conservation breaches:

Illegal Entry: Entering protected national parks without authorized clearance can lead to custodial sentences or severe financial penalties.
Poaching and Trafficking Protected Species: Convictions involving critically endangered species can carry a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment, a fine of UGX 20 billion, or both.
Encroachment and Habitat Destruction: Activities such as unauthorized logging, mining, or livestock grazing inside the parks face heavy corporate or individual penalties.

About Uganda Wildlife Authority -UWA

The Uganda Wildlife Authority is the statutory government agency responsible for managing, conserving, and protecting Uganda’s wildlife and protected areas.

Operating under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, UWA oversees 10 national parks, 12 wildlife reserves, and 5 wildlife sanctuaries.

Core Responsibilities:

Wildlife Conservation: Protecting endangered species, managing habitats, and fighting illegal wildlife trade and poaching.
Tourism Management: Issuing permits (such as gorilla and chimpanzee tracking), setting park entrance fees, and maintaining park infrastructure.
Community Benefit Sharing: Allocating 20% of park entry fees to local communities living adjacent to the parks to fund schools, health centers, and infrastructure.

Key Destinations Under UWA

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park & Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are well known worldwide for their adventurous mountain gorilla trekking.
Murchison Falls National Park: Uganda’s largest park, known for the powerful Murchison Falls and diverse savannah safaris.
Queen Elizabeth National Park: Home to tree-climbing lions, boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel, and vast crater lakes.
Kidepo Valley National Park: A rugged, remote wilderness located in the northeast, celebrated for its spectacular landscapes and unique wildlife.

Linking Conservation and Sustainable Tourism

These financial and penal frameworks run parallel to the revised conservation tariffs. Park permit pricing continues to balance accessibility with ecological protection.

Peak season mountain gorilla trekking permits remain positioned at USD 800 for Foreign Non-Residents (FNR), while promotional low-season permits (available during April, May, and November) offer a subsidized rate of USD 600 to encourage steady travel year-round.

The revenue generated from both tourism activities and the enforcement of park fines directly finances anti-poaching patrol units, community development initiatives for populations bordering wildlife zones, and habitat restoration campaigns.

Visitors and tour companies are strongly urged to review the updated operational rules before entering any protected areas.