Uganda’s lion population has suffered a dramatic decline over the past 15 years, with conservationists warning that the trend continues to worsen. A recent report published in The Conversation highlights alarming losses, particularly in the Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area (QECA), which encompasses Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura, and Kigezi Game Reserves.
The findings reveal a staggering 40% decrease in the park’s renowned tree-climbing lion population since 2018. The situation is even more dire in Kidepo Valley National Park, where the lion population has plummeted from 132 to just 12 within the same period. The last stronghold for Uganda’s lions appears to be Murchison Falls National Park, which currently supports an estimated 240 lions.
Experts attribute the sharp decline to several factors, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and declining prey availability. As human settlements expand and encroach on natural habitats, lions face increased threats from retaliatory killings by livestock farmers and illegal hunting.
While lions continue to struggle, the report notes that other carnivores in Uganda are faring relatively better. Leopard populations have remained stable in key areas such as Lake Mburo and Murchison Falls, while spotted hyenas have shown resilience and adaptability, with numbers exceeding previous estimates.
Conservationists are urging immediate action to prevent further losses, calling for stronger anti-poaching measures, better wildlife management policies, and increased investment in community conservation initiatives. Without urgent intervention, Uganda’s lions could face an irreversible decline, threatening the country’s biodiversity and its reputation as a prime destination for wildlife tourism.
