List Of Ramsar Sites In Uganda

List Of Ramsar Sites In Uganda

A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, also known as “The Convention on Wetlands.

Ramsar Sites In Uganda

Uganda presently has 12 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface total area of 454,303 hectares.

Ramsar Sites in Uganda are several and include a number of wetlands.

These sites are recognized by Bird Life International as Important Bird Areas as they offer vital habitations for some endangered animals and plants. 

The Ramsar sites spread around the country include Uganda’s biggest tract of swamps, forests and extensive papyrus tracts and magnificent system of waterfalls.

Uganda offers protection to the home of endangered species like globally vulnerable Shoebill stork, Sitatunga and the Papyrus Gonolek, which are vital tourist attractions.

These sites have socio-economic and cultural values as local communities depend on them for survival in form of fishing, construction materials, flood protection, medicines, water filtration and grazing among others.

The Wetlands Inspection Division, for this new achievement and for its continual efforts in the implementation of the Convention at both national and international levels. The sites were designated by various environmental bodies including WWF’s Global Freshwater Programme, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Bird Life International, the Royal Danish Embassy in Kampala and Nature Uganda among others. Uganda joined the Convention in 1988 and has 12 Ramsar sites. Internationally, the Convention’s 153 Contracting Parties have 1626  designated Ramsar sites that occupy 145,594,013 hectares ( 359,617,212 acres). The following are the Ramsar Sites in Uganda:-

Sango Bay-Musambwa Island-Kagera Wetland System (SAMUKA)

Nabajjuzi Wetland System

Lutembe Bay Wetland System

Mabamba Bay Wetland System

Lake Nabugabo

Lake Bisina Wetland System

Lake Nakuwa Wetland System

Lake Opeta Wetland System

Lake Mburo-Nakivali Wetland System

Nabajjuzi Wetland System   

                                                                                                                                                         Murchison Falls-Albert Delta Wetland System- Lake Mburo-Nakivali Wetland System