It is no secret that the Society over the years since 1961 has become very focused on Kenya and not nearly enough focused on the other East African countries, notwithstanding the Society’s name. Over the last 2 years there had been a conscious push to redress this imbalance. But it did not seem sensible to try and achieve this by setting up EAWLS branches in those countries, which would inevitably end up in competition with and resentment by existing similar conservation organizations active in those countries.

For Uganda, there exists the Uganda Wildlife Society. So during 2011, the two Societies have been engaged in discussing how best to collaborate with each other to the mutual advantage of both. The process was facilitated by a genuine keenness from both parties to have a successful outcome. The result has been a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed in December.

Under this MoU, both parties have agreed that areas of collaboration, include, but are not limited to the following:
• Research, policy, law, institutional reform and advocacy in regard to the management of natural
resources
• Sharing of experience, information and expertise in undertaking the above collaboration
• Facilitating donor support for undertaking the above work
• Working together on advocacy and advocacy materials.

With the MoU in place, there is now a need to move this approach into actual activities based on a needs assessment. We intend doing this during this month and next. We will keep every one informed on what emerges.

By Nigel Hunter,  Executive Director, East African Wildlife Society