The CTC Conservation Centre has emerged as one of the attractions being highlighted in Uganda’s domestic tourism drive after State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Nakawuki encouraged Ugandans to look beyond national parks and traditional game reserves when exploring the country’s wildlife experiences.
The minister made the call during a familiarisation visit to the Conservation Through Community (CTC) Conservation Centre in Lukalu, Butambala District, where she toured the privately run wildlife attraction and interacted with several of its animals.
Located about 15 minutes from Mpigi Town and approximately 36 to 43 kilometres southwest of Kampala along the Kampala-Masaka Road, the CTC Conservation Centre offers guided conservation tours designed to bring wildlife experiences closer to communities.
The centre has become part of a growing conversation around Uganda tourism, particularly efforts to encourage more citizens to discover attractions that are easily accessible from the capital.
During the visit, Hon. Nakawuki interacted with a range of wildlife at the centre. She fed lemurs, giraffes and zebras during the tour.
She also came into close contact with a lion as part of the guided experience.
The conservation facility is home to lions, hyenas, giraffes, lemurs, snakes, crocodiles, tigers and zebras.
It also houses a zonkey, described by the source as a hybrid between a zebra and a donkey.
Reflecting on the visit, the minister urged Ugandans to take advantage of the country’s diverse tourism experiences.
“I invite Ugandans to enjoy their country and explore the different tourism experiences that Uganda has to offer,”
She also praised CTC proprietor Thomas Price for creating a conservation model that brings wildlife closer to surrounding communities.
According to the minister, partnerships involving government, the private sector and local communities remain important in strengthening conservation efforts while expanding Uganda’s tourism sector.
Beyond offering wildlife encounters, the CTC Conservation Centre combines conservation, education and guided tours intended to help visitors, particularly children and young people, develop a greater appreciation for nature.
During the visit, proprietor Thomas Price outlined plans to expand the conservation facility. He said the centre intends to acquire an additional 52 acres of land.
According to Price, the proposed expansion is intended to support the future development of an elephant sanctuary.
“The vision is big. We want to expand the habitat and create an even bigger space for wildlife,” Price explained that education remains at the heart of the centre’s activities.
He said visitors are introduced to wildlife through responsible and supervised interactions designed to promote conservation awareness.
He also said such encounters can leave a lasting impression on younger visitors. “It is an experience that stays with you forever, especially for children,”
The source states that the CTC Conservation Centre forms part of a broader movement promoting conservation through community participation while supporting domestic tourism.
Its proximity to Kampala also offers an option for visitors who may not be able to travel to Uganda’s traditional safari destinations.
The centre therefore combines wildlife experiences with educational opportunities in a setting that is accessible through the Kampala-Masaka Road before continuing to Lukalu.
The minister said private conservation initiatives have the potential to broaden Uganda’s tourism offering while encouraging greater appreciation for wildlife conservation.
That message aligns with ongoing efforts to encourage domestic tourism Uganda by showcasing destinations beyond the country’s established national parks.
The source also indicates that community-based conservation initiatives are playing an increasingly visible role in the country’s tourism landscape.
Confirmed plans indicate that the CTC Conservation Centre intends to expand by acquiring an additional 52 acres of land.
According to Thomas Price, that expansion is expected to support the future development of an elephant sanctuary.
However, the source does not confirm when the land acquisition will take place.
It also does not state whether funding has been secured or when construction of the proposed sanctuary could begin.
For now, the centre continues offering guided conservation tours while positioning itself as an accessible destination for wildlife experiences near Kampala.
As Uganda continues promoting domestic travel, the CTC Conservation Centre is seeking to demonstrate that conservation, education and tourism can work together beyond the country’s better-known safari parks.
While the proposed expansion remains at the planning stage, the minister’s visit highlighted the growing role that community-based conservation initiatives can play in widening Uganda’s tourism offering and encouraging more citizens to discover wildlife closer to home.
