Uganda Wildlife Education Centre popularly known as "Entebbe Zoo" was opened in 1952, as a reception centre for wild animals that were found as casualties (sick, injured, orphaned, confiscated from illegal trade). In the early 1960s, it changed its role to a zoo where a number of non-indigenous species, including bears and tigers, were kept as an attraction. The Uganda wildlife education Central is located on the edge of Lake Victoria, its rich vegetation and its surprisingly wide range of birds; butterflies and other free and roaming animals make it an attractive venue for education.

All the animals at Uganda Wildlife Education Centre have been rescued from poachers, illegal trade or accidents. The animals are brought to the centre by government agencies, animal welfare groups and concerned citizens. The great thing about Uganda Wildlife Education Centre is that it is not a traditional zoo, so they do not capture or purchase animals to show here.

Visiting the centre

The centre is has four main sectors:

• The Savannah ecosystem is the largest in Uganda and is represented by exhibits: Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo and Kidepo
• The Wetland ecosystem represents the 25% of Uganda's land mass under the wetlands. The Shoe bill Stork, lungfish, Weaver Birds and Monitor Lizards live here.
• The Queen Elizabeth Forest ecosystem represents the forest cover of Uganda and includes a 1000m forest trail with free ranging antelope, beautiful de Brazza’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, hundreds of beautiful coloured butterflies and indigenous plant species.
• The Herbarium consists of over 250 herbal plant species that are commonly found in Uganda homes, as well as information on the type of diseases that they cure.

The centre also offers a variety of accommodation in the form of self-contained flats, banda's, dormitories and camping. Visitor’s facilities including a canteen, kiosk, and bar, a picnic area, donkey and camel rides and a crafts shop as well as entertainment every Sunday evening by a local cultural group.