UWA Re-collars Lioness Matsiko After Eight-Month Tracking Blackout

What the report says

Nile Post reports that the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has fitted lioness Matsiko with a new GPS tracking collar after her earlier device failed to transmit for more than eight months. The authority said in a statement dated Monday, July 20, 2026, that the replacement restores real-time monitoring of the lioness and supports ongoing conservation work.

According to the report, the recollaring operation took place on Sunday and required UWA field teams to locate Matsiko, safely immobilise her and attach a new satellite collar. UWA said the device is now working and will allow rangers to receive location data that can help them respond more quickly to incidents involving the animal.

The authority described GPS collars as a key tool for tracking wildlife movements, managing risks of human-wildlife conflict, and gathering information useful for ecological research. The gap in transmissions from Matsiko’s previous collar had limited rangers’ ability to follow her movements and behaviour for over eight months, reducing the effectiveness of routine monitoring.

The development matters because lions and communities living near protected areas can come into contact, creating risks for both people and wildlife. While the Nile Post report does not specify Matsiko’s range or the protected area involved, UWA’s stated goal is to use technology to strengthen conservation, improve research, and promote coexistence between wildlife and neighbouring communities.