Our Team

Meet Our Team

“Meet the talented people who drive our collective vision and advance our mission here. Every team member contributes their distinct area of knowledge, enthusiasm, and commitment, which makes us a formidable force in accomplishing our goals. Learn about the people that drive the creativity, teamwork, and achievements that characterize our organization.”

Jonathan L. Kwiyega , Executive Director

With a Master of Science degree in Management of Natural Resources for Sustainable Agriculture, from Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania), and has broad natural resource management experience. He has been the WASIMA project manager since 2015. He is a wildlife conservator, storyteller, researcher, trainer, educator, and activist. He is also a teacher, gifted speaker, and author of How to Glow Your Genius and Develop Your Talent.

Gilya Lino, Programs Manager

Lino joined WASIMA in 2019 and worked as an Assistant Project Manager under the WASIMA Campaign. Gilya holds an MSc. in Ecosystem Science and Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture. He is currently leading the Tabora team working around the Ugalla-Kigosi ecosystem but is based at Ipole Village. Lino has a deep passion for wildlife photography and research.

Belinda J. Mligo, Human-Lion Conflict Mitigation Program Coordinator

Belinda holds an M.Sc. in Public Health and Food Safety and a B.Sc. in Wildlife Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). She first joined WASIMA as an intern in May 2021 until July 2022 when she took over the leading of the Human Lion Coexistence Program (WASIMA campaign) operations in the Katavi and Rukwa ecosystem.

Happiness Jackson, Environmental Education and Outreach Program Coordinator

Happiness first interned with WASIMA in 2020, where she worked closely with Emmanuel to run the VIMA youth project. She started leading youth and children engagements in conservation in 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management and conservation and enjoys working with youth groups.

Errio Tom, Finance and Accountant Manager

He regularly undertakes financial accounts work including preparing and submitting tax returns, preparing the financial statement, and maintaining receivables and payables accounts. Over the years, he has developed the ability to work with other firms, he has helped businesses with collecting, tracking, and correcting the company financials and also offered financial advice when required. Errio obtained his bachelor degree in Economics and Finance from the Institute of Accountancy Arusha. He began working as an assistant accountant at the Baobab Community Foundation for more than two years. He is currently enrolled in a certified public Account.

Prisca G. Patroba, Administration Officer

Prisca joined WASIMA in 2022. She holds a degree in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness and has been pivotal in managing administration duties at WASIMA. She is excited to work in the conservation field.

Bahati Hillary Kayanda, Camp Mechanic and Driver

Bahati joined WASIMA in 2016 as a village assistant for our youth and Environment program. In 2020, he was supported to join Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) to advance his lifelong passion for vehicle driving and maintenance. He is currently managing services and maintenance of our field vehicles and motorbikes.

Christopher Msirombo, Field Assistant

Msirombo previously served as a Lion Conservation Ambassador. He was also a Village Game Scout for Ipole Wildlife Management Area. He has a vast experience of the area and conservation challenges in the area and has been committed to working to secure the future of communities and wildlife around the Ugalla ecosystem.

John Kakusa, Field Operations Assistant

John Godwell Kakusa joined WASIMA in 2020 and has been pivotal in managing our tree Nurseries. He has been progressively learning new skills and sometimes assisting Bahati in fixing vehicles.

Paschalia William Boniface, Household and Logistics Officer

Pascalia joined WASIMA in 2022. She takes care of our main office in Mpimbwe.

Editha Abdallah Kwiyanga, Office Cleaner

Editha plays an important role in ensuring our compound and offices are always clean.

Mashaka Kija , HLC Field Officer – Ugalla - Kigosi Ecosystem

Mashaka Kija has a Bachelor of Science in Education with Computer Science (2018) from Ruaha Catholic University (RUCU). He is currently an intern at WASIMA and working as a Community Conservation Education and Outreach Officer. Previously, he worked as an education officer at Nyumba Ali Onlus (organization) in Iringa, and he also served as a tutor and ICT officer at Mwanza Medical and Vocational Academy (college). Kija originates from the Sukuma pastoral communities and enjoys working with agro and pastoral groups to foster their coexistence with lions and the environment at large.

Benson A. Mremi,HLC Field Officer – Ugalla - Kigosi Ecosystem

Benson A. Mremi has a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from the College of African Wildlife Management, MWEKA. He has wide exposure to wildlife management acquired from different protected areas in Tanzania including Serengeti, Tarangire, Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and wildlife Management Areas. Benson has a deep passion for bird watching, research, wildlife inventory, and monitoring and hopes to utilize his passion and skills toward the fulfillment of the WASIMA strategic goals.

Abiud Mpasa, Communication Officer

Abiud Mpasa has a degree in Accounting and Finance degree from Moshi Cooperative University. He joined the WASIMA as a Communication Officer. Abiud has skills in photography, videography, website designing, profile designing, and content creation. He is also passionate about working with youth and developing youth engagement activities. We are really privileged and excited to have him as part of our team.

Paul Yohana, Conservation and Outreach Field Officer

Paulo joined WASIMA in 2024 as a Conservation and Outreach Field Officer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Dodoma. With a deep passion for conservation and advocacy for climate action justice, Paulo is excited to contribute to Youth Engagement and Environmental Programs at WASIMA.

Ester Joseph, Beekeeping Livelihood Officer

Esther Joseph Joined WASIMA in June 2024 as a Beekeeping Livelihood Officer. She holds a Diploma in Beekeeping from the Beekeeping Training Institute -Tabora, with this thirst and passion, she wants a high number of people to realize the importance of environmental conservation and beekeeping to bring great prosperity to the community, so she manages the Elephant and human crisis project at WASIMA by showing a safe and friendly way to solve the crisis in the community.

Elizabeth Aliponda, Monitoring and Evaluation oficer

Elizabeth Aliponda joined WASIMA in September 2024 as a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning intern. She is passionate about the conservation of the environment while ensuring that all conservation-related activities bring a constructive impact to the community. She holds a BSc. Environmental Science and Management from Ardhi University- Dar es Salaam.

Lion Conservation Ambassadors

Abubakari Juma

Abubakari Juma represents WASIMA in Lumbe village. He graduated from primary school education in 2006, and later joined Village Game Scout Training at Likuyu Sekamaganga College in 2021. He started working as an assistant for the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) in managing problem animals in Lumbe village. He loves lions as they represent a symbol of strength.

Christina Meja

Christina represents WASIMA in three villages (Lyazumbi and some parts of Ipanda, Mkole, and Paramawe) of Nkasi in the Rukwa region.

Gonda Tungu Ngwengwe

Gonda represents WASIMA at Mwamulu village and also manages the operation of the human-wildlife conflict Loudspeaker and Early Warning System (LEWS) in his village.

Isack Oscar

Represents WASIMA in Mapili village. He graduated from Secondary School Education in 2017 and later joined the Community Based Conservation Training Centre (CBCTC) - Likuyu in 2021. He assumed working as a village game scout in 2022 TAWA in patrolling Inyonga Game Reserve in Mlele District. Isack passion for wildlife and conservation started way back when their parents used to take them to different wildlife areas.

Tumaini Lauliano Kilenga

Tumaini Lauliano Kilenga represent WASIMA in Ipwaga village. He graduated from primary school education in 1997 joined National Service Training in 2014 and later enrolled in Village Game Scout training at Likuyu Sekamaganga College in 2021. He started working as an environmental and conservation assistant in 2022 and was involved in patrol activities at Ipwaga village assisting the Inyonga Game Reserve team.

Majaliwa Jumanne Kissaye

Represents WASIMA at Ugalla village in Nsimbo District Council. Majaliwa graduated from primary school education in 1996 and later trained as Mgambo in 2009. He served as a patrol officer representing Ugalla village under the support of Robin Hurt Safaris. He passionately aspires to reduce poaching incidences in his village. Majaliwa loves lions as they symbolize strength and courage in African culture.

Lucas Maganga

Lucas Maganga represents WASIMA in Utende village. He graduated from primary school education in 2011 and later enrolled in Village Game Scout Training at Likuyu Sekamaganga College. He started working as a VGS for Utende village under the ADAP project. Lucas loves buffaloes as they symbolize strength and resilience.

Michael Binige Musa

Michael Binige Musa represents WASIMA in Busongola village. He graduated from primary school education in 1996 and later joined Village Game Scout Training at Pasiansi under the support of Frankfurt Zoological. He has been working as a research assistant in Busongola village assisting in Chimpanzee and other wildlife monitoring. He loves Chimps because they share most behavioral traits with humans.

John Kwilasa

Joined the WASIMA campaign in 2011 and has been a supportive link between WASIMA and the community. He represents WASIMA in Mpimbwe District Council. He has a strong ability to influence community members and village leaders and he has been an instrumental link between WASIMA and the greater community of Mpimbwe. He actively represents the WASIMA team and assists in coordinating our village field activities and emergencies.

Mwayaya Philemon Mwazembe

Mwazembe joined WASIMA Campaign in 2011 making him one of the longest-tenured team members. Mwazembe works in 10 villages surrounding Katavi NP and Rukwa Game Reserve. He actively represents the WASIMA team and assists in coordinating our village field activities, outreaches, and emergencies.

Leonard Maiko

Leonard is a village game scout for Mpimbwe WMA and a committed LCA representing WASIMA in Kizi and Lyazumbi villages bordering Lwafi GR, Katavi NP, and Mpimbwe WMA.

James Abiud Kibingo

Represents WASIMA in Utimule village but also manages the Loud Speaker and Early Warning System (LEWS) in the village. He is also a village game scout and passionate about wildlife conservation.

Hamis Msimami Saidi

Represent WASIMA in Ukumbisiganga. Saidi resides next to Ugalla River National Park and Luganzo Tongwe Game Reserve. Growing up beside wildlife and experiencing coexistence challenges ignited his interest and commitment to participate in conservation. He loves lions because they symbolize strength.

Stephano Alfred Chata

Stephano has a deep passion of work with communities, especially in areas of education and self-awareness. He represents WASIMA at Idekamiso Village bordering Ipole WMA.

Vitalis Malilo

Vitalis represents WASIMA in Kibaoni village and has been a committed environmental ambassador in Kibaoni through WASIMA, he mobilized the formation of a beekeeping group and led tree-planting initiatives in his village. The area he represents borders Katavi National Park and Mpimbwe WMA and is faced with human-wildlife conflict and his commitment is to educate people on how to mitigate the conflict.

Lezile Anthony Mtunga

Lezile Anthony Mtunga represents WASIMA in Sitalike and Igongwe village. He completed his Secondary School Education in 2011 and 2015, he started working as a research assistant helping in camera trapping under the Ruaha Carnivore (now Lion Landscapes). Lezile loves giraffes as they symbolize calmness.

Ibrahim Salumu Mrisho

Ibrahim Salum Mrisho represents WASIMA in Idekamiso village. He completed his primary school education in 2005 and later trained as a mgambo. He later served as a VGS in his village assisting different conservation agencies in the village and nearby protected areas. He has been involved in major patrol for instance restoration efforts of Isawima WMA. He is attracted by the majestic look of lions.

Mathew Michael

Represents WASIMA in Izimbili village. He graduated from Secondary School Education in 2009 and later trained as a mgambo. He has been assisting in patrolling Uyumbu WMA through the support of Africare. He’s motivated to join conservation by the fact that he loves seeing diverse species of wildlife thriving in Uyumbu WMA. He loves a lion due to the fact that it's among the big five but also a major tourist attraction.

Ngasa Clement Ndege

Ngasa Clement Ndege represents WASIMA in Nsogolo. He was recruited in 2022 by the Uyumbu WMA to support ongoing joint patrol. His commitment to conservation has been ignited by his love for seeing wildlife thriving in community land. He loves lions because of their immense value to biodiversity and tourism.

Shabani R. Mloli

Shabani R. Mloli represents WASIMA at Nsongolo village. To fulfil his interest in conservation he joined joined Likuyu Sekamaganga Training College through the support of WWF and graduated in 2014. He joined Uyumbu WMA as a Village Game Scout and has been influential in leading local conservation efforts in Nsogolo village. He loves lions because they symbolize strength.

WASIMA's Board

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya, Board Chairman

Hans Ngoteya is a conservationist from Tanzania with a passion for filming and photography. His ultimate goal is to develop and explore practical solutions to solving emerging conservation challenges, through a combination of skills, knowledge, passion, and experience. Hans is a 2016 National Geographic Young Explorer grantee.

Prof. Tim Caro

Tim Caro is a Professor at Bristol University. He works on predator and antipredator behavior, biodiversity assessments, and conservation. He has a very long research record in Tanzania. One of his recent research works is investigating the evolutionary enigma of why zebras are black and white.

Prof. Monique Borgerhoff Mulder

Monique Borgerhoff Mulder is a UC Davis Professor of Anthropology with over 17 years of experience working in Mpimbwe. She specializes in quantitative demographic and economic analyses and has published (with P. Coppolillo) Conservation: Linking Ecology, Economics, and Culture (Princeton University Press, 2005)

Dr. Vanessa Lovenburg

Vanessa did her Ph.D. at Oxford on soft coral biodiversity, conservation, and phylogenetics. Soft corals (a.k.a octocorals) are an understudied group of corals found all over the world from deep to shallow waters in both polar and tropical seas. She has years of experience in fieldwork, lab work(genetics and species identification), mentoring, lecturing, and tutoring. she also has a passion for photography and anything creative.