Rubanda District chairman Stephen Ampeire Kasyaba has called for an increase in the share of tourism revenue given to communities living adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and other protected areas.
Kasyaba said communities neighbouring protected areas play a critical role in conservation but often bear the consequences of human-wildlife conflicts, including crop destruction and threats to livelihoods.
Under the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) revenue-sharing programme, communities neighbouring national parks receive 20 per cent of park entry fees.
Kasyaba said the arrangement should be reviewed to ensure communities receive a larger and more visible share of the economic benefits generated from tourism and conservation.
“Let the people who protect the forest get their share,” he said.
He was speaking during World Gorilla Day celebrations at Ruhiija Church of Uganda in Ruhiija Town Council, Rubanda District, on Thursday.
Kasyaba said communities need to see tangible benefits from conservation if they are to remain motivated to protect forests and wildlife.
He said tourism contributes to the local economy through revenue generation, employment and growth of businesses supplying goods and services to visitors.
The chairman cited discussions around oil revenue sharing in the Bunyoro sub-region, where communities have called for a five per cent share of oil revenues, saying a similar approach could be considered for communities living alongside protected areas.
“Communities surrounding protected areas should benefit directly from the revenues generated by tourism and conservation activities,” he said.
Kasyaba also called for improved road infrastructure in Ruhiija, saying better roads are essential for tourism development and access to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Ruhiija is one of the gateways to Bwindi, which attracts visitors for mountain gorilla tracking and other tourism activities.
He said poor road infrastructure can discourage tourists, tour operators and service providers from accessing the area.
Kasyaba also called for communities surrounding Echuya Forest to benefit from conservation and tourism-related initiatives.
He said visible public services and development opportunities in communities neighbouring protected areas would strengthen their relationship with conservation authorities and encourage residents to support conservation.
“When communities see the benefits of conservation, they are more likely to participate actively in protecting the forest and wildlife,” he said.
Rubanda District Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Ritah Elizabeth Byiringiro commended district leaders, UWA officials and conservation partners for supporting communities living around protected areas.
Byiringiro urged communities neighbouring Bwindi to continue protecting the park and its resources, saying they are among the direct beneficiaries of tourism and conservation activities.
She said community participation is essential to protecting the park for current and future generations.
Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area chief warden Richard Muhabwe said Bwindi is a recognised World Heritage Site and is home to about 591 mountain gorillas, out of the estimated 1,063 gorillas recorded in Uganda.
Muhabwe commended residents of Ruhiija and surrounding communities for supporting conservation.
He said Bwindi continues to benefit communities through access to selected forest resources and revenue-sharing initiatives, which demonstrate the importance of linking conservation with community livelihoods.
The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Col Tom Butime, represented by the ministry’s Commissioner for Biodiversity Management, Mr John Magambo, called for an end to illegal tracking of mountain gorillas in the Kigezi region.
Magambo, speaking on behalf of the minister, said illegal tracking undermines conservation efforts and could affect Uganda’s tourism sector.
He said mountain gorillas are an important tourism resource that generates revenue for the country while creating income-generating opportunities for communities around conservation areas.
Magambo said protecting gorillas and their habitats should be a shared responsibility among government agencies, conservation organisations, tourism operators and local communities.
He also called for restoration of indigenous trees and protection of forests, saying healthy forests provide the habitat needed for the survival of mountain gorillas.
The minister further urged communities around Bwindi and other conservation areas to participate in conservation rather than engage in activities that threaten wildlife and their habitats.
He said sustainable gorilla tourism can continue contributing to Uganda’s economy if the animals are protected and tourists adhere to established tracking guidelines.
Magambo also raised concern over alleged illegal tracking practices involving some conservation partners, saying some individuals had used their authority to facilitate tourists to track gorillas outside established procedures.
He called for an end to such practices to ensure Uganda benefits from its tourism resources through regulated and accountable tourism activities.
