The State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra has officially commissioned the Kanyamahene Batwa Model Village worth Shs 200 Million in Rushaga Parish, Rubuguri Town Council, Kisoro District, offering a new lease of life to formerly homeless members of the Batwa community as part of the government’s commitment to inclusive conservation and community development.
Constructed by the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust (BMCT), the Kanyamahene Model Village provides eight Batwa families with permanent housing, clean water, agricultural land, and essential household items. It forms part of a broader strategy to support Batwa resettlement, housing, and education.
Presiding over the Commissioning ceremony on Friday, Minister Mugarra, commended BMCT and its partners, including WWF, for their dedication to empowering the Batwa, an indigenous group historically displaced from forest habitats near Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
“This village is more than just infrastructure, it is a symbol of hope, dignity, and opportunity for Batwa families,” said Minister Mugarra. “It shows what we can achieve when conservation is people-centered and driven by compassion and collaboration.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustainable development that balances environmental protection with human welfare, urging the Batwa to embrace education, healthier lifestyles, and community development values.
“It is true that the Batwa once lived in these forests for their livelihood, but now we must ensure they benefit fully from the support being given. This is part of an ongoing discussion, even at Cabinet level, about how best to address the needs of minority groups,” he added.
Uganda Wildlife Authority Executive Director and BMCT Chairperson, Dr. James Musinguzi, expressed optimism that the model village will improve livelihoods for communities around Bwindi and Mgahinga protected areas, describing the approach as “conservation, development, and business.”
“There is strong evidence that communities living near protected areas are among the poorest, with limited economic opportunities, especially the Batwa. BMCT recognized this in time and designed programs specifically targeting their needs,” he said.
BMCT Chief Executive Officer, Mr Wilberforce Tumwesigye, called for increased government support to recapitalize the trust, noting that community demands for livelihoods, water, soil conservation, and energy are growing.
He explained that although the trust saw strong returns in 2021, its overseas investments suffered during the COVID-19 period and global market volatility, with a gradual recovery now underway.
Since its inception, BMCT has acquired 406 acres of land for 303 Batwa households across Kisoro, Kanungu, Rubanda, and Kabale districts. It has built 17 permanent houses, including the eight in Kanyamahene and sponsored the education of over 700 Batwa children at all levels.
Beyond the Batwa, BMCT has contributed to conservation in the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area (BMCA) by training and equipping 280 rangers for anti-poaching operations, establishing 31 km and maintaining 82.5 km of Mauritius thorn hedges to reduce human-wildlife conflict, building 72 classrooms, six health centres, and 45 rainwater harvesting tanks for surrounding communities.
