Change a Life Bwindi puts communities at the heart of World Gorilla day

What the report says

The Independent Uganda reports that World Gorilla Day was marked in Kanungu District with a community-focused event organized by Change a Life-Bwindi in Mpungu Sub-County. Activities included tree planting, cleaning, dialogue sessions, a free medical camp and sports, with more than 120 residents said to have received medical services from Rugarama Hospital. The group’s founder, Christine Katushabe, used the occasion to emphasize that conservation around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is tied to local livelihoods, jobs and business opportunities.

The article says mountain gorillas are central not only to Uganda’s wildlife image but also to tourism revenue for communities around Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. It notes that Uganda is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and that visitor numbers to the parks have grown in recent years. The story attributes these figures and related tourism revenue data to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, including combined earnings from the two parks and community funding distributed around the Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area.

According to the report, the economic benefits extend to porters, guides, lodge workers, farmers, drivers and small businesses supplying the tourism sector. The Uganda Tourism Board’s Juliana Kagwa is quoted as saying gorillas remain a major draw for the country and that sustainable tourism is important as Uganda seeks to broaden its tourism offer. The broader message of the event was that protecting gorillas and their forest habitat can help protect local incomes and community projects.