UWA Considers Penalties for Tourists Who Breach Gorilla Trekking Rules

What the report says

Uganda Wildlife Authority is weighing penalties for tourists who break gorilla trekking rules, according to Nile Post, as conservation officials raise concerns about disease transmission and unsafe visitor behaviour around mountain gorillas. The discussion centers on enforcing existing guidelines, especially the requirement to keep at least 10 metres from the animals and to follow instructions from guides.

Richard Muhawe, chief warden of the Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area, said UWA plans to tighten enforcement and consult with headquarters, the tourism department and the executive director on how any penalties could work. He cited reports of tourists refusing to wear masks, moving too close to gorillas and ignoring guidance in the field. The authority has not yet announced final penalties or procedures, and stakeholders said tourists should be informed clearly before any new measures take effect.

The 10-metre rule was raised from seven metres during the COVID-19 period to reduce the risk of human-to-gorilla disease spread. Muhawe said that because mountain gorillas are highly vulnerable to human illnesses, a single outbreak could be severe for the species. The report also links the debate to broader concerns about irresponsible tourism practices and the role of online marketing in shaping visitor expectations.

The article says the issue surfaced during an assessment of the Gorilla Friendly Pledge, a conservation campaign run by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme and the Wildlife-Friendly Enterprise Network in Uganda and Rwanda. The assessment pointed to weak enforcement, inconsistent communication and limited sharing of the pledge with tourists, and recommended stronger training, clearer messaging and better monitoring of tourism businesses.