The population of mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has increased to 1,063, up from about 300 in 1990, amid renewed calls for stronger conservation and warnings against illegal tracking activities in Uganda.
Mountain gorillas are only found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 459 mountain gorillas, according to conservation figures presented during this year’s World Gorilla Day celebrations.
The statistics were highlighted today during Uganda’s national World Gorilla Day celebrations held in Ruhija, Rubanda District.World Gorilla Day is commemorated globally every year to raise awareness about the conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitats.
In Uganda, national celebrations are hosted on a rotational basis in districts involved in gorilla conservation, including Rubanda, Kisoro and Kanungu.
This year, Rubanda District is hosting the national celebrations at Ruhija Community Playground in Ruhija Sub-County under the theme, “Securing the Future: Restoring Indigenous Trees, Healthy Gorillas and Resilient Communities.”
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The celebrations have brought together conservationists, government officials, local leaders, communities and other stakeholders to discuss gorilla conservation, forest protection and the importance of supporting communities living around protected areas.
The increase in the gorilla population has been attributed to continued conservation efforts across the three countries, including the protection of gorilla habitats, regular monitoring, enforcement of conservation measures and increased involvement of communities living around protected areas.
The Guest of Honour, Col Tom Butime, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, was represented at the event by the Commissioner responsible for Biodiversity Management in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities John Magambo and as part of the conservation efforts, the Chief Guest planted an indigenous tree at Ruhija Church of Uganda.
Through his representative, Minister Butime welcomed the increase in the mountain gorilla population, describing the figures as an indication of progress in conservation and called for an end to illegal tracking of mountain gorillas in the Kigezi Region, warning that such activities undermine conservation efforts and could negatively affect Uganda’s tourism sector.
The Minister said mountain gorillas are an important tourism resource for Uganda, contributing to national revenue while creating income-generating opportunities for communities living around conservation areas.
He emphasized that protecting gorillas and their natural habitats should remain a shared responsibility involving government agencies, conservation organizations, tourism operators and communities.
Hon Butime also stressed the importance of restoring indigenous trees and protecting forests, noting that healthy forests provide the natural habitat required for the survival of mountain gorillas.
The Minister encouraged communities around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and other conservation areas to actively participate in conservation instead of engaging in activities that threaten wildlife and their habitats.
The Minister further said sustainable gorilla tourism can continue contributing to Uganda’s economy as long as the animals are protected and tourists follow established tracking guidelines.
Hon Butime also denounced what he described as illegal tracking practices involving some conservation partners. He alleged that some individuals had used their authority to facilitate tourists to track gorillas outside established procedures.
He said such practices should be stopped to ensure that Uganda benefits from its tourism resources through properly regulated and accountable tourism activities.
Meanwhile, the Chief Warden of the Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area, Richard Muhabwe Rugyenda, acknowledged the latest mountain gorilla population statistics, describing the increase as an important achievement for conservation efforts in the region.
Muhabwe Rugyenda said the growth in the gorilla population reflects progress made through continued protection of the animals, conservation of their habitats, and cooperation between wildlife authorities, conservation partners and communities living around protected areas.
He noted that while the increase in the gorilla population is encouraging, it also comes with a greater responsibility to ensure that the animals and their habitats remain protected.
Muhabwe Rugyenda called for continued community participation in conservation, saying communities living around protected areas play a critical role in protecting forests and preventing activities that could threaten gorilla habitats.
He also emphasized the importance of responsible gorilla tourism, noting that tourism revenues can contribute to conservation and provide economic benefits to communities living around protected areas.
While speaking at the same event, the Ruhija Town Council Chairman Geoffrey Tumuhimbise commended communities living around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for increasingly embracing conservation and supporting efforts to protect mountain gorillas and their natural habitats.
Tumuhimbise said the growing involvement of local communities in conservation is an important step towards ensuring the long-term survival of mountain gorillas and protecting the forests on which they depend.
He noted that communities living near protected areas are key partners in conservation because they interact directly with the environment and wildlife.
The Chairman called for continued sensitization and involvement of residents in conservation programmes so that communities can better understand the importance of protecting gorillas, forests and other natural resources.
Tumuhimbise also appealed to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to strengthen its support for communities living in the neighbourhood of protected areas and said increased support from UWA would help communities appreciate the benefits of conservation and encourage more residents to participate in activities aimed at protecting the environment and wildlife.
He further called for stronger cooperation between UWA, local governments and communities to address challenges affecting people living around conservation areas.
According to Tumuhimbise, conservation should not focus only on protecting wildlife but should also consider the welfare and livelihoods of communities living alongside protected areas.
Rubanda District Chairperson Ampeire Stephen Kasyaba made it categorically clear that communities living near gorillas deserve a fair share of benefits from their protection.
Kasyaba who addressed the same gathering said revenue sharing should not be seen as charity but as an investment in conservation and emphasized that when communities see tangible benefits like schools, health centres and water projects from protecting gorillas, conservation becomes a shared economic interest.
Kasyaba urged government and tourism stakeholders to increase the revenue share returned to communities and ensure transparency, accountability and participation of local leaders, women and youth in deciding how funds are used.
