Communities Living along Bwindi and Mgahinga Reap Big from Climate Smart Development Project

Residents living around Echuya Central Forest Reserve, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are celebrating improved livelihoods following support from the Ministry of Water and Environment under the Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development (IFPA-CD) project.

The project, which focuses on improving sustainable management of forests and protected areas while enhancing benefits for surrounding communities, has transformed the lives of many households, especially among the indigenous Batwa community who formerly depended on forests for survival.

In an interview with daily monitor , Mrs Athiano Mwebesa, the National Project Coordinator for the IFPA-CD project, said the initiative has empowered vulnerable families with alternative livelihood activities aimed at reducing human pressure on forests and wildlife habitats.

Mwebesa explained that the Batwa communities have benefited from support including water harvesting tanks, beehives, sewing machines and other income-generating activities to help them improve their standards of living.

“The Batwa are among the most vulnerable communities because they formerly depended entirely on forests. Through this project, we are equipping them with sustainable livelihood opportunities so that they can live better lives without interfering with wildlife and protected areas,” she said.

She noted that although the project was initially designed to run for six years, it has so far operated for four years and already registered visible achievements in conservation and community development.

Richard Muhabwe, the Chief Warden of the Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area under Uganda Wildlife Authority, said conservation efforts in the region continue to thrive alongside tourism development.

Muhabwe revealed that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park currently has 26 habituated gorilla families open to tourism tracking, while several other groups are undergoing habituation.

He added that the authority is increasingly working closely with local governments in districts including Rubanda, Kisoro and Kanungu to ensure that surrounding communities directly benefit from tourism and conservation activities.

‎Muhabwe further disclosed that the Ministry of Works and Transport together with the Uganda Wildlife Authority are collaborating on road infrastructure connecting the southern and northern sectors of the conservation area.

“The road network will greatly reduce travel time to the major tourism destinations. Visitors will be able to access the parks in less than one hour, which will boost tourism and improve business opportunities for local communities,” he said.

Members of the Batwa community testified that the project has restored hope and dignity to their lives.

Jane Nyirangano, Mucho Nzabonimana and Gad Semajere said support from the project has enabled them to start small businesses and improve household incomes through honey production and tailoring.

“We received beehives and sewing machines which are helping us earn a living. We are now able to sell honey and other products to support our families,” they said.

Community leaders and conservation stakeholders believe the IFPA-CD project is playing a critical role in balancing environmental conservation with socio-economic transformation, especially among vulnerable communities living near protected areas in Western Uganda.

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