Bugoma Forest opened for chimpanzee tours

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KIKUUBE - The Government, through the National Forestry Authority (NFA), has officially launched chimpanzee trekking in Bugoma Central Forest Reserve. 

The move is expected to generate revenue and create job opportunities for those involved in the tourism sector.

Speaking at the launch of Ecotourism for Bugoma Forest Reserve Walter Akwasa, a research co-ordinator for Bugoma primate conservation project, said to address the challenges of the degradation of nature, empowerment of the young generation in environmental protection is key. 

The project focuses on researching and promoting the protection of chimpanzees and mangabey monkeys in Bugoma Forest Reserve in Kikuube district. 

 Akwasa says there is a need to train young people mostly students to grow up knowing the effects of degrading the environment.

He was optimistic that if young people get trained and know the importance of environmental protection, they will not engage in the act of degrading flora and fauna when they turn adults.

He noted that most of the schools focus on academics adding that under their project, they have put a component of supporting schools to empower the students with conservation skills.

“We do not conserve for the forest, but we conserve for the people, we work with the community because if they do not understand what you are doing here, then you are just wasting time," he said. 

UP in the big trees are chimpanzees inside Bugoma forest. (Credit: Peter Abaanabasazi)

"So, as Bugoma primate conservation project, we work with the community but specifically, we focus on schoolchildren because we know those are the are future generations if they do understand the role of this, then mostly likely they will appreciate and the future the conservation efforts will be brighter,  but we do reiterate that community conservation is an ongoing process that should not be stopped at all times,” he said.

However, Akakwasa commended the NFA for deciding to open Bugoma Forest Reserve to ecotourism adding that the initiative will promote the protection and conservation of the forest that has faced encroachment and degradation.  

The decision to open up the forest follows the habituation of two chimpanzee communities in with 140 chimpanzees: Mwera North, for research, and Mwera South, for ecotourism.

He noted that the Mwera South Chimpanzee community has about 60 to 70 chimpanzees and this one is designated for research while Mwera north also with about 60 to 70 chimpanzees is for tourism.

Juliet Mubi, the NFA spokesperson, said several efforts such as increased patrolling of the forest, deployment of the army and opening of the boundary have been put in place to protect and conserve the forest from encroachment.

She noted that NFA has decided to open up Bugoma forest reserve for ecotourism because they hope that the initiative will also contribute to the conservation of the forest.

 She noted that the initiative is going to bring in revenue to the Government and also help in the conservation of Bugoma Forest, which is home to over 300 chimpanzees.