The Albertine Apes Alliance recognises the legacy of Jane Goodall at meeting in Kampala, Uganda
This week marked the latest meeting of the Albertine Apes Alliance, a gathering of some of the most influential conservationists, field researchers, and tourism leaders from across the Albertine Rift (the western arm of the Great Rift Valley). It was valuable to have so many high-level voices in the same room.
Jane Goodall’s work has shaped so many lives and careers in the region.
For many in the Sheraton Kampala Hotel conference room, it was a chance to share memories of working with Jane in Uganda. James Byamukama, Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute in Uganda reflected on Goodall’s legacy. He encouraged everyone to learn from her example: “everything we see, lets do there and then.” Dr Fred Nizeyimana, Gorilla Doctors, also spoke warmly of Jane Goodall. “I hosted her several times when we worked at Ngamba Island.” He also praised her simplicity and her commitment – how even after a full day of activities she would quietly pick up rubbish washed up on the shore of Lake Victoria.
Why this gathering mattered
There’s a huge amount of important conservation work happening in Uganda and central Africa but the projects rarely get the attention they deserve. The remote nature of their work is one part of that equation. Tourism depends on healthy primates and ecosystems; conservation, in turn, relies substantially on tourism revenue and the attention visitors bring. Everyone stands to benefit when these two tribes meet to compare notes and challenges.
With the tourism industry in the spotlight now, it was important to welcome influential stakeholders such as Juliana Kaggwa, CEO of Uganda Tourism Board, and Yogi Birigwa, Chair of Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), the industry’s umbrella body.
Why I was delighted to attend
Regular Diary of a Muzungu readers – and East Africa Travel Podcast listeners – will know that I first came to Uganda to volunteer in conservation. I now live on the edge of Kibale National Park and continue to offer pro bono support to a number of conservation initiatives, in addition to my work as a sustainable tourism trainer. It was motivating to hear progress made on the challenges many of us aired at the inaugural event in 2022, which I documented in The challenge of protecting the Great Apes and the Albertine Rift.
Notable good news from the field
A few pieces of uplifting news came out of the day:
- The Gorilla Friendly Pledge is improving visitor adherence to gorilla tracking rules (though more advocacy is still needed, according to Alice Mbayahi of International Gorilla Conservation Programme).
- Guest feedback is that chimp tracking at Kyambura Gorge has improved.
- In Kibale Forest, a group of around 100 chimps from the popular Kanyantale group is being re-habituated, which should in time reduce overcrowding. Dr Peter Apell of JGI Uganda added “It must happen sooner; we must stop the tourists overlapping.”
- Coordination between lion monitoring teams of Kyambura and Uganda Carnivore Programme in Queen Elizabeth National Park is improving data collection around big-cat areas.
- Mask-wearing around great apes introduced during the pandemic is now standard practice for all trackers, rangers and visitors in UWA managed protected areas. UWA provide masks free of charge (although it is not clear whether National Forestry Authority provide the same service to people tracking chimps in reserves).
- The census of mountain gorillas includes a census of the chimpanzee population for the first time.
The Albertine Apes Alliance (AAA) is an informal coalition of organisations and individuals working in the protected areas of the Albertine Rift. The inaugural meeting took place in 2022 at Volcanoes Safaris‘ Mount Gahinga Lodge, near Kisoro, the aim being to “strengthen dialogue and collaboration across the Albertine Rift” of Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo.
As someone who attended that first meeting and follows developments in conservation and tourism, it’s heartening to see progress. Activities involving AAA members have included:
- Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger training with the Jane Goodall Institute in great ape National Parks and Forest Reserves.
- Recommendations on responsible ecotourism guidelines and disease prevention at Kibale Forest, led by Conservation Through Public Health and supported by the Arcus Foundation.
- Installation of signposts on chimpanzee tracking protocols for visitors to Kibale Forest and Kyambura Gorge.
- An informal conversation among partners on gorilla conservation and ecotourism at Virunga Lodge, Rwanda.
Tourism perspectives and challenges
Madam Yogi Birigwa of UTA called for a “higher calling” from visitors – for tourists to leave Uganda with a commitment to advocate for the protection of mountain gorillas and other wildlife.
Jonathan Wright, Owner Wildplaces, pushed for stronger law enforcement to tackle poaching and the bushmeat trade, citing the “immense” numbers of snares and poacher camps in Murchison Falls National Park. “We need the government to invest 100 million in law enforcement; we need the courts to prosecute poachers. We must keep people out of the parks.”
Updates from the field – Kibale Forest, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area
Chimpanzees – Emily Otali, Country Director, The Kasiisi Project / Kibale Forest Schools’ Program (founded by Professor Richard Wrangham in 1987). Human disease – especially viruses – is one of the biggest threats to great apes. “To reduce that, you need to keep people out of the forest.” She emphasised the role of scholarships for local children “one of the most effective interventions.”
Gorillas and disease – Dr Fred Nizeyimana, Gorilla Doctors. Previously respiratory-related illnesses were a big concern, now vets see a big increase in intestinal issues such as worms and parasites, even in a breastfeeding baby gorilla. In the last five years, six gorillas have been lost to such related health conditions.
Gorillas and communities – Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Co-Founder, Conservation Through Public Health. Dr Gladys explained that “The most popular mountain gorilla groups are the most at risk since they are often found outside the national parks.” Through their Village Health Teams, CTPH provides simple solutions such as handwashing facilities and family planning to 50,000 people. “Behaviour change of the community works best when celebrated regularly.” Combined, these iniatitives can help protect the gorillas.
Read my review of Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka’s book Walking with Gorillas.
Gorilla and chimpanzee census – Jean-Paul Hirwa, International Gorilla Conservation Programme. Two teams of six rangers are currently sweeping the gorilla habitat of Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo, undertaking a census of gorillas which now includes chimpanzees. The census has indirect benefits too: helping to monitor poaching levels, the presence of snares and changes in elephant distribution.
Lions and predators – Volcanoes Safaris’ Kyambura Lion Monitoring Team and the Uganda Carnivore Programme. Bosco from Kyambura and Kenneth from UCP “work closely in the field.” They shared the realities: human–wildlife conflict is worsened by the high number of people living in and around Queen Elizabeth National Park and the availability of cheap agrochemicals that are used to poison hyenas and lions. Invasive plant species and the loss of grasses impact herbivores. The knock-on effect to the food chain is that it drives carnivores to kill livestock.
Invasive species in Queen Elizabeth National Park – Francis Kiwanuka, Head Guide Volcanoes Safaris. Francis urged for more funding to remove invasive plants. “Congress weed is even worse than Sicklebush.”
Volcanoes Safaris and JGI and the power to convene
Takeaway messages from the day
Praveen Moman Founder of Volcanoes Safaris stated “It’s essential that great ape ecotourism is sensitive and controlled.” He reminded the audience that Dian Fossey herself warned that “tourism would kill the gorillas” if not managed carefully.
Dr Glady’s plea to the tourism industry is for “tourists to visit the communities more.” When communities benefit directly from tourism, they are less likely to enter forests to set snares and spread disease.
Dr Peter Apell was “very positive about the people who convened for the day.”
Dr Jane Goodall’s message on Kyambura Ecotourism Projects
In 2021, the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda (JGI) and VSPT announced a long-term partnership to support the threatened chimpanzee population at Kyambura Gorge which builds on the work done by the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust around the Kyambura Gorge landscape.
Field observations always fire up my imagination and I left the meeting with a long list of voices I want to amplify through the podcast. My aim? To use the sounds of nature and conversations with a range of fascinating guests to inspire travel to Uganda and East Africa and promote the great work of“cool people doing awesome stuff to protect our planet.”
As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to comment or contact the Muzungu!
