Rubirizi communities thrive through conservation, sustainability

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Communities neighbouring protected areas, including Kalinzu Forest Reserve, the home to chimpanzees and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Rubirizi district, have recounted a number of benefits which they are enjoying after indulging in various conservation activities.

With support from the water and environment ministry under the Investment for Forest and Protected Area Conservation and Development project (IFPA-CD) sponsored by the World Bank, the people have planted trees, ventured into apiary and made low charcoal-consuming stoves, among other activities.

This has, to a large extent, prevented people from encroaching the protected areas in search of firewood, timber, herbs, meat from wild animals and equally empowered them to adopt sustainable income-generating practices.

Speaking to New Vision Online on May 25, 2025, at their offices in Rubirizi, Zinori Bikorwomuhangi, the chairperson of Ndangara and Nyakiyanja parishes Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) group, said they were freely given 615 acres adjacent to Kalinzu Forest Reserve and utilised it by planting trees, where they currently fetch firewood, timber medicine, and tap carbon dioxide to earn a living.

"Over the years, our livelihoods have greatly improved because of the money we solicit from the sale of the various products," Bikorwomuhangi said.

He further revealed that in the same trees, they have ably installed apiary projects where they have been able to harvest honey, add value. These initiatives, he said, have enabled them to construct permanent houses in their village.

"Ten years ago, most of us would live in grass-thatched houses, and this is no more. We have gone ahead to establish a school for our children after nurturing most of them, others as merely peasants," he said.

Yusufu Byabagambi, the Chairperson of Kyambura Farmers Co-operative Society Limited, recounted that long before an electric fence was erected along Queen Elizabeth National Park, animals would break into their gardens, destroy their crops, leaving them helpless year in year out.

He, however, testified that with the installation of the electric fence, they have been able to end the challenge of food insecurity, but also sell off other foods to boost the home income.

"We are now able to raise school fees for children, cater for the basic needs, and most of us have built residential houses," Byabagambi said.

Zinoli Bikorwomuhangi, the Chairperson Ndangara and Nyakiyanja parishes Tutungure CFM group, unveiling the benefits of conservation including improvement in their livelihoods. (Credit: Samuel Amanyire)

NFA, UWA speak out

National Forestry Association (NFA) South Western regional range manager, Charles Sabiiti, said with the support from the water ministry under IFPA-CD, they have been able to mobilise people into about 12 Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) groups that have been at the forefront in effecting conservation activities.

"Now we have over 500 baboons and over 380 bird species among other animals, and the number of tourists coming to our site has increased," Sabiiti said.

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Community conservation ranger of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Michael Murungi, said over the years, their long-time challenge had been human-wildlife conflicts, including encroachment cases and animals invading communities.

"We the support of the IFPA-CD, we have been able to increase the electric fence wire coverage," Michael said.