Tororo Rock is destined to be added onto the list of National Heritage Sites in Uganda; including Mount Rwenzori National Park, Kasubi Tombs, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Tom Butime, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities revealed this during celebrations to mark World Wildlife Day at King George Stadium in Tororo municipality, on March 3, 2023.

“The rate at which wildlife is losing its habitat in Uganda is alarming. Forests are being cut down for timber and fuel energy. Property developers and farmers are reclaiming swamps and destroying our environment. Also, poachers are becoming hard to fight,” Butime noted.

However, he welcomed the news that Herbert Byaruhanga, a seasoned birder had spotted a new species of birds called Warbler, a discovery that brings the total number of bird species logged in Uganda to 1211.

“Tourists treasure Uganda’s natural diversity. Therefore, Ugandans need to be informed that butterflies can be reared for tourists. For instance, Ugandans are just discovering that insects are a tourist attraction, but it is internationally a big business. We need to develop more tourist products in Tororo to create jobs for the youth and improve livelihoods in general,” Butime said.

Other officials reiterated their commitment to enhance the protection of iconic species that are suffering from multiple threats.

Dr Emmanuel Obbo, who serves as Archbishop of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Tororo, blamed Uganda’s wildlife woes on greed, corruption, and ignorance.

“The challenges in the people’s livelihood are interconnected. The landslides recurring in Bududa, floods in Mount Rwenzori, droughts crippling Karamoja, and the fast-changing rainfall patterns are exacerbated by corruption. For instance, forests are illegally being cut while ministers and other political leaders who have the power to stop the vice, look on,” Obbo said.

Lilly Ajarova, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) CEO said Tororo Rock will, henceforth, be included on Uganda’s an annual calendar day to be celebrated. It falls in the same area as the Imbalu (Bugisu cultural circumcision rite) that is held every alternating year.

“We will provide literature about Tororo Rock and tell the world about the thrilling experience one encounters on its peak. If, on such a day (Day of the Tororo Rock) the different communities surrounding it showcased their food varieties, dress code, music, dance and drama, we would have several things worth a tourist’s visit,” Ajarova said.

Tororo is home to the Japadhola, Iteso, Banyole, Samia and Somalis. Through intermarriages, they speak Kiswahili and other languages fluently.

Paul Sande Emolot, the leader of the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) called upon his subjects to conserve nature for future generations.

“Dinosaurs were killed and became extinct. If elephants continue to be shot down the way they are now, there will be none left. The same thing will happen to reptiles and birds, which are losing their habitat at an alarming rate. Let us spare the swamps and forests so as to stabilise the climate change,” he said.

Basil Ajar, the tourism ministry commissioner said the Government will invest in innovative community-based conservation models to halt further loss of charismatic species like giant mammals, carnivores, birds, and reptiles.

“We recognise the intrinsic value of wildlife, the economic and the social benefits it provides, hence our determination to protect this resource from harm. Uganda has enacted sweeping legislations while intensifying collaboration with key stakeholders to strengthen the protection of wildlife species that are a key source of tourism revenues and can sustain our ecosystem,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Government is also thinking about the need for a cable car to replace the 45-minute hike that physically challenges a certain category of tourists. Kenneth Orono, the Tororo municipality mayor, says when this happens, everyone will benefit.

“Tororo’s proximity to Kampala, Arua and Kenya will be made cheaper when the train services resume and improve. In the past, Tororo depended on cotton and pyrethrum. Today residents plant groundnuts, and beans and have livestock,” he said.