Hospitality sector rallies behind gorilla conservation
CTPH founder and chief executive officer Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka said the partnership will help protect the endangered mountain gorillas while improving the lives of neighbouring communities.
Some of the participants who attended the signing of the conservation agreement between Sheraton and CTPH. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)
Gorilla conservation and protection has received a major boost from the private sector following a new partnership signed between Sheraton Hotel and the Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) on Friday.
CTPH advocates for a one-health approach and cordial coexistence between humans and wildlife
The partnership will see Sheraton contribute at least 30% of the proceeds acquired from the sale of gorilla mascots named Zongo, derived from a popular gorilla family (Oruzogo) in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in Uganda's southwest.
Jean-Philippe Bittencourt, the hotel's general manager, said protecting mountain gorillas requires ensuring that surrounding communities share in tourism's economic benefits.
The mascots will be sold to tourists who access Sheraton Hotel.
CTPH founder and chief executive officer Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka said the partnership will help protect the endangered mountain gorillas while improving the lives of neighbouring communities.
"Through Zongo, people will be able to take home a gorilla mascot, connect emotionally with the mountain gorillas of Uganda and keep wanting to support them," she said.
The proceeds geared towards CTPH will be used to improve the health of people, gorillas and other wildlife around the Bwindi-Mgahinga conservation area.
CTPH, which Kalema founded 23 years ago, works through an integrated approach of improving community health through village health and conservation teams, supporting coffee farmers bordering the park with better market prices, and providing fast-growing seedlings to reduce forest encroachment.
Sheraton general manager Jean-Philippe Bittencourt (left) and Gladys Kalema Zikusoka after signing the conservation agreement on Friday. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)
The integrated approach saw over 200,000 trees planted last year alone.
The gentle giants remain Uganda's premium tourism product, generating sh110 billion in the last financial year (2025/26).
Bashir Hangi, the spokesperson for Uganda Wildlife Authority earlier stated that a total of 49,938 tourists (both local and international) visited Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks in 2024/2025.
John Makombo, the commissioner for biodiversity management at UWA, said gorilla tourism generated over sh109.8 billion in 2022/23, sh86 billion in 2023/24, and sh93 billion in 2024/25.
Ultimately, the overall tourism earnings hit a record sh5.83 trillion as the sector surpassed pre-pandemic arrival levels, as indicated in the tourism development programme performance report for the financial year 2025/26.
The partnership between Sheraton and CTPH emphasises that tourism remains one of Uganda's economic pillars, with partnerships like this latest one demonstrating how hospitality businesses can create meaningful connections between guests and the environment while supporting conservation
The agreement comes amid recognition that the survival of mountain gorillas depends not only on protecting their habitat, but also on addressing poverty and diseases among neighbouring communities.