King Oyo tracks gorillas with call to conservation, tourism promotion

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Two years after Lilly Ajarova, the former chief executive officer of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), descended the Rwenzori mountains, Rukirabasaija Omukama Oyo Kabamba Iguru, the King of Toro, followed suit, conquering Margherita Peak in August 2022.

The king's hiking expedition, which began on July 28, 2022, aimed to emphasise the importance of environmental conservation, climate action, and inclusive growth as central to Uganda's sustainable development journey.

King Oyo and members of Tooro royal family during their gorilla tracking expedition in Bwindi national park on Saturday.

Having taken on the mystical challenge of summiting Uganda’s highest point on 3 August 2022, King Oyo then ticked off another item on his bucket list – gorilla tracking.

The monarch, accompanied by ten members of the Royal Family, tracked the Binyindo gorilla family in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on Saturday.

This tour forms part of Oyo's deliberate efforts to promote sustainable tourism in Uganda, with a strong focus on conservation.

L-R; Saidi Katungi the UWA ranger guide, Ron Kawamala the UTB deputy board chairperson, King Oyo, Jonathan Baguma the principal private secretary to the king and Stephen Masaba the UWA senior manager for tourism development during the gorilla tracking expedition on Saturday.

"We are very pleased with what we saw today, especially the biodiversity and how the gorillas are organised in their family setting. We shall forever cherish this moment and never forget it," the King expressed. He urged all Ugandans to cultivate the curiosity to explore the treasures within their own country.

"What we have here is truly spectacular, and you cannot find it anywhere else in the world," the King added. Emphasising the importance of conservation, Oyo stated, "Conservation is not just about awareness but also about humans recognising what is enough for us. As a human race, we are too greedy and encroach on national parks, which exerts a lot of pressure on wildlife."

However, he acknowledged that apart from greed, some Ugandans encroach on wildlife habitats out of ignorance about the importance of conserving biodiversity.

King Oyo (left) receiving a certificate of gorilla tracking from Dr James Musinguzi the UWA executive director at Buhoma sector, Bwindi national park.

"Therefore, if we promote local tourism where Ugandans are able to explore what is in their backyard, we will have helped to cure that spirit of ignorance," the King observed.

"Tourism not only brings economic prosperity but also plays a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of preserving our natural heritage. I believe that through responsible tourism, we can inspire visitors to become active participants in conservation efforts and sustainable practices," he added.

Dr James Musinguzi, the executive director of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), described the visit as historic and a privilege for the tourism industry to host the King for a gorilla tracking expedition.

"The King visited Queen Elizabeth National Park during this year’s Easter weekend before coming to Bwindi. This exhibits his passion and resilience for conservation and tourism promotion. We have agreed to form a strong partnership between UWA and Tooro Kingdom for tourism development and promotion, especially within our protected areas," Musinguzi revealed.

About Bwindi

Located in south-western Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over 54% of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world.

Some of the UWA staff having a photo moment with King Oyo at Buhoma information centre, Bwindi national park on Saturday.

It is one of the most biologically diverse forests in Africa, with an altitude range between 1,160 and 2,607 metres above sea level. Known as the "home of gentle giants," the park is a true rainforest, spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys forming the eastern edge of the Albertine Rift Valley.

The forest, which covers over 32,000 hectares, is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, boasting more than 160 tree species, 120 species of mammals, 357 bird species, 220 species of butterflies, and several reptiles. Due to its diverse features and ecological significance, the national park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tourism numbers

Bashir Hangi, the UWA public relations officer, revealed that Uganda's premier tourism product – gorilla tracking – attracted 43,364 tourists in 2024, surpassing the 41,412 visitors in 2023.

"The numbers have been on an upward trajectory, increasing from 9,829 in 2020 to 15,736 in 2021 and 32,628 in 2022," he noted.

In 2024, a total of 41,468 gorilla permits were sold, up from 38,836 in 2023, exceeding the pre-pandemic 2019 level of 39,627 permits sold.

Doreen Katusiime, the tourism ministry permanent secretary, earlier stated that international tourist arrivals in 2024 saw a 7.7% increase, reaching 1.37 million visitors.

While releasing the tourism abstract earlier this month, Katusiime noted that domestic tourism remained robust, with nearly 1 million visits to national parks, Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), and cultural sites.

"The overall visitor numbers to national parks grew by 12.6% in 2024, rising from 387,914 in 2023 to 436,767," she stated.

Dr Simplicious Gessa, the public relations manager for Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), stated that tourism earnings rose by 26% to $1.28 billion, driven by longer stays (8.7 nights) and increased spending.

"Hotel occupancy averaged 53.2%, and overall, the tourism industry contributed 6.6% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supported over 803,000 jobs," Gessa stated.