By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
Kanungu ,December 2, 2023,
The Queen expressed her admiration for the natural beauty of the forest and the rich culture of the local communities. She emphasized the importance of sustainable income sources for reformed poachers and applauded the community volunteers for their efforts in conservation.
James Ruugi Kaberuka, the Kinkizi West MP, commended Dr. Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, the founder of CTPH, for her innovative idea of setting up a gorilla health center and laboratory. He acknowledged the challenges faced in Bwindi, especially concerning inadequate services, but expressed optimism for future improvements.
Dr. Gladys Kalema expressed her gratitude to the partners who have supported CTPH throughout its 20-year journey. She highlighted the organization’s expansion into Gorilla Conservation Coffee and their commitment to supporting guardians and reformed poachers.
Dickson Katana, UWA’s Southern Sector Warden, emphasized the crucial role played by various organizations in successful conservation efforts. He praised the laboratory’s contribution to timely administrative decisions and pondered on what Bwindi would be without CTPH.
Brig Col. Nahamya, representing the UPDF, urged the community to cooperate in conservation, particularly in light of Bwindi’s vulnerability, especially post-border closures.
Ezera Ndizeye, the District Community Development Officer, conveyed his appreciation for CTPH’s collaboration with local government and their commitment to fulfilling the signed MOU. He pledged continued cooperation in the future.
Moses Bashaija, a resident of Buhoma Town Council, commended CTPH for their diligent services in gorilla health, job creation, and community well-being over the past 20 years.
Muruhura Lawrence, a wildlife laboratory technician told this paper that at CTPH, they test faecal samples from gorillas in all 27 habituated groups. Activity is done on a monthly basis to estimate the parasitic load and if it is found high in Gorillas, they go ahead to collect faecal samples from human and livestock in areas surrounding the park for examination to rule out zoonotic infections that are shared between humans, livestock and gorillas.
Muruhura said they deworm the populations around the park to reduce on the parasitic load in the gorillas that may put the gorillas at risk of parasitic load.
The 20th anniversary of CTPH was an occasion filled with appreciation, gratitude, and hope for the future. The presence of the Queen of Buganda added an extra level of prestige and importance to the event. As CTPH continues to forge ahead in their mission of conservation and community well-being, their impact on Bwindi and its surroundings is widely recognized and appreciated and promotion of tourism in UgandaUganda.
