BERLIN — The Uganda Tourism Board is highlighting the country’s wildlife conservation successes, including the recovery of its white rhino population and the growth of primate species, during the ITB Berlin convention.
The delegation, led by the national tourism board, arrived in Germany on March 1 to showcase how tourism revenue directly funds biodiversity.
Once extinct in the wild in Uganda, the white rhino has returned through breeding programs and strengthened protection. Uganda is also home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and a significant chimpanzee population in Kibale National Park.
Juliana Kagwa, chief executive of the Uganda Tourism Board, said the recovery of the white rhino and the growth of the mountain gorilla population show that responsible tourism is a powerful force for community transformation.
The country uses an integrated model where revenue from park fees and trekking permits is reinvested into habitat restoration and anti-poaching operations. A portion of this income is shared with local communities through livelihood programs to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Musinguzi James, executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, said tourism provides critical funding for ranger deployment and habitat management. He noted that the integrated approach ensures wildlife protection and local livelihoods remain connected.
Lyazi Vivian, commissioner of tourism at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, said the government’s strategy is anchored in sustainability. Vivian noted that policies prioritize climate resilience and community benefit-sharing to align development with biodiversity protection.
The Uganda Tourism Board, a statutory organization established in 1994, is mandated to market the country and promote quality assurance in tourist facilities.
