The Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust (BMCT) has praised the Nkuringo Bwindi Apiculture Foundation Association for achieving a 100 percent success rate in its revolving heifer project.
BMCT attributed the association’s achievement to strong leadership, member dedication and effective project implementation, which has boosted household incomes while strengthening conservation efforts in communities surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Founded on November 4, 2022, with 20 members, the association has grown to 35 members, including 30 men, five women, four youths and four persons with disabilities. The group focuses on improving livelihoods through beekeeping while promoting conservation of the southern sector of the national park.
Under BMCT’s conservation programme, the association initially received four heifers. Through the revolving livestock initiative, the herd has since doubled to eight cows. Members also pooled resources to purchase 10 sheep, which were distributed to beneficiaries already involved in the cattle project.
Speaking during a ceremony held at Kikomo Cell in Murore Ward, Nkuringo Town Council, Apollo Kugonza commended the group for its achievements, describing it as an exemplary conservation association.
"I want to encourage other community groups to learn from the association’s model of integrating environmental conservation with income-generating activities," Kugonza said.
BMCT Kisoro Programmes Officer Clare Kahunzire pledged continued support, noting that members had demonstrated integrity and commitment in managing the revolving livestock programme.
She advised beneficiaries to properly care for the cows and sheep under a zero-grazing system, highlighting benefits such as increased milk production, improved manure supply, environmental protection and better household incomes.
Representing the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Acting Nkuringo Sub-county Community Education Assistant Boaz Atwebembere applauded the group’s innovative use of beekeeping as a sustainable livelihood linked to the national park.
He noted that bees collect nectar from within the park, producing honey that provides members with a steady source of income, while also supporting conservation efforts.
Atwebembere further appreciated BMCT for supporting community conservation initiatives through alternative livelihood programmes aimed at curbing illegal activities such as poaching and encroachment.
Association chairperson Moses Barugahare reaffirmed that conservation remains central to the group’s mission. He urged residents to avoid unlawful activities in the national park and revealed that the association has established community woodlots to reduce dependence on protected forest resources.
The success of the Nkuringo group highlights the growing impact of community-based conservation initiatives in Uganda, where livelihood projects are increasingly being used to support environmental protection while improving household incomes in wildlife-adjacent communities.
