By Frank Kamuntu
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has launched the Mountain Gorilla Festival 2026, calling for stronger conservation partnerships that protect mountain gorillas while creating economic opportunities for communities living alongside wildlife.
The media launch was held at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala ahead of the four-day festival scheduled for November 19–22 in Kisoro District under the theme “Protecting Gorillas, Empowering Communities” and the tagline “Run. Explore. Conserve.”
UWA Executive Director Dr James Musinguzi said the festival would bring together conservation, tourism, sport and community development to strengthen public awareness and promote Uganda as a leading gorilla tourism destination.
“When we protect a gorilla, we protect more than a species; we protect an ecosystem, sustain livelihoods, preserve our natural heritage and secure opportunities for generations to come,” Musinguzi said.
He added that communities benefiting from conservation become its strongest protectors, emphasising the need to ensure that tourism generates meaningful opportunities for people living near Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
Musinguzi said mountain gorillas remained among Uganda’s most valuable natural assets, but warned that threats including habitat encroachment, human-wildlife conflict and disease required continued vigilance and collective action.
He called for stronger partnerships among UWA, local communities, conservation organisations and tourism operators to protect gorillas and their habitats through responsible tourism and effective conservation management.
The Executive Director also urged greater participation by young people, women and local entrepreneurs in tourism-related businesses, including guiding, hospitality, cultural tourism and other enterprises.
“When communities see the value of conservation in their daily lives, they become powerful advocates for protecting wildlife and natural habitats,” he said.
Musinguzi further called on the private sector, corporate institutions and development partners to support initiatives that link wildlife conservation to sustainable livelihoods and community development.
He revealed that UWA was considering partnerships with private investors to establish quality but affordable accommodation near national parks, alongside improved transport options to make domestic tourism more accessible to Ugandan families.
The festival will feature conservation awareness activities, cultural experiences, sporting events and opportunities to promote locally produced goods, including coffee grown in the highlands around Bwindi.
Organisers also plan to launch the Gorilla Family application and introduce Gorilla Guardian, alongside gorilla-themed merchandise intended to promote Uganda’s conservation identity and tourism attractions.
Commissioner for Tourism and Business Development Dorcus Rukundo Twesigomwe said the festival would celebrate Uganda’s conservation achievements while highlighting the contribution of mountain gorillas to community livelihoods.
She said the event is intended to become an annual festival rotating across the Kigezi region, with Kisoro hosting the inaugural edition, Kabale expected to host the following year and Kanungu or Kihihi considered for subsequent editions.
Singer Ykee Benda, who recently visited the region as part of a tourism promotion initiative, described encountering a silverback gorilla in Mgahinga as one of the most remarkable experiences of his life. He encouraged Ugandans to explore the country’s natural attractions, including Kisoro’s mountainous landscapes and Lake Bunyonyi.
Commissioner Dorcus urged the media to go beyond reporting the festival as an event and tell the stories of gorillas, conservationists, local communities and young people whose futures are connected to wildlife.
“The festival’s success would ultimately be measured not only by attendance but also by the awareness created, partnerships established and lasting conservation impact achieved,” Commissioner Dorcus noted.
The festival is expected to bring together Ugandans and international visitors to celebrate mountain gorilla conservation while promoting tourism and economic opportunities for communities in the Kigezi region.
