Project Update: August to October 2008

Major activities:

• Two meetings have been held with the members of Kayirabwa Community Chimpanzee Sanctuary Association to discuss and ratify the Association’s Constitution. By end of September more than 100 members had been registered representing more than 60% of all the households in the area. The constitution was also approved by the local leader who also signed it as witnesses. The next step is to receive approval of the District Resident Commissioner who will register the association as a Community based organization (CBO);

• The Chairman of DAP participated in the UN-sponsored Africa Carbon Forum held in Dakar, Senegal from 3rd to 5th September 2008. DAP is writing proposals for the possibility of the Sanctuary and other nearby privately owned and government forest reserves benefiting from Carbon Credits in REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation);

• Two Radio programmes were recorded on-site as the report was invited to the area to cover the meetings;

• One Wildlife Club was formed at St. Joseph Kasambya Secondary School with 40 students. The school is at the edge of the sanctuary;

• Three meetings were held with local leaders in 3 sub-counties out of the six targeted. A total of 57 councilors, elders and opinion leaders were sensitized about the importance of protecting forests and the global conservation status of chimpanzees;

• One member of DAP was trained in beekeeping skills. He will assist members of KCCSA in their endeavours with beekeeping as a new sustainable activity;

• DAP Chairman was invited to the launch of the WWF’s Conservation of Biodiversity in Albertine Rift Forests of Uganda Project. DAP’s activities will be enhanced by this project as it covers the entire region including the district where we have mandate to operate;

• DAP Chairman participated in the Regional CARE International workshop whose main theme was: Vermin and Problem Animal Management in Uganda and its Implications for Community Livelihoods. Chimpanzees also raid crops and may harm human beings and these are controversial issues in many areas.

Upcoming activities:

• Follow up meeting with the District Technical Planning Committee (DTPC) on their plan for 2008/09 Financial Year;

• Meeting the Resident District Commissioner for registration of KCCSA as a Community Based organization;

• Final Radio programme with members of KCCSA who will travel to the studios;

• Launching KCCSA;

• Coordination with new projects and programmes to create synergies;

• Final report to be made by end of November 2008.