Community members before embarking on a study tour to Kabarole, Kases and Kamwenge Districts. Photo by J Serugo.
Demonstration of improved traditional beehive.
June & July Drama player donning a chimp mask.
June & July Some participants in the leaders seminar at Kasambya.
Newly cleared area planted with maize. The remaining part is habitat for Chimpanzee, but for how long. Photo by J Serugo.
Black and white colobus monkeys basking in early morning sun.
Specifically to raise awareness of local leaders, communities and schools on the importance and global status of the chimpanzees and the measures required to protect them. Information to be disseminated through meetings, seminars, drama and music, educational materials, and radio programmes. Also to include a tour of some community members to sites with developed and successful community conservation initiatives.
The project targets political leaders and senior Civil Servants at District and subcounty levels because of their enormous influence on the local population in its interface with natural resources in an effort alleviate rural poverty.
The second category is of the local communities who are mainly subsistence farmers. The project through seminars, radio programmes. Drama and educational materials reaches a wider audience with a variety of conservation messages.
The project also targets school going youths as they form a large percentage of the population.
Project Update: May 2008 1) On 6th of May, I, the Chairman of DAP held a meeting with the Kibaale District Technical Planning Committee (KDTPC) of 20 members.He introduced the concept of conservation and protection natural resources with particular emphasis on Chimpanzees. The concept was welcomed and they promised to include it in their 5- year development plan and forward it to the Districct Council for approval.
2) On the 23rd of May as a follow up to the above activity, I held a seminar for 32 District Councilors and 22 top civil servants.The purpose of the seminar was to introduce to the councilors the concept of conservation and eco-tourism development not only based on the chimpanzees but also on the magnificent natural attraction available in the entire district.
As a sign of support, they referred the matter to the KDTPC to work with the Chairman of DAP to draw a plan for assessment of possible sites. Six councilors invited the Chairman of DAP to their sub counties to sensitize their communities about the importance of chimpanzees in their areas. The councilors also reported the presence of other historical and archeological sites of interest in their areas which can be developed for eco-tourism.
3) From 16th – 18th May, a group of land owners from Kasambya sub county on whose land are several families of chimpanzees were taken on study tour to Fortportal, Kamwenge, Kasese Districts. The purpose of the tour was to enable community members have hands-on interaction with similar communities in those districts who are conserving chimpanzees while benefiting from eco tourism and other sustainable activities other than agriculture.
Two striking results of the tour:
a) The group immediately agreed to form an association and mobilize their colleagues to protect the chimpanzees on their land. The area was immediately named the Kayirabwa Community Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The association was named Kayirabwa Community Chimpanzee Sanctuary Association,(KCCSA);
b) The group also learnt a lot on sustainable activities and agreed to a beekeeping project and a tree planting nursery. Other activities will include handicrafts the women’s groups and mobilization of other land owners to join the association;
DAP has planned a planned a large meeting for all land owners and other stakeholders for the 28th June 2008.
4) DAP has also organized a 14-man/woman drama group. Its name is Dap Vision Eco-Dramactors Group. Currently they are undergoing training and are being equipped. They will make their first drama presentation on 28th June 2008.
Project Update: June to July 2008 Main Activities:
1. Equipping DAP Vision Eco-Dramactors, training and play writing;
2. Preparation for Stakeholders’ meetings of KCCSA;
3. Stakeholders meetings:
4. Two follow up meetings have been held in the community with the interim Executive meeting of KCCSA continuing to register new members;
5. The Chairman DAP has drafted a constitution for KCCSA which is currently under review by the community group for endorsement and eventual registration with the Resident District Commissioner.
Upcoming activities:
1. Arrangements have been made for DAP Chairman to meet organized communities with chimps in the remaining six sub-counties in the district during the month of August;
2. Two Radio programmes: one with members of KCCSA and the second with District officials;
3. Follow up meeting with the District Technical Planning Committee (DTPC) on their plan for 2008/09 Financial Year;
4. One day study tour for KCCSA to Kyabigambire Community Chimpanzee Project in Hoima District.
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.
Final Report Read about the activities undertaken and findings of this project in the final report below.
