Community-Based Tourism in Uganda

Community-Based Tourism in Uganda

Community-based tourism (CBT) refers to a variety of tourist-host interactive activities that generate economic and social benefits for the host communities. CBT enables rural communities to participate in tourism development to supplement their household incomes.
The formation of Community-based Organizations among host communities facilitates this achievement. Community-based tourism in Uganda primarily relies on the establishment of such organizations. In particular, a Community-based organization is an organization that aims at making desired improvements to a community’s social health, well-being, and overall functioning. Community organization occurs in geographically, psychosocially, culturally, spiritually, and digitally bounded communities. It involves community work, community building/development, community mobilization, and community empowerment.

Roles of Community-Based Organizations in brief

• Cultural conservation
• Sustaining local culture for future generations
• Cultural conservation
• Employment for locals
• Bridging gaps between tourism resource owners/managers and the local people
• Diversifying economic activity in a community
• Supporting the movement of good tourism

For those interested in community-based tourism in Uganda, Safari Vacations and Travel Services stands out as the ideal tour operator to contact. We specialize in crafting tailor-made packages and itineraries perfectly suited for individuals who actively seek to explore communities involved in conservation and tourism. Our expertise lies in creating bespoke packages and itineraries that cater specifically to individuals who are eager to explore communities actively participating in conservation and tourism development. In Uganda, there are several community-based organizations that you would like to visit on your journey in Africa. Below are some of them whose organization and benefits would be good to fix in the itinerary.

KIBALE ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT(KAFRED)

KAFRED  is located on the outskirts of Kibale National Park and was founded in Bigodi in 1992. Its purpose and objective are to protect the local environment while advancing health, education, and economic growth in the wider local community. John Tinka of Bigodi is the founder and the continuing Program Manager. The group’s emblem is the great blue turaco, a majestic bird found in the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary. The Organization’s emblem is a great blue turaco, which inhabits the Bigodi wetland, conserved by the community. KAFRED was formed with the vision of seeing communities live in harmony with nature. The mission was and is to advocate for the management and sustainable use of natural resources in and around Bigodi wetlands for the development of the Rwenzori region.

Achievements of KAFRED

KAFRED has two main achievements, and these are;

Poverty Reduction

KAFRED operates under the complete management of the community, with an elected committee representing the community chosen during the Annual General Meeting. Tourism activities, such as the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk, actively redirect revenues into community projects. These projects specifically enhance education, health, and sanitation. Moreover, the local community serves as the primary workforce, with exceptions made only in cases where specific skills are required. KAFRED allocates its net income to various community development projects, including those funded by donations from volunteers. By prioritizing local employment and utilizing locally sourced materials, KAFRED contributes to the overall development of the area. Furthermore, additional income-generating activities in the region, such as agriculture and employment opportunities in neighboring Kibale National Park, further enhance this holistic development.

Below is an outline of how KAFRED, through tourism, has changed the Bigodi community:

• Employment of 17 teachers, 8 guides, 3 cooks, 4 security guards, and 3 cleaners.
• Teachers and guides receive training and capacity building through KAFRED.
• The Women’s Groups are provided with space to sell handicrafts and peanut butter at the Wetlands visitor center.
• Local people have adapted to eating the above-mentioned foodstuffs, leading to improved nutrition.
• KAFRED began the construction and management of Bigodi Secondary School starting in 1993. The school now has some 350 children. Because of tourism revenue, parents pay about 50% less for fees compared to other private or community schools.
• KAFRED has funded a community safe water project. For instance, Community water kiosks have been set up to serve at least 300 people. This has reduced the cost of water prices from UGS 800 to UGS 200 per 20-liter can.
• Building a house for midwives so that they can stay at the local health unit and support mothers whenever they need maternity services. In the recent past, women had to hold it until office hours, or the family would have to hire a private car to Fort Portal town, 40 km away, on a bumpy road!

Biodiversity and Conservation

KAFRED’s main aim reads in part: “… and the conservation of natural resources, wetlands in particular”. Community development projects have been funded with income from tourism. Some of the ways through which KAFRED has improved Biodiversity and conservation are as follows;

• KAFRED guides visitors on swamp walks around and across the swamp, promoting adherence to designated trails. We actively encourage visitors to carry all their garbage back to the visitor’s center, where it is properly disposed of in bins. KAFRED does not provide catering services, and this limits the levels of pollution.
• KAFRED has collaborated with environmental bodies like NEMA to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment. For instance, about 40 participants, including members and representatives of homesteads neighboring the swamp, actively engaged in a participatory planning exercise to formulate bylaws for the management of the swamp. This process involved creating a list of dos and don’ts.
• The Bigodi Women’s Group, a member of UCOTA, engages in crafting and selling handmade products. Most of the materials and dyes used are natural, and this was an environmental issue. KAFRED has, through UCOTA, organised training workshops in sustainable harvesting methods.

BUHOMA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (BCDA)

The local community around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in South Western Uganda initiated and manages the Buhoma Community Development Association (BCDA), a community-based business enterprise. Established in 1993, its purpose is to empower residents to earn a sustainable livelihood while promoting the conservation of the unique ecosystem. Situated at the entrance of the park, BCDA plays a vital role in fostering community development and environmental conservation. One of the main reasons that led to the creation of BCDA was to position the local communities around the National Park to earn a living through methods that would not destroy the biodiversity in their living environment. Simultaneously, its objectives included enhancing the socio-economic income of the communities in Mukono parish by elevating education standards, improving healthcare, empowering women, and promoting conservation. This was achieved through the establishment of a sustainable resource base within our communities.

Achievements/Benefits of the Buhoma Community Development Association

BCDA has registered several successes which lie in conservation, social, and economic categories, and these include;

• The Association has worked hard to secure sustainable jobs for the community members. It has also empowered it in skills development to work as a guide among other aspects. There is a local tour company that trains guides from the Buhoma Community. This has enabled the locals to benefit directly from tourism. This has helped in the mobilization of the community to gain tourism revenue from those who conduct their gorilla tours in Uganda.
• BCDA has managed to set up projects that are beneficial to the whole community. The organization set up two lodges: Haven Lodge with two (2) impressively designed double / twin cottages and one (1) family cottage, all featuring en suite facilities. And Buhoma Community Rest Camp with six (6) en suite safari tents, three (3) self-contained cottages, two (2) non-self-contained twin bandas, and a six (6) bed dormitory, along with a campsite. Additionally, these lodges offer affordable rooms and provide highly-rated services. Moreover, the revenue generated from these lodges supports communal projects. These include the Buhoma Community High School, Buhoma Gravity Water Flow Scheme, and Buhoma Cooperative Savings and Credit Society. It also supports pineapple and vegetable growing projects.

Implications for tourists and local communities

This demonstrates how community-based tourism can thrive in Uganda and other regions grappling with the co-existence of wildlife and humans. In other words, it is an experience that one would cherish, considering a visit to a particular National Park. It not only provides a fulfilling experience for the tourist but also contributes to the continuous efforts of local communities in resource conservation. Consequently, the quality of life for these communities keeps improving due to the positive impact of tourism.

Conclusively, why not book a safari trip with a trusted and experienced tour operator to be part of this wonderful experience?

Contact us today for the best safari packages that will enable you to experience the best of Community-based tourism in Uganda.