Bwindi census results bolster Uganda’s status as Africa’s primate capital

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Bwindi census results bolster Uganda’s status as Africa’s primate capital

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Uganda Tourism Board CEO Juliana Kagwa led British investors on a gorilla trekking excursion in Bwindi to highlight the nation's model of conservation-led economic growth and tourism investment.

Uganda Tourism Board CEO Juliana Kagwa led British investors on a gorilla trekking excursion in Bwindi to highlight the nation’s model of conservation-led economic growth and tourism investment.

BERLIN — The Uganda Tourism Board showcased new scientific data at ITB Berlin confirming a population of 426 chimpanzees in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, marking the first comprehensive census of the species in the area.

The findings, resulting from a collaboration between the Jane Goodall Institute and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, bolster the conservation profile of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is already famed for housing more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

Tourism officials said the census results strengthen Uganda’s position as a premier multi-primate destination and support its branding as the primate capital of Africa. While Bwindi is primarily known for gorilla trekking, the confirmed presence of a widely distributed chimpanzee population provides new opportunities for high-value ecotourism.

The verified figures provide scientific assurance to international trade partners that our wildlife resources are sustainably managed, the delegation told attendees at the global travel trade fair.

Beyond tourism, conservationists noted that a stable chimpanzee population indicates a healthy forest ecosystem. Chimpanzees are highly sensitive to habitat disturbance, making their presence a key indicator of climate resilience and biodiversity health in south-western Uganda.

Revenue generated from tourism services in the park continues to fund ranger patrols, ecological research and community engagement initiatives. The Uganda delegation invited international media and investors to explore the evolving conservation story as the country seeks to increase its competitiveness in the global green travel market.

In addition to Bwindi, Uganda maintains significant chimpanzee populations in Kibale National Park and other protected forest ecosystems.