Mayooba Eco Foundation Launches “Plant for Primates” Initiative Near Bwindi to Advance Conservation and Community Livelihoods

Mayooba Eco Foundation officially launched the Plant for Primates Initiative at Mukono Church of Uganda in Buhoma, one of the key communities bordering Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a globally significant habitat for mountain gorillas and other primates.

The launch marked a major step forward in aligning environmental conservation with the improvement of local livelihoods through the promotion of fruit tree planting, bamboo value addition, creation of green jobs and sustainable tourism promotion.

The initiative is driven by the belief that communities living adjacent to protected areas must not only be included in conservation efforts but also benefit directly from them.

The event brought together a diverse mix of stakeholders including representatives from government bodies such as the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda Wildlife Authority, and Uganda Tourism Board, as well as conservation organizations like Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), the Bamboo Innovation Hub, and private partners like Kaynela Farms. Religious institutions, local leaders, and grassroots community members also turned up in strong numbers, demonstrating broad support for this transformative campaign.

During the ceremony, 240 fruit tree seedlings, including avocado, guava, mango, and jackfruit—along with 10 bamboo seedlings were planted.

Each tree was dedicated by a guest, symbolizing personal commitment to environmental stewardship.

Mr. Moses Bashija, Mayor of Buhoma Town Council and the event’s Chief Guest, planted a tree in memory of the late Venerebo Beshubeho, the first Anglican Christian leader in Buhoma, highlighting the deep connection between nature, faith, and heritage.

Reverend Rabane Timbisasa named his tree in reflection of his four years of spiritual service at Mukono COU. Mr. Gracious Twebaze from CTPH, and Kyasiimire Immaculate Shantel, who was crowned as the official Plant for Primates Ambassador, also took part in the symbolic activity.

Shantel’s new role will involve youth engagement, conservation awareness campaigns, and community mobilization around climate action and sustainable tourism.

The event had a practical livelihood component as well. With support from the Bamboo Innovation Hub, community members participated in a hands-on training session on bamboo value addition.

Participants were taught how to make eco-friendly products like travel mugs, utensils, and crafts. This initiative is designed to reduce reliance on forest resources while opening up new income-generating opportunities, especially for youth and women.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Isaac Ayebare, Team Lead at Mayooba Eco Foundation, emphasized the importance of integrating community welfare into conservation strategies.

“Conservation must serve both nature and people. Through the Plant for Primates Initiative, we are restoring degraded habitats, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and helping communities thrive through climate-smart agriculture and tourism,” he said.

The launch also introduced Mayooba’s long-term strategy to create a digital tracking system for all planted trees using the Plant for Primates Mobile App.

Village Coordinators will be trained and deployed to monitor tree growth, support follow-up care, and engage tourists who wish to participate in planting activities at homes, schools, and health centers. This tech-integrated approach ensures transparency, accountability, and sustainability.

Mayooba Eco Foundation invited individuals and organizations to support the initiative by sponsoring tree seedlings, volunteering for educational outreach, or partnering to scale bamboo training.

The Plant for Primates Initiative will soon expand to other high-biodiversity regions across Uganda, advancing Uganda’s contributions to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.