Our vision
A thriving Bwindi.
A landscape where mountain gorillas, biodiversity and frontline communities coexist sustainably.
Home
Rooted here. Working together.
Conservation with community at its heart.
Bwindi Gorilla Frontiers Initiative brings people, environmental health and mountain gorilla conservation together in the landscape we share.
Who we are
A local commitment
to a shared landscape.
We are a community-based organization in Kisoro District, southwestern Uganda. Our focus is the communities beside the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, particularly Rushaga and Nkuringo.
Our approach starts with a simple connection: the long-term protection of mountain gorillas is tied to the wellbeing, knowledge and opportunities of the people who live alongside them.
We seek practical solutions that communities can participate in, shape and sustain.
Our mission
Empower people.
Protect our shared home.
Conserve mountain gorillas and their habitats through inclusive conservation, environmental education, sustainable livelihoods, health and sanitation awareness, and collaborative action.
The people behind BGFI
Who carries this work.
Community leadership in Uganda, supported by technical advisors based in Germany.
Leadership
Thursday Nicholas
Director
Thursday is a Community Conservation Ranger with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and a Director of BGFI. His work connects conservation education, community engagement and human–wildlife conflict resolution with the wellbeing of the communities around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Atuheire Medard Beteise
Community Development & Conservation Practitioner
Medard is a community development and conservation practitioner with training in financial management. He has worked with communities around Bwindi through the Nkuringo Conservation and Development Foundation, the Gorilla Trust and Conservation Foundation and local associations, linking conservation with livelihoods, education and accountable project delivery.
Kemigisha Beatrice
Secretary
Beatrice is BGFI’s Secretary and one of the organization’s public contacts.
Technical advisors in Germany
Rick Royston
Technical Advisor, Germany
Richard coordinates the establishment of the German support association, the legal and governance arrangements, and BGFI’s donor-facing materials. He brings many years of hands-on conservation experience from Biosphere Expeditions projects in Namibia, Kenya, Brazil and the Maldives — working alongside field teams on wildlife monitoring, habitat management and community engagement. He advises on international fundraising, partnership development and project design, and is BGFI’s point of contact for partners in Europe.
LinkedInTim Seiffert
Technical Advisor, Germany
Tim is a Partner Solutions Engineer at Cloudflare. He supports BGFI’s website, digital infrastructure and technical development.
LinkedInLocal ownership is the foundation.
Our proposed work is built around local participation: Village Health Teams, schools, teachers, community leaders and village environment committees. These are the people and structures that can keep knowledge and practical systems alive beyond a project’s funding period.
BGFI’s role is to bring people together, coordinate activities, manage implementation and share learning. We seek collaboration with conservation and health authorities, local government and partners who share that commitment.
Meet us through a conversation.
Thursday Nicholas and Kemigisha Beatrice are the public contacts for BGFI. Get in touch to learn more about the organization, discuss the work or explore a partnership.
Contact BGFIA shared responsibility
The future of Bwindi
is something we build together.
Bring your knowledge, partnership or support to community-led conservation.
Partner with us