Conservation begins with community. Southern Bwindi, Uganda
BWINDIGorilla Frontiers Initiative
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One landscape. Connected solutions.

People and wildlife flourish together.

The challenges at the forest boundary are connected. Our response brings community health, cleaner environments, education and shared learning into one practical approach.

Our focus in southwestern Uganda Bwindi is in southwestern Uganda. BGFI focuses on the Rushaga and Nkuringo areas along the southern edge of the national park. This is a regional locator, not a village boundary map.UgandaEAST AFRICASouthern BwindiRushaga & NkuringoN
Regional locator. Country outline: Natural Earth, public domain.

Where we focus

At the southern
edge of Bwindi.

Our proposed work connects frontline villages around Rushaga and Nkuringo, in Kisoro District. It is here, where homes and gardens meet the forest, that local participation can make a lasting difference.

We start with the people and structures already rooted in this landscape: communities, schools, health teams and local leaders.

01

Community health

Healthier communities

Everyday health is part of conservation. Better hygiene, safe water and local health education help reduce risks for people and wildlife.

  • Train and equip Village Health Teams.
  • Share practical hygiene, sanitation and safe-water knowledge.
  • Strengthen early reporting and referral to health facilities.
02

Waste management

Cleaner environments

Practical, locally managed systems keep waste away from homes, gardens and the forest boundary.

  • Install secure bins and create waste-sorting hubs.
  • Establish village composting sites and household separation.
  • Equip waste handlers and build connections with recyclers.
03

Education & conservation

Opportunity through education

Support children from households affected by human–wildlife conflict, and help the next generation take part in conservation.

  • Provide education-related support to verified children.
  • Support school materials, uniforms and learning needs.
  • Strengthen school conservation clubs with teachers.
A BGFI team member handing exercise books to schoolchildren gathered outside a school building.
Handing out exercise books to schoolchildren. · © BGFI · Image details
04

Monitoring & collaboration

Learning together

Connect community knowledge with health and conservation expertise, so concerns can be reported and progress understood.

  • Provide field health and surveillance kits.
  • Conduct joint health and environmental audits.
  • Assess the baseline, review progress and share lessons.

The park–community connection

A shared boundary.
A shared responsibility.

Unsafe water, poor sanitation and unmanaged waste can create health risks for people and wildlife. Crop losses and other human–wildlife conflict can also put pressure on family livelihoods and children’s education.

By working on these issues together, we aim to strengthen community resilience and reduce risks at the forest’s edge. The figures above are targets for our proposed 24-month programme.

Explore the programme

A shared responsibility

The future of Bwindi
is something we build together.

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