JGI UGANDA FIELD PROGRAMMES

Summary of JGI Achievements 2005-2008:

• Improved the overall revenue generated by the ecotourism sites from an average of $5000 per annum under the previous management by the Uganda Forest Department and later by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) to approximately $190,000 in the first year of operation.
• Improved visitor experience, through improved bookings and reservations, quality of guiding, accommodation facilities, and Increasing the visitor chimpanzee viewing success rate from 65% to 93%.
• Facilitated NFA in forest protection of Budongo and Bugoma CFRs. Twenty two (22) forest patrol rangers have been recruited, trained in Ranger Based Monitoring, equipped (uniforms, GPS) and deployed to protect the two CFRs
• Developed partnerships and provided support to local communities including:

1. Provided support equivalent to 3,963,500 USHs to 184 community members affiliated to two (2) CFM groups through the Good Neighbors Award.
2. Provided a total of US$ 9,540 dollars to 318 households for sustainable alternative livelihood options through the Village Enterprise Fund /BEDP partnership.
3. Trained ten (10) community farmers in vegetable growing and marketing and provided limited financial and material support for start-up
4. Trained Eighty (80) community members in apiary techniques, value addition and marketing of honey. Additionally, honey harvesting and processing equipment distributed to two CFM groups

• Facilitated environmental education visits by 1,852 students from eleven (11) schools neighboring Budongo CFR to the Busingiro Environmental Education Centre.

• Facilitated environmental education visits by 2,878 students from twenty (20) schools neighboring Kalinzu/Kasyoha-Kitomi CFRs to the Kalinzu Environmental Education Centre.

Today the project is being managed by a private operator (Great Lakes Safaris Ltd.) and still continues to provide mush needed support to NFA for the management of Budongo and other critical forest habitats in Uganda.