(Posted 12th February 2026)
The Albertine Apes Alliance recognises the legacy of Jane Goodall at meeting
in Kampala, Uganda
https://www.muzungubloguganda.com/conservation/jane-goodall-institute-volcanoes-
safaris-recognise-jane-goodall-legacy-albertine-apes-alliance/
The Albertine Apes Alliance is a gathering of some of the most influential
conservationists, field researchers, and tourism leaders from across the Albertine
Rift (the western arm of the Great Rift Valley). It was valuable to have so many high-
level voices in the same room.
Jane Goodall's work has shaped so many lives and careers in the region.
For many in the Sheraton Kampala Hotel conference room, it was a chance to share
memories of working with Jane in Uganda. James Byamukama, Executive Director
of the Jane Goodall Institute in Uganda reflected on Goodall’s legacy. He
encouraged everyone to learn from her example: “everything we see, lets do there
and then.” Dr Fred Nizeyimana, Gorilla Doctors, also spoke warmly of Jane Goodall.
“I hosted her several times when we worked at Ngamba Island.” He also praised her
simplicity and her commitment – how even after a full day of activities she would
quietly pick up rubbish washed up on the shore of Lake Victoria.
Why this gathering mattered
There’s a huge amount of important conservation work happening in Uganda and
central Africa but the projects rarely get the attention they deserve. The remote
nature of their work is one part of that equation. Tourism depends on healthy
primates and ecosystems; conservation, in turn, relies substantially on tourism
revenue and the attention visitors bring. Everyone stands to benefit when these two
tribes meet to compare notes and challenges.
With the tourism industry in the spotlight now, it was important to welcome influential
stakeholders such as Juliana Kaggwa, CEO of Uganda Tourism Board, and Yogi
Birigwa, Chair of Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), the industry’s umbrella body.
Why I was delighted to attend
Regular Diary of a Muzungu readers – and East Africa Travel Podcast listeners – will
know that I first came to Uganda to volunteer in conservation. I now live on the edge
of Kibale National Park and continue to offer pro bono support to a number of
conservation initiatives, in addition to my work as a sustainable tourism trainer. It was
motivating to hear progress made on the challenges many of us aired at the
inaugural event in 2022, which I documented in The challenge of protecting the
Great Apes and the Albertine Rift.
Notable good news from the field
A few pieces of uplifting news came out of the day:
– The Gorilla Friendly Pledge is improving visitor adherence to gorilla tracking
rules (though more advocacy is still needed, according to Alice Mbayahi of
International Gorilla Conservation Programme).
– Guest feedback is that chimp tracking at Kyambura Gorge has improved.
– In Kibale Forest, a group of around 100 chimps from the popular Kanyantale
group is being re-habituated, which should in time reduce overcrowding. Dr
Peter Apell of JGI Uganda added “It must happen sooner; we must stop the
tourists overlapping.”
– Coordination between lion monitoring teams of Kyambura and Uganda
Carnivore Programme in Queen Elizabeth National Park is improving data
collection around big-cat areas.
– Mask-wearing around great apes introduced during the pandemic is now
standard practice for all trackers, rangers and visitors in UWA managed
protected areas. UWA provide masks free of charge (although it is not clear
whether National Forestry Authority provide the same service to people
tracking chimps in reserves).
– The census of mountain gorillas includes a census of the chimpanzee
population for the first time.
Who are the Albertine Apes Alliance?
The Albertine Apes Alliance (AAA) is an informal coalition of organisations and
individuals working in the protected areas of the Albertine Rift. The inaugural
meeting took place in 2022 at Volcanoes Safaris' Mount Gahinga Lodge, near
Kisoro, the aim being to “strengthen dialogue and collaboration across the Albertine
Rift” of Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo.
As someone who attended that first meeting and follows developments in
conservation and tourism, it’s heartening to see progress. Activities involving AAA
members have included:
– Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger training with the Jane Goodall Institute in
great ape National Parks and Forest Reserves.
= Recommendations on responsible ecotourism guidelines and disease
prevention at Kibale Forest, led by Conservation Through Public Health and
supported by the Arcus Foundation.
– Installation of signposts on chimpanzee tracking protocols for visitors to Kibale
Forest and Kyambura Gorge.
– An informal conversation among partners on gorilla conservation and
ecotourism at Virunga Lodge, Rwanda.
Tourism perspectives and challenges
Madam Yogi Birigwa of UTA called for a “higher calling” from visitors – for tourists to
leave Uganda with a commitment to advocate for the protection of mountain gorillas
and other wildlife.
Jonathan Wright, Owner Wildplaces, pushed for stronger law enforcement to tackle
poaching and the bushmeat trade, citing the “immense” numbers of snares and
poacher camps in Murchison Falls National Park. “We need the government to invest
100 million in law enforcement; we need the courts to prosecute poachers. We must
keep people out of the parks.”
Updates from the field – Kibale Forest, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Queen
Elizabeth Conservation Area
Chimpanzees – Emily Otali, Country Director, The Kasiisi Project / Kibale
Forest Schools’ Program (founded by Professor Richard Wrangham in 1987).
Human disease – especially viruses – is one of the biggest threats to great apes. “To
reduce that, you need to keep people out of the forest.” She emphasised the role of
scholarships for local children “one of the most effective interventions.”
Gorillas and disease – Dr Fred Nizeyimana, Gorilla Doctors. Previously
respiratory-related illnesses were a big concern, now vets see a big increase in
intestinal issues such as worms and parasites, even in a breastfeeding baby gorilla.
In the last five years, six gorillas have been lost to such related health conditions.
Gorillas and communities – Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Co-Founder,
Conservation Through Public Health. Dr Gladys explained that “The most popular
mountain gorilla groups are the most at risk since they are often found outside the
national parks.” Through their Village Health Teams, CTPH provides simple solutions
such as handwashing facilities and family planning to 50,000 people. “Behaviour
change of the community works best when celebrated regularly.” Combined, these
iniatitives can help protect the gorillas.
Gorilla and chimpanzee census – Jean-Paul Hirwa, International Gorilla
Conservation Programme. Two teams of six rangers are currently sweeping the
gorilla habitat of Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo, undertaking a census of
gorillas which now includes chimpanzees. The census has indirect benefits too:
helping to monitor poaching levels, the presence of snares and changes in elephant
distribution.
Lions and predators – Volcanoes Safaris’ Kyambura Lion Monitoring Team and
the Uganda Carnivore Programme. Bosco from Kyambura and Kenneth from UCP
“work closely in the field.’ They shared the realities: human–wildlife conflict is
worsened by the high number of people living in and around Queen Elizabeth
National Park and the availability of cheap agrochemicals that are used to poison
hyenas and lions. Invasive plant species and the loss of grasses impact herbivores.
The knock-on effect to the food chain is that it drives carnivores to kill livestock.
Invasive species in Queen Elizabeth National Park – Francis Kiwanuka, Head
Guide Volcanoes Safaris. Francis urged for more funding to remove invasive
plants. “Congress weed is even worse than Sicklebush.”
Volcanoes Safaris and JGI and the power to convene
Takeaway messages from the day
Praveen Moman Founder of Volcanoes Safaris stated “It’s essential that great ape
ecotourism is sensitive and controlled.” He reminded the audience that Dian Fossey
herself warned that “tourism would kill the gorillas” if not managed carefully.
Dr Glady’s plea to the tourism industry is for “tourists to visit the communities more.”
When communities benefit directly from tourism, they are less likely to enter forests
to set snares and spread disease.
Dr Peter Apell was “very positive about the people who convened for the day.”
Dr Jane Goodall's message on Kyambura Ecotourism Projects
In 2021, the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda (JGI) and VSPT announced a long-term
partnership to support the threatened chimpanzee population at Kyambura Gorge
which builds on the work done by the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust around
the Kyambura Gorge landscape.
How did the Apes Alliance start?
For more information about the work of the Albertine Apes Alliance and its founding
members, read my report from the 2022 launch event held at Volcanoes Safaris’
magical Mgahinga Lodge.
https://www.muzungubloguganda.com/conservation/volcanoes-safaris-retreat-albertine-rift-ecosystems-and-great-apes-conservation-challenges-2022-to-2050/
Coming soon on The East Africa Travel Podcast by Diary of a Muzungu
Field observations always fire up my imagination and Diary of a Muzungu left the
meeting with a long list of voices I want to amplify through the East Africa Travel
Podcast.
My aim? To use the sounds of nature and conversations with a range of fascinating
guests to inspire travel to Uganda and East Africa and promote the great work of
‘cool people doing awesome stuff to protect our planet.’
Charlotte Beauvoisin is an award-winning podcast host
and publisher of Diary of a Muzungu | East Africa travel podcast and
blog
