Uganda Launches Kanyamahene Batwa Model Village to Advance Community-Centred Conservation
The Ugandan government has commissioned the Kanyamahene Batwa Model Village in Kisoro District, an initiative aimed at supporting indigenous communities while promoting sustainable conservation. Officially launched by State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra, the new village provides permanent housing, clean water, and farmland for eight Batwa families—an indigenous group historically displaced from forest areas near Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks. The project is part of the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust’s (BMCT) strategy to address the socio-economic needs of Batwa communities.
Developed in partnership with organisations such as WWF, the village reflects a wider commitment to inclusive conservation and sustainable development in the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area. Since its inception, BMCT has supported over 300 Batwa households with land, built 17 permanent houses, assisted over 700 children with education, and enhanced conservation through ranger training, anti-poaching efforts, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. The government now plans to replicate the model in other regions, aligning environmental protection with community empowerment.