Uganda, Rwanda, DRC join to protect Virunga
Efforts are being taken to strengthen security in the Virunga mountain ranges shared by Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The Virunga massive is a chain of Volcanic Mountains located in East and Central Africa, this is a home to the only World’s last remaining population of the critically endangered mountain gorillas. Due to insecurities in the area especially on DR Congo side, the 3 countries are laying strategies to strengthen security on the home of gorillas in a two-day Greater Virunga Trans boundary Collaboration (GVTC) meeting in Kampala at Mosa Courts.
According to Mr. Seguya Andrew, the Uganda Wildlife Authority boss, insecurity is a big threat to the wildlife in Virunga, Mgahinga, Volcanoes and Bwindi impenetrable forests. Ensuring security in the area is important to safeguard gorillas and other wildlife in the area.
He added that insecurity in Democratic Republic of Congo resulted into death of many elephants but on the Ugandan side, poaching has greatly reduced. UWA works together with communities surrounding all national parks and wildlife reserves and providing other alternative livelihoods to fight poaching. The end of war in Democratic republic of Congo has reduced poaching. He further noted that investigations by Uganda Wildlife Authority showed that the 800 ivory tusks that were intercepted at EBB were from Tanzania but not from Democratic public of Congo, and Rhino horns were from South Africa.
According to Greater Virunga Trans boundary Collaboration Executive Secretary Wilson Kajwengye, we should strengthen the current governing laws to punish poachers when arrested. In other words, the 3 countries sharing the virunga massive should strengthen the legislation to curb those who kill the animals and cutting down the forest park. The meeting is also discussing sharing of revenue especially on Gorilla families. Gorilla tourism is the most popular attraction in the area especially Uganda and Rwanda.
Gorilla tourism in DR Congo has been greatly affected by the insecurity in the area. Gorilla tracking in Rwanda takes place in Volcanoes national park, Virunga National Park in DR Congo and in Uganda, mountain gorillas are found in Mgahinga and Bwindi impenetrable national park. However, insecurity scares away tourists into the area and therefore, we must work together to bring back peace and handle the problem of poaching.
