Staff Reporter
Kanungu District marked World Chimpanzee Day on Friday with a vibrant celebration organized by the Jane Goodall Institute in partnership with the Diocese of Kinkizi, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and the Kanungu District Local Government.
The event, embraced by residents of Kirima and surrounding areas, featured extensive entertainment and messages focused on environmental conservation.
John Makumba, the Director of Conservation Tourism at UWA, highlighted the urgent need to protect chimpanzees, a cause that has long been neglected. Makumba announced that UWA will allocate funds to facilitate the habituation of chimpanzees in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with the animals to be safeguarded in the Ngoto Tourism Camp under the Diocese of Kinkizi.
Byamukama James, the Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute, spoke about the special connection between chimpanzees and humans, emphasizing their behavioral and social similarities. He praised Dr. Jane Goodall, who at the age of 26 began her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees in Tanzania. Dr. Goodall’s discoveries, including the use of tools and sign language by chimpanzees, have significantly contributed to our understanding of these primates.
Byamukama stressed that World Chimpanzee Day serves to reinforce the importance of protecting not only chimpanzees but also all forest species that play a crucial role in environmental conservation.
Bishop Dan Zoreka called on the Kanungu community to increase the planting of native trees to support environmental conservation. He emphasized that such efforts are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and boosting tourism, which can drive economic transformation for local households.
