Innocent Ampeire
Conservation Coordinator
Local farmers in Hoima and Kikuube districts are leading the charge in protecting wild chimpanzee habitats. Their stories of coexistence inspire our work every day.
Conservation does not happen in isolation. It requires the active participation and leadership of the communities who share their land with wildlife. Today, we celebrate the remarkable individuals who have become our Community Conservation Champions.
From Conflict to Coexistence
In Hoima district, farmer John Tumusiime was once one of the loudest voices against chimpanzee conservation. Crop raiding by wild chimpanzees had cost him thousands of shillings in lost harvests. But after joining our farmer training program, John learned techniques to protect his crops while preserving the forest corridors that chimpanzees depend on.
โI used to see the chimpanzees as my enemy,โ John says. โNow I understand that protecting their forest also protects my farmland from soil erosion and drought.โ
Scaling the Program
We have now trained over 200 community monitors across three districts, creating a grassroots network of conservation advocates who report illegal logging, monitor chimpanzee movements, and educate their neighbors about coexistence.