Kampala residents have been excited by dummy gorillas walking on the city streets today.
“About 50 “mountain gorillas” have descended on the streets of Kampala today according to Uganda Wildlife Authority public relations manager Lillian Nsubuga. This is among the activities to commemorate the UN international year of the gorillas. This is done to advocate for the plight of Gorillas which are an endangered species and if nothing is done to protect their habitat, they will become extinct.
Over 340 gorillas are resident in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is more than half of the total number of mountain gorillas in the world, estimated at 720. The rest are found in Mgahinga (Uganda), DR Congo and Rwanda.
Tourism revenue is the second foreign exchange earner to Uganda contributing between 4% and 5% to Gross Domestic Product.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Tourism Board and Ministry of Tourism are busy organizing a grand launch of the biggest ever habituated gorilla family, which will take place on September 24 in Kisoro District. Subsequently national celebrations on September 26 and a fundraising gala for gorillas will be held.
