CCFU Collaborates with Media Actors to Promote Human-Chimpanzee co-existence in Rwenzori and Bunyoro sub-regions
From 22nd to 23rd October, the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) brought together media professionals, conservationists, and community leaders during a workshop held in Kagadi to share experiences and best practices in addressing human-chimpanzee co-existence challenges. The workshop further aimed at promoting the role of culture in conserving chimpanzees in Uganda, particularly in the Bunyoro and Rwenzori regions through working with the media. Participants for the workshop were drawn from different media houses based in Bunyoro and Rwenzori and they included New Vision News Paper, Bukedde TV, the Albertine Journal, Spice FM, Hoima FM, Liberty FM, Kabalega FM among others participated.
As part of CCFU’s #CultureForChimps project, the workshop explored culturally-appropriate approaches to promoting human-chimpanzee co-existence. Ms. Barbra Babweteera, Executive Director of CCFU, delivered a keynote address that encouraged participants to discuss contemporary conservation challenges and share innovative solutions rooted in the local context.
Phillip Kihumuro, WWF’s Project Manager, highlighted the importance of involving cultural and religious leaders in conservation efforts. He emphasized that adopting a beliefs, values, cultural approaches as well as community engagement is crucial to sustainable conservation.
The workshop included a field visit to private forest owners who are culturally attached to chimpanzees but have been affected by the apes in various ways. The field visit provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of chimpanzee conservation in the region.
At the end of the workshop, media actors had the opportunity to develop stories for reporting on chimpanzee conservation, with the goal of promoting CCFU’s conservation efforts and joint conservation initiatives.
About CCFU’s #CultureForChimps Project
CCFU’s #CultureForChimps project (2023-2025), supported by the Arcus Foundation, focuses on harnessing cultural and community-based resources to promote community respect and value for chimpanzees in Uganda’s Bunyoro and Rwenzori regions. The project aims to contribute to chimpanzee conservation outside protected areas by promoting the inclusion of local communities in planning and implementing conservation initiatives.