Earlier this week, ECOTRUST, together with a team from the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), visited the Alimugonza Community Forest in Pakanyi sub-county, Masindi District. The visit aimed to assess the progress of ECOTRUST’s biodiversity conservation and restoration initiatives within the Murchison Falls Landscape. The forest, spanning 43.5 hectares, is managed by the Alimugonza Communal Land Association (CLA) and serves as a key conservation and livelihood resource for the local community.
A key highlight of the visit was the Bee Keeping Centre of Excellence for forest honey processing, which aggregates honey from Alimugonza and three other community forests—Rwentumba, Kaitampisi, and Motokayi. Led by community honey expert Umar, the team toured the facility, witnessing how it has empowered local communities to earn a sustainable income. Through this center, the community not only processes high-quality honey but also packages and brands it, ensuring access to better markets. In addition, the center has provided vital skills training in beekeeping and honey processing, equipping locals with the expertise needed to sustain their bee-keeping enterprises.
Beyond honey production, the Alimugonza CLA has made significant progress in biodiversity conservation, aiming to generate biodiversity credits as an additional income stream. The youth members in the group are at the forefront of this effort, deploying camera traps and acoustic recorders to monitor forest biodiversity, including plant species, mammals, and birds, as well as threats to the ecosystem.
During the visit, Phillip, a passionate member of the youth monitoring team, shared his excitement about the technology. He enthusiastically imitated the call of his favorite species, the “Akoko” (dove in the local language of Alur), expressing his hope for a future where the forest thrives with abundant wildlife. “We want to see more animals, more birds. We want to get more firewood, more herbs, more rain, and fresh air. We also want more members to join our group,” he said.
Speaking to Hannan Ndiroraaho, Chairman of the Alimugonza CLA, he shared how ECOTRUST has played a critical role in transforming their conservation efforts. “We were conserving our forest, but we didn’t fully understand why. ECOTRUST built our capacity, trained us in business planning, and helped us focus on beekeeping,” he explained.
Since ECOTRUST’s intervention, the CLA has grown from 48 hives to over 150, with increasing participation from women and youth. While encroachment and wildfires are still significant challenges, the community remains committed to conservation, recognizing the long-term benefits.
Today, the Alimugonza CLA stands as a model of a thriving community-led conservation initiative, equipped with a business plan, a constitution, and a clear long-term vision for sustainable forest management.
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