BY INNOCENT KIIZA
UGANDA – In the mist-covered landscapes of Mt. Rwenzori National Park, where once a vibrant symphony of life echoed through the forest, a haunting silence now reigns. The consequences are dire, with chimpanzee populations facing a near-universal decline – endangered or critically endangered, lost to disease, the encroachment of poachers, and the ever-rising demand for bush meat.
At the heart of this struggle lies the totem of the Batangyi clan, intricately woven into the cultural fabric of the region. However, the once-vibrant chorus of the forest is now drowned by the insatiable demand for bush meat, driving the endangerment of chimpanzees, monkeys, and various other wildlife species.
Cultural Perspectives and the Bush Meat Dilemma
Joseph Mbugheki, a resident of Kyondo and an ex-poacher, traces his involvement in poaching back to the late 1990s, a legacy passed down from his father and grandfather. For these communities, poaching was both a means of survival and a cultural tradition.
They hunted not only for sustenance but also for the belief that bush meat, like hyrax meat, was healthier due to its lack of bladder on the liver, deemed beneficial for genetic building. Despite this, certain animals, such as chimpanzees, were reserved from being hunted due to their status as a totem to relatives. Killing them was considered taboo, as it was believed that those sharing the same totem and consuming their blood and meat would develop scabies.
Michael Kyalihe, a 48-year-old ex-poacher, shares that the love for bush meat was inherited, seen as a source of health and longevity. Those who consumed bush meat were believed to be less prone to sickness compared to those who ate fish or cow meat.
The consequences of poaching are profound, as lamented by Remegio Thembo, a tour guide. The once-thriving ecosystem has been tampered with, with indigenous trees replaced by exotic species, disrupting the friendly habitats that once provided sanctuary for chimpanzees.
The Struggle for Conservation: Community Involvement and Solutions
The 2018 Uganda Wildlife Trafficking Assessment Report by TRAFFIC underscores the urgency of the situation, revealing that wildlife crime poses a significant threat to various species, including chimpanzees. As a response, the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda, a non-governmental organization advocating for the conservation of great apes, highlights the need to understand the extent to which communities actively engage in conservation.
Exposures to diverse cultures and influences from non-indigenous religions, multicultural communities, and rural-urban migration have impacted the transmission of indigenous knowledge about the value of nature and its conservation from a cultural perspective.
While culture has eroded in some respects, cultural identity remains crucial for communities linked to their social organization. Among the Bukonzo people, there exists a deep reverence for nature, viewing the chimpanzee not just as an animal but as a symbol of strength and intelligence, a creature to be respected and protected.
Conservation Efforts and the Interplay of Tradition
Milton Bakulirahi, a clan leader of Batangyi, sheds light on the Ekibanda clan’s dedication to chimpanzee preservation. They safeguard a vast natural forest in Nsenyi on Kisinga sub-country. However, intermarriages with neighboring communities have introduced new cultural influences, distorting tradition and making the revered ape a target.
Julious Kaganda, clan leader of Batangyi in Bunyangabu district, has taken a proactive step by establishing an organization dedicated to caring for chimpanzees and conserving habitats for future generations.
Frederick Nsibambi, Deputy Executive Director of the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda, emphasizes that sustainable wildlife conservation practices require the integration of cultural values, practices, and indigenous knowledge in contemporary wildlife management.
“It is the duty of every Ugandan, every leader, every national, civic society, sub country and district unit to protect wildlife; provide information on poaching groups and contribute to wildlife conservation. It is much easier and more affordable to protect the animals we have than replacing them when they are gone,”Nsibambi said.
Hangi Bashir of the Uganda Wildlife Authority acknowledges the persistent challenge of wildlife crime, especially poaching and trafficking, in Uganda. Although laws prohibiting bush meat consumption exist, the practice persists. Livelihood interventions such as apiary, piggery, poultry, and cattle/goat rearing are provided to ex-poachers in communities neighboring protected areas.
“Conservation efforts are crucial, as poaching threatens wildlife, including chimpanzees, in the Rwenzori region. Cultural perspectives on conservation and love for bush meat pose challenges, necessitating regional coordination in the fight against wildlife crime,” Bashir said.
Ericana Baluku, Minister for Culture and Tourism in Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu,( A major cultural institution in Rwenzori) stresses the importance of conserving wildlife for current and future generations.
“We must conserve for today and for tomorrow,” poaching is threatening millions of precious wildlife species like chimpanzees are at risk of extinction if the current poaching levels are unabated,” Baluku said
Kule Walyuba, a conservation expert, underscores the need for community sensitization to combat wildlife crime. “The conservation areas neighbor communities. These are the people who directly benefit from these resources, but also they are usually the local points of contact in the poaching and trafficking,” Walyuba observed.
