Two weeks ago, the Apes of Uganda Exhibition was launched at the Uganda Museum in Kamwokya. The event that started on 24th February 2023 is still on and will end on the 30th August 2023.
The Minister of Tourism Hon. Tom Butime launched the exhibition that is scheduled to run for six months.
The exhibition organised by the Uganda National Museum in partnership with the University of Michigan aims at showcasing the central role that Uganda plays in research and preservation of the great apes.
Despite their social and economic importance, mountain gorillas and the chimpanzees are endangered and are classified among wildlife species under threat of extinction.
In the recent years human wildlife conflicts have become more rampant with severe consequences.
The Apes and primates play a major role in Uganda’s social and economic development by attracting a big number of tourists to the country.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Kibale National parks in Western Uganda are some of the leading great Apes tourism destinations globally.
It should be noted that Uganda is one of the few countries where travelers can meet two rare great apes; the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
The mountain gorillas can be seen on organised Uganda tours through the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.
Chimpanzees can be found in several forests including protected areas and non protected forests as well. Popular spots where to see chimpanzees include Kibale Forest National Park in Western Uganda, Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest in Queen Elizabeth Conservation area, as well as Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park.
