21st century tech to rescue Uganda’s mountain gorillas

Feb 8, 22

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Join a mountain gorilla family and contribute to the conservation of this endangered species: launch of My Gorilla Family app and My Gorilla Family Festival, Kampala, Uganda, February 2022.

A pioneering initiative to protect Uganda’s mountain gorilla population has officially been launched, leveraging technology to create sustainable sources of non-trekking revenues to fund conservation.

RoundBob and The Naturalist, Ugandan conservation enterprises working with Uganda Wildlife Authority, have launched My Gorilla Family, a subscription-based mobile app that allows users to contribute to saving this endangered species by joining a mountain gorilla family, virtually. This was coupled with the launch of My Gorilla Family Festival, a hybrid event that will see local and international artists performing in Kisoro, south western Uganda in May 2022.

“Uganda is absolutely ready for an application and a festival like this. It is time for the world to come and see how much more Uganda has to offer.”

Lily Ajarova, Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Tourism Board

For as little as $2 per month, My Gorilla Family subscribers will receive an all-access pass to the Bwindi / Mgahinga Conservation Areas of Uganda, home to more than 50% of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Subscribers can virtually trek and follow the gorillas’ daily excursions and family migrations, celebrate gorilla births and the great apes’ birthdays and receive updates from the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers who protect and know the gorillas best.

“UWA is mandated to ensure sustainable management of wildlife resources. We are proud to work with our partners to ensure this, but also to educate local communities and people from all over the world about the value of protecting these majestic animals, and keep them for future generations.”

Sam Mwandha, Executive Director, Uganda Wildlife Authority

The app and festival launch, held at Protea Kampala Skyz Hotel, was attended by notable conservationists and tourism industry representatives. Panelists included Lily Ajarova, CEO Uganda Tourism Board, Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health, and Stephen Masaba, Director Tourism & Business Development, Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Fidelis Kanyamunyu is a passionate advocate for conservation of gorillas and neighbouring human communities. It was Fidelis’ idea to create new ways of generating revenue to support mountain gorilla conservation and to give back to local communities.

“As a child, I went hunting in the forest; when the conservation areas were carved out, I grew into a poacher. I am now known as an advocate for conservation and continue to champion community awareness.”

Fidelis Kanyamunyu, reformed poacher, Honorary Wildlife Officer with Uganda Wildlife Authority and Co-Founder of Home of the Gorillas

Home of the Gorillas Initiative, in partnership with Uganda Wildlife Authority, seeks to commercialise activities that generate alternative ways of funding conservation. This is done by leveraging technology that enables the global community to engage with the gorillas remotely.

“It is important to note the investment opportunities presented by conservation.”

Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, a leading scientist and conservationist at the forefront of gorilla conservation efforts in East Africa, emphasised the importance of community inclusion

“In addition to the subscription-based application My Gorilla Family, the Home of the Gorillas initiative will launch the first conservation limited NFT collection linked to the ±200 habituated individual mountain gorillas in the wild.”

David Gonahasa, Co-Founder of Home of the Gorillas, further explained the importance of this initiative.

“We all need to be conservationists, regardless of our background or physical location. By leveraging technology, we are making more people aware of this natural capital we are blessed with, resulting in more mountain gorilla ambassadors globally.”

Terence Chambati, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Home of the Gorillas

Download My Gorilla Family on the Google PlayStore. iOS and web application versions will be available end of February 2022.

Follow @mygorillafamily on Twitter and check out the website www.gorilla.family

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