Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST)

The Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST) is implementing the Corridor Restoration Programme (CRP) in the Bugoma-Wambabya-Bujawe landscape, using on restoring wildlife corridors, improving community livelihoods and securing land tenure to link Bugoma Forest with Budongo Forest. Major efforts include reforesting 600 hectares (ha) of critical habitat with 240,000 trees using an incentivized payment for environmental services (PES) model to protect chimpanzee habitats.

Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST) Project at Bugoma Forest enhances protection and restoration of ecosystems around the Reserve.

Main Objectives of the Project

Conserving biodiversity

Supporting local communities

Using financial incentives to promote sustainable land use

Restore forest connectivity between Bugoma and Budongo forests

Protect wildlife movement (especially chimpanzees)

Improve climate resilience and livelihoods

3. Key Activities in Bugoma Area

a) Reforestation and Habitat Restoration

Planting hundreds of thousands of indigenous trees

Restoring degraded land (about 1,800+ hectares)

Rebuilding forest patches that act as wildlife corridors

b) Protecting Chimpanzee Habitat

Restoring key routes used by eastern chimpanzees

Securing land for conservation (e.g., 124 hectares of corridor land)

Ensuring safe movement between forest blocks

c) Community-Based Conservation

Working with local farmers and landowners

Promoting agroforestry (growing trees alongside crops)

Supporting collaborative forest management (CFM)