Historical Perspective

In 1932, about 200 square kilometers (80 sq miles) of Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest were designated as Crown Forest Reserves. In the early 60's, this area was designated a santuary to protect the mountain gorillas. In the early 90's this Bwindi sanctuary along with the Mgahinga Gorilla Reserve and the Rwenzory Mountains Reserve were all gazetted as the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, totalling over 300 square kilometers. Along the way, the Batwa pygmy people were evicted from the forest, and tourism started up.

The first gorilla tracking tourists started arriving in 1993. And those tourists needed expert rangers to guide them safely into and out of the jungle to track the gorillas. These are those rangers, who have retired (or eventually will retire).

Our Vision

The purpose of formation of this retired rangers association, is to bring together all retired rangers of Bwindi impenetrable National Park (BINP) and enable them to work together, consolidate and organise their skills, knowledge experience for sharing with the New generation and stake holders for improved conservation and tourism initiatives.

Our Mission

The mission of the Bwindi retired rangers association, is to mobilize and organize the retired rangers of Bwindi, and enable them to stand together for socioeconomic and natural support to strengthen one another for self-reliance through consolidation, and documentation of their wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience for sharing with younger and relevant stake holders.

Ranger's Contribution to Wildlife

The Bwindi Rangers protect wildlife in general, and gorillas in particular within the Bwindi Park. They participate daily in locating, identifying and in the habituation of gorilla families, which are visited by tourists and researchers. They participate in the mountain gorilla scientific census, and assist thwarting and apprehending poachers during regular patrols. When Rangers retire due to old age, disease and accidents, they are forgotten by wildlife organizations without any golden parachute, severance pay or pension.

Some of the Projects of the BRR Association

The BRR organization was founded to monitor and provide support for retired rangers, who in their retirement must find new ways to earn a living and support their families. The BRR supports its retired members (and widows) by helping them launch projects and to become self-reliant. Typical projects would include helping retirees acquire livestock, learn bee keeping and facilitate crafts making and marketing, as seen in these photos of our members.

Getting Involved

Tourists can get involved in supporting retired rangers in many ways, including donations to the BRRA or cash contributions to specific projects. Other projects not depicted in the photos above include construction aid for housing for widows or orphans for retired rangers, sponsoring a child's education and buying crafts produced locally. Other ways of helping include facilitating the BRRA's invitations of technical services from veterinarians, agricultural experts and medical care.

The gorilla tracking industry has come a long way from the single gorilla group (Mubare) in 1993. Now there are comfortable lodges for tourists, and a solid network of trackers, rangers and porters creating opportunities for tourists' viewings. But once a ranger retires, the clock is set back -- they must rebuild a means of survival for supporting their families, unaided by any outside agencies. Please contact us to see how you can get involved -- the BRRA rangers are greatful for your support.