Security-related conservation matters are at the core of the meeting between Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration and the Leaders of Kisoro District.
The role of Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration in the Greater Virunga Landscape, especially in the District of Kisoro, Republic of Uganda is spectacular, according to the Resident District Commissioner of Kisoro District, Hon. Shafiki Sekandi.
GVTC was instrumental in contributing to the peace and stability in the region through the arrangements of round table meetings between transboundary entities, including civil and security agencies from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Uganda and the Republic of Rwanda. These meetings have resulted in the reduction of cross-border conflicts, including the border disputes between the GVTC Partner States, especially DRC and Uganda.
GVTC has also contributed to the projects aiming at improving the livelihoods of the communities around the Protected areas, namely the construction of the Community Commercial Complex of Rwerere, the construction of rainwater harvesting tanks, mitigation of Human-Wildlife Conflicts in building stone walls around the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, water supply through Water for Virunga, a project implemented under the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration.
These are some of the achievements highlighted during the meeting, which brought together the delegation of Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration composed of Madam Kabeya Fatuma Marie Rose, Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration, Mr. Ismael Ochen Ochen, Program Coordinator and Mr. Juvenal Mukeshimana, Program Assistant on one side and the team of Kisoro District, composed of the Hon. Shafiq Sekandi, Resident District Commissioner, security agencies of the Army and Police operating in Kisoro District.
GVTC Officials and Kisoro District Leaders during the meeting GVTC Officials and Kisoro District Leaders after the meeting
at Ikoro Hotel in Kisoro, on the 6 September 2023 at Ikoro Hotel on 6 September 2023
The meeting discussed the need to organize a country-level meeting sometime before November 2023, which will bring together various institutions involved in the conservation and tourism development within the Districts bordering the protected areas of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in preparation for the regional meeting which will take place later.
The participants expressed their eagerness to see the transboundary collaboration normalize, especially the free movement of goods and people at the level of all the border posts within the Greater Virunga Landscape.
The participants reiterated their wish to see the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration Treaty ratified as this strengthens its status and credibility as a regional body.
