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Figure 9:
Even though the logging concessions fall out-
side of the protected areas, it is not uncommon – due to
lack of resources for enforcement – that companies log
inside protected areas, where often more valuable timber
is present, and export this as part of their legal conces-
sions – many however with at least 50% underreporting.
I am a Member of Parliament, representing Kabale municipal-
ity. I am also the Minister of State in charge of tourism, wildlife
and antiquities. The United Nations declared 2009 the year of
the gorilla, and, as a minister, in charge of tourism for the Re-
public of Uganda, I acknowledge the central role that the gorillas
in Uganda play in our tourism. As you may know, Uganda hosts
more than 50% of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world,
so we make it a priority to ensure that the gorillas are preserved.
The gorillas and chimpanzees are the closest cousins of man. So
if you have not visited the gorillas, if you want to know a bit
about yourself, which you might not know, go to see the gorillas.
See how they behave, see how the mothers look after their kids,
see how the father, the silverback, the head of the family behaves,
how he protects the whole family; then you get to know a bit
about yourself.
So we in Uganda want people to know what the gorilla is, want
to encourage people to visit the gorillas and in collaboration
with our partners, want the people of the world to know that
there is a gorilla, a close cousin of man, and come to Uganda,
come to Rwanda, come to DRC for the mountain gorillas, and
go to West Africa for the lowland gorillas. It is important for
the whole world to know about the gorilla and for people, near
or far, to contribute to the conservation programmes across this
country and across Africa, to make sure that this closest cousin
of man survives. Thank you.
Hon. Serapio Rukundo MP
Uganda’s Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife
and Antiquities
INTERVIEW
“
We make it a priority that
the gorillas are preserved
”
Indonesia
Canada
USA
EU 15
Japan
Malaysia
Brazil
Russia
Other Latin
America
Other
Asia
China
West and Central
Africa
Acceding
EU (2004)
Corruption
Ratio of suspicious timber supply
The size of the bubbles reflects
estimated volume of suspect
roundwood, including imports
Widespread
corruption
No
corruption
0%
40%
80%
Source: Seneca Cree Associates 2004