KANUNGU — Uganda’s mountain gorilla population has received a boost following the birth of a new infant in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has announced.
In a statement shared to mark the International Day of Forests, UWA revealed that the newborn was registered in the Mucunguzi gorilla family, bringing the group’s total membership to 18.
“We are glad to announce that our gorilla family is growing,” the authority said, describing the development as “good news” for conservation efforts in the country.
The birth adds to a series of encouraging milestones for Uganda’s wildlife sector, particularly in Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
Conservationists say such births are a key indicator of successful protection measures for the endangered species, which has historically faced threats including poaching, habitat loss, and disease.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of Africa’s most biologically diverse forests and a critical habitat for mountain gorillas and other wildlife species.
The park currently hosts multiple habituated gorilla families across sectors such as Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija, and Nkuringo, attracting thousands of tourists annually and contributing significantly to conservation financing and local livelihoods.
Recent conservation gains have been linked to strong collaboration between wildlife authorities, local communities, and international partners. Revenue from tourism — particularly gorilla trekking — has played a central role in supporting protection efforts and reducing poaching.
Previous announcements by UWA have similarly highlighted a steady increase in gorilla births in Bwindi, often described as a sign of a recovering population.