The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is considering penalties for tourists who breach mountain gorilla trekking guidelines, as a new assessment by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) calls for stronger enforcement, improved guide training and greater accountability among tourism operators to protect the endangered primates.
Dorcus Rukundo, Acting Commissioner for Tourism and Business Development at UWA, noted that penalties similar to those imposed on tourists who go off designated safari tracks could also be introduced for visitors who flout gorilla trekking rules.
Richard Muhabwe, Chief Warden of the Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area, said the authority intends to tighten compliance with existing regulations, particularly the requirement for visitors to maintain a minimum distance of 10 metres from gorillas.
Muhabwe said he would engage UWA headquarters, the tourism department, and the executive director to determine how to penalise visitors who deliberately disregard the rules.
“For us as UWA, we are going to implement it to the dot,” Muhabwe said, citing concerns about tourists who approach gorillas too closely, refuse to wear masks where required or ignore instructions from guides.
The proposed penalties and their enforcement procedures are still under discussion. Stakeholders have emphasised the need to communicate any new measures to visitors before implementation.
The proposals emerged during a validation meeting of the Gorilla Friendly Pledge assessment organised by IGCP in Kampala. The report, based on research conducted between December 2025 and February 2026, involved 250 respondents drawn from Uganda and Rwanda, including tourists, tour operators, conservation organisations, park managers and communities neighbouring protected areas.
The assessment found that 95.2 per cent of respondents had taken the Gorilla Friendly Pledge, while 73.6 per cent had participated in related training. However, only 33.2 per cent shared information about the initiative with tourists, highlighting a significant gap between awareness and communicating responsible tourism practices to visitors.
The findings suggest that commitments to responsible gorilla tourism have not consistently translated into practice, raising questions about the effectiveness of existing awareness campaigns without stronger monitoring and enforcement.
Mountain gorillas are particularly vulnerable to human-borne diseases because of their close genetic relationship with humans. The minimum viewing distance was increased from seven to 10 metres during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Muhabwe warned that an outbreak of a human disease among gorillas could have devastating consequences for their populations, underscoring the need for visitors to observe established health and safety precautions.
The IGCP assessment identifies several other threats, including inappropriate visitor behaviour, attempts to influence gorilla movements and the use of misleading promotional images by tourism businesses.
Some tour operators and accommodation facilities were found to be sharing photographs and videos that appeared to show visitors getting too close to gorillas or disregarding recommended precautions. These argued that such marketing risks create unrealistic expectations among tourists while encouraging behaviour that compromises conservation.
The report also raises concerns about reflective glass windows and attractive food plants around lodges drawing gorillas towards human settlements, potentially increasing contact with people and the risk of crop-raiding.
Wellard Makambo Molatu, IGCP Executive Director, said the Gorilla Friendly Pledge was developed to ensure that the economic benefits of gorilla tourism do not come at the expense of wildlife protection.
Initiated in 2014 by IGCP and the Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network and relaunched in 2020, the initiative encourages tourists to commit to responsible gorilla visitation, follow established rules and share their experiences through its online platform.
“The rules are important,” Molatu said, emphasising the need to protect gorillas from disease and preserve the quality of the tourism experience.
He said IGCP was revamping its website to make it easier for tourists to take the pledge and provide feedback on their experiences. The organisation also intends to promote QR codes, strengthen engagement with tourism operators and park managers, and improve educational materials.
The report recommends that tour operators integrate the pledge into pre-tour briefings, improve guide training and ensure visitors understand the required distance and other precautions. Hotels and lodges are encouraged to improve waste management, use responsible marketing materials and comply with applicable environmental requirements, including securing the necessary environmental and social impact assessment certificates before December 2026.
UWA Commissioner for Field Operations Charles Tumwesigye welcomed the assessment, saying the authority was ready to work with conservation partners and tourism operators to implement its recommendations. He also supported moving towards certification to demonstrate compliance with responsible tourism standards.