Subproject One of the MUST IUC–UCoBS program held a special engagement with members of the Ankole Cultural and Community Conservation Association (ACCCA) on November 11, 2025, the project team from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), and the newly appointed Chief Warden of Lake Mburo National Park, Mr. Elia Kisame. The meeting served as both an introduction and a reaffirmation of the strong collaboration among the park, the university, and the surrounding communities.
Above: A group photo taken after the meeting
Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko, team leader of subproject 1, opened the session by welcoming all participants and introducing the chief warden to the team and the ACCCA members, reflecting on the origins and purpose of ACCCA. He described its role in linking conservation with the preservation of Ankole cultural heritage and emphasized the importance of continuity in partnership following the departure of the former warden and noted the significance of the association’s tourism plan in addressing human-wildlife conflicts around the park.
Key achievements at the ACCCA site included the recent installation of national tap water and ongoing renovation works designed to enhance the area as a tourism attraction. Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko reminded participants that the Uganda Wildlife Authority had allocated 33 acres to ACCCA, now hosting 77 heads of cattle, symbolizing the harmony between cultural heritage and conservation efforts. He further stressed the need to formalize collaboration between MUST, UWA, and ACCCA through Memoranda of Understanding, whose draft versions are already awaiting approval at UWA headquarters.
Dr. Medard addressing the ACCCA team
Leaders of ACCCA expressed sincere gratitude to MUST for continued support through Subproject One and appreciated the Chief Warden for visiting the site for the first time. They reaffirmed their commitment to conserving Lake Mburo National Park, safeguarding the Ankole cow, and promoting cultural tourism. They also appealed for ongoing support from UWA as they expand tourism products rooted in Ankole culture.
The meeting included a guided tour of the ACCCA site, where participants inspected ongoing renovation activities. These include upgrades to the Enyemebwa Centre and the Ankole Cultural House, construction of new sanitation facilities, installation of a septic tank, and the erection of a new entrance gate. The improvements aim to position ACCCA as a distinct cultural and tourism landmark that complements conservation efforts in the park.
Left, right: ACCCA members during the meeting
In his address, Chief Warden Kisame shared his professional journey through various national parks before taking up his new leadership role at Lake Mburo.
He pledged full support for the project’s activities and assured ACCCA members that the park’s dam construction program would provide water for their cattle during periods of scarcity.
He committed to fast-tracking the signing of pending MOUs, facilitating professional training for ACCCA tourist guides, and collaborating closely with MUST researchers. He also expressed interest in an upcoming study by one of the project’s master’s scholars on the presence of PFAS in fish within the park.
The gathering was enriched with cultural celebration. ACCCA members slaughtered and roasted a bull, which participants shared over ongoing discussions. The highlight of the day was a traditional kyevugo performance, a storytelling art form that preserves cultural knowledge and history. The performance featured senior ACCCA members and included a renowned actor from the famous Mzee Kaguta film, uplifting the event with cultural pride and entertainment.
Left, bull roasting during the meeting
The meeting not only introduced the new Chief Warden but also strengthened the collaboration between UWA, MUST, and ACCCA. It showcased how conservation, research, and cultural heritage can be united to foster sustainable solutions that benefit both wildlife and communities.
