ARTICLES

BWINDI GETS TELE-CENTRE

Conservation through Public Health (CTPH) has built a telecentre in a bid to empower communities around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to improve health and livelihoods.

Bwindi is home to half of the world's endangered mountain gorilla population, which is estimated at 750 and has four habituated (gorillas that are used to human presence without losing their wild character) groups that are open to tourism.

Launching the centre, the Nabagereka, Sylvia Nagginda, who is also the patron of CTPH, asked tourists to use the centre.

She said local enterprises would benefit from the facility, adding that they would sell their crafts through the Internet, contributing to the development of the country.

"This telecentre strengthens the skill set and education of the community members to get jobs that require higher technical skills," the Nabagereka said.

The telecentre provides wireless Internet access to the local community, institutions and eco-tourists, facilitates the exchange of health and conservation knowledge.

The centre was set up by Dr. Gladys Kalema and Lawrence Zikusoka.