Sustainable Destination Management
Strategies in the OIC Member Countries
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standards. Since 1996, Uganda Wildlife Authority has been implementing the community
conservation programs. As a statutory requirement, UWA has been implementing a revenue
sharing scheme whereby 20% of entry fees to national parks is paid to local governments
neighboring protected areas (as provided for in the Uganda Wildlife Act Cap: 200 of 2000) to
support conservation and development projects as well as offsetting costs of conservation
incurred by neighboring communities, hence promoting co-existence. Revenue sharing funds
have been used to implement various community projects ranging from schools, bore holes,
problem animal trenches, and the donation of livestock to individuals.202
Local communities adjacent to national parks are considered key stakeholders. There has been
a shift from traditional conservation approaches to community conservation since the 1990s to
harmonize the relationship between the parks and local people. Revenue sharing is one of the
strategies funded by tourism. The Wildlife Act (UWA) includes the enhancement of economic
and social benefits from wildlife management by establishing wildlife use rights and the
promotion of tourism.203 UWA contributes 20% of park fees to a local community fund. A
sustained impact has been relatively low to date due to inadequate community participation in
the program, inequitable and limited distribution of funds. In the past, the focus of the program
was mainly on social infrastructural projects that appeared to have little effect. The new revenue
sharing guidelines emphasis focus on supporting livelihood and problem animal management
projects in the frontline villages, a shift hoping to increase the impact of the program. Previously,
funds were allocated to the district which was a constraint in its success.204 The new guidelines
provide the criteria for selection of revenue sharing projects and beneficiaries where
communities identify the projects and the project management committee selected by the
communities participates in project screening. The sub county chiefs, community development
officers together with protected area management, are supposed to mobilize and sensitize
communities on the revenue sharing guidelines, participate in project selection, and monitor
implementation of the projects. The selected projects from the frontline villages will inform the
parish and sub county plans.205
Tourism has played a role in preserving the cultures and have focused on tourism sites
surrounding wildlife areas. Various conservation initiatives by partner NGOs such as the Flora
and Fauna International (FFI) have supplemented UWA efforts to enhance benefits of people
living adjacent to protected areas through the Cultural Values Conservation Project. The impacts
of such efforts are not yet measured. UWA also has a cultural product within each national park
which links to the specific cultural values of these areas. 206
With support from the World Bank, the Hotel Training & Tourism Institute (HTTI) is to receive
a facelift and equipment so that it can produce graduates who are well-groomed and match the
industry needs of the private sector. This will fill a gap in the sector, which lacks high quality
202 Uganda Wildlife Authority. (n.d.). Strategic Plan 2013-2018. Retrieved from
203 Uganda Wildlife Authority. (n.d.). Uganda wildlife act. Retrieved from
wildlife-act.
204 Interview Bonifence.
205 Uganda Wildlife Authority. (n.d.). BINP General Management Plan 2014 – 2024. Retrieved from
2023.pdf.
206 Uganda Wildlife Authority. (n.d.). Strategic plan 2013-2018. Retrieved from