Communities in the three districts bordering Bwindi Impenetrable National Park(BINP) have since the year 2000,benefited from a revenue sharing policy that has enhanced their budgets and provision of social services.

According to Mr. Charles Tumwesigye, the BINP Conservation manager, communities bordering the national park get 20% of the revenue from gate collections. The money is used to supplement the budgets of the neighbouring districts namely Kanungu,Kisoro and Kabale.

Since 2000, Kanungu district has received a total of Uganda US D 114,000, Kabale USD 38,000 and Kisoro USD 21,000 from the gate collection revenue sharing

Besides the 20% gate collection share, UWA also introduced the gorilla permit levy which entitles these communities to funds from the 5% gorilla levy fees, which was introduced in 2006 but its implementation began this year.

By last month, a total of USD 130,000 had been released to the three districts .The amount is expected to rise as more gorilla tourists visit the National Park.

According to Mrs Josephine Kasya,the Kanungu District chairperson, the revenue from the National park has been used to support  community projects  including Primary schools, health centres ,community roads and community halls.