Socio-economic effects of tourism activities to the local communities in Buhoma Town Council around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the social-economic effects of tourism activities to the local communities around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with a focus on Nkwenda Village in Buhoma Town Council. Questionnaire method was used to collect data among 129 respondents. The data obtained from study was analyzed using SPSS. The study found that most of the people interviewed (96%) knew about tourism in the park and different meanings were presented but majority described it as an act where people (tourists) from different parts of the world travel to discover new and unique creatures like animals, lakes and rivers plantations and birds mostly for leisure, study purposes and adventure. Out of the respondents interviewed, majorities were Male (67%). Furthermore, results show that most of the respondents (25%), interviewed were 55 and above years of age, followed by those whose age bracket was between 36-55 (22%), and least (12%) were those who were between 36-45 years. The findings showed that among the listed challenges faced by local community, it clearly brings an insight that most people (60%) agreed that there is culture with a price tag and this has resulted because of need to suit tourist’s preferences, its observed that there is a challenge of possible friction between visitors and local residence over shared usage of recreational facilities with (44%) of the respondents agreeing on this challenge. Not only that but also results showed that most people (56%) agreed about existence of land conflicts especially between the tourism management and the local community this is inform of unexpected and abrupt land encroachment on the land of the local community with an excuse of tourism land and need to expand the park. The study recommended that, government should prioritize on needs of the locals in order to address the incidences where locals’ needs aren’t addressed from revenue generated from tourism activities this comes as a result that most cases needs regarding the local community are not looked at and also tourism awareness campaigns and educational sessions should be organized by the environmental section of the park to promote better understanding of the benefits of tourism in the area.