School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences (SFEGS) Collection
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ItemLocal Community Perspectives of Opportunities and Challenges of Tourism Development around Lake Bunyonyi, Kabale District(Makerere University, 2026)Tourism has been recognised as a driver of livelihood improvement and community development in rural destinations. However, the extent to which local communities meaningfully participate in and equitably benefit from tourism development remains a concern in many developing country destinations like Lake Bunyonyi. This thesis presents my research on “Local Community Perspectives on the Opportunities and Challenges of Tourism Development around Lake Bunyonyi” in Kabale district, South-western Uganda. It majorly focused on the contribution of tourism development on household livelihoods, examined the local community participation in tourism planning and decision making and identified the challenges faced by local communities due to tourism development around Lake Bunyonyi. This research study adopted a mixed methods cross sectional approach combining a structured questionnaire survey administered to 75 respondents selected by quota sampling. Also five key informant interviews were conducted with purposively selected individuals including local government officials, tourism business owners and tour operator. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and chi square tests of independence in SPSS. Qualitative data from key informant interviews was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that tourism makes a supplementary contribution to household livelihoods with 92% of respondents deriving some form of tourism income. 82.7% reported positive livelihood improvement. Food and agricultural supply (37.3%) and Hotel employment (28%) were the most common tourism income sources. Community participation in formal planning remains limited with 40% of the respondents feeling excluded from planning processes and 88% desiring greater involvement. Education level was found to have much influence on local community participation (X2(2) = 9.901, p = 0.007). Unequal benefit sharing (68%), environmental degradation (62.7%) and seasonal employment were the commonest challenges reported to be faced by the local people around Lake Bunyonyi due to tourism development. These findings were triangulated and confirmed by key informant interviews which revealed minimal grassroots community involvement in tourism planning and decision making. Indirect income tourism channels were common and seasonal employment causing economic vulnerability due to overdependence on tourism income. This research study concludes that while tourism has boosted positive local livelihood improvement, there are still inequalities in benefit sharing and barriers in community participation in formal tourism planning and decision making. It recommends that UTB, KDLG, tourism developers and community leaders to take action to promote equitable benefit sharing, inclusive community participation and environmental sustainability in tourism development around Lake Bunyonyi.
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ItemAssessing motivations of tourists visiting Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre(Makerere University, 2026)Modern zoos play an important role in education, recreation, research, and public awareness. However, they face a problem of a low number of tourists, which constrains their operations. Little is known about the motivations of tourists visiting zoos which limits efforts to increase visitor numbers. The aim of this study was to assess the motivations of tourists visiting Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) in order to generate recommendations for increasing visitor inflows and revenue to support wildlife conservation. Specifically, the study; (i) identified factors that influence tourists’ decision to visit UWEC; (ii) examined the types of activities tourists prefer engaging in; and (iii) evaluated the level of satisfaction derived from participating in activities at UWEC. Data were collected in June 2026 using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 54 respondents; and key informant interview guide administered to six staff at UWEC. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The findings revealed that relaxation was the leading push motivational factor, while conservation education was the leading pull motivational factor. Most tourists travelled with their families, and wildlife viewing was the most preferred activity (68.5%), contributing to high levels of tourist satisfaction. Of the respondents, 35 were domestic tourists and 19 were international tourists from Asia, Europe, and other African countries. The chi-square test revealed significant associations between overall tourist experience and the demographic characteristics; age and education level of the respondents (p < 0.05). However, binary logistic regression indicated that demographic characteristics did not significantly influence tourists’ likelihood of recommending UWEC to other visitors (p > 0.05). the study recommends continued investment in wildlife conservation and animal welfare through maintaining healthy animal populations, improving animal enclosures, and introducing additional wildlife species, such as cheetahs, to enrich the tourist experience. Strengthening visitor interpretation services by recruiting more guides, providing regular customer care, interpretation training, and increasing the availability of multilingual guides are critical to effectively serve both domestic and international tourists.
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ItemAssessing the Potential of Restored Forests in Kibale National Park for Tourism Development(Makerere University, Kampala, 2026)Ecological restoration has become an important strategy for restoring degraded ecosystems while creating opportunities for sustainable socio-economic development. Despite considerable investment in restoring degraded sections of Kibale National Park, little is known about the tourism potential of these restored forests. This study assessed the potential of restored forests in Kibale National Park for tourism development. Specifically, the study assessed the tourism resources and attractions within the restored forest areas, evaluated local community perceptions towards tourism opportunities, and identified the key opportunities and challenges associated with tourism development in the restored sections. A mixed-methods case study design was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected from 100 community respondents using structured questionnaires, supplemented by key informant interviews with Uganda Wildlife Authority staff and other stakeholders, as well as focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative information was analysed thematically. The findings revealed that the restored forests possess considerable tourism potential. Respondents identified diverse physical features, including swamps (44.4%) and streams (42.4%), abundant wildlife such as elephants (87%), chimpanzees (80%), monkeys (61%), and baboons (56%), as well as numerous indigenous tree species that enhance the ecological and scenic value of the restored landscapes. Birdwatching (100%), nature walks (97.9%), primate tracking (85.6%), and photography (70.1%) emerged as the most suitable tourism activities. Community members expressed willingness to participate in tourism through food services, craft production, cultural performances, and guiding. However, challenges including insufficient community involvement, security concerns, inadequate tourism infrastructure, limited awareness of tourism opportunities, and human-wildlife conflicts were identified as major constraints to tourism development. The study concludes that restored forests in Kibale National Park possess significant potential to diversify tourism products, enhance conservation financing, and improve local livelihoods. It recommends strengthening community participation, investing in tourism infrastructure and marketing, and integrating restored forest areas into Uganda Wildlife Authority's tourism development and conservation strategies to promote sustainable tourism and long-term ecosystem management.
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ItemCommunity views on tree-based flood mitigation approach in the Nyamwamba catchment, Uganda(Makerere University, 2026)The Nyamwamba catchment in Kasese District, Uganda, has experienced recurrent and severe flash flooding, which has significantly compromised local livelihoods, agricultural productivity, and public infrastructure. This ongoing environmental vulnerability forms the core problem investigated in this study, with a specific focus on understanding community engagement in tree planting as a sustainable nature-based solution for flood risk management. To provide a comprehensive assessment, the research was structured around three specific objectives: first, to characterize the existing tree planting activities within the catchment; second, to examine the socio-economic and environmental determinants that shape community perceptions and dictate active local participation; and third, to evaluate how local people experience and perceive the overall practical effectiveness of these treebased interventions in mitigating flood disasters. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design employing a mixed-methods approach to collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously. Primary data was gathered using simple random sampling to administer structured questionnaires to 73 household respondents across flood-affected zones, alongside purposive sampling to conduct interviews with 7 targeted key informants and facilitate two focus group discussions. Quantitative data obtained from the field was systematically coded and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, specifically focusing on frequencies and percentages. Complementarily, qualitative data from the interviews and discussions was processed using manual thematic analysis to capture and contextualize detailed community narratives and institutional experiences. The results of the study, analyzed sequentially by objective, reveal that while environmental awareness is high, structural barriers heavily dictate the actual success of nature-based interventions. According to the first objective, which characterized tree planting activities, the findings showed that a significant majority (89.04%) of the respondents were highly aware of tree planting initiatives designed for flood mitigation. These activities are primarily distributed along vulnerable riverbanks, private farmland boundaries, and public institutional lands using species such as bamboo and grevillea; however, their initial growth and survival are severely threatened by poor soil quality and localized wildlife destruction. Concerning the second objective, which examined the socio-economic and environmental determinants of community participation, the study established that although community willingness and practical skill confidence were high (82.19%), actual implementation is heavily constrained by structural barriers. Chief among these determinants is limited land availability, affecting 71.43% of the targeted areas due to small-scale subsistence farming needs, alongside ongoing soil erosion (57.14%) and restricted access to high-quality, floodresistant seedlings (42.86%). Finally, under the third objective evaluating local perspectives on overall effectiveness, the community expressed highly realistic but divided experiences. While 63.01% of the respondents believe that tree planting possesses the theoretical capacity to reduce flood risks by stabilizing topsoil, 54.79% reported that intense flash flood events frequently wash away or completely destroy younger tree stands and seedlings. Consequently, the local population views tree planting as an insufficient standalone strategy, emphasizing those nature-based solutions must be integrated with hard structural engineering interventions to effectively safeguard the catchment. Conclusion: While community members strongly recognize the potential ecological and economic benefits of tree planting for flood mitigation, significant structural barriers and environmental vulnerabilities must be addressed to enhance long-term sustainability. The study underscores the importance of integrating local knowledge and addressing socioeconomic constraints, such as land scarcity and seedling availability, to foster deeper community engagement. Based on these insights, it is recommended that policymakers and environmental managers enhance targeted education programs, introduce subsidized high quality seedlings, and crucially, combine biological tree planting methods with structural engineering measures like riverbank reinforcement and mechanical desiltation to achieve long-term catchment resilience.
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ItemInfluence of airline marketing on Uganda as a tourist destination(Makerere University, 2024)This study investigates the influence of airline marketing strategies on Uganda’s appeal as a tourist destination. Conducted at Entebbe International Airport Uganda’s primary gateway, this research employs a survey design to capture a comprehensive overview of current marketing practices and their effects on the tourism industry. A stratified random sampling method was utilized to ensure diverse representation across different demographics. Data collection involved semi-structured questionnaires that I administered at the airport, allowing for the acquisition of qualitative insights into tourists' experiences and perceptions. The findings reveal a diverse demographic among respondents and highlight the significant impact of airline marketing initiatives on tourists’ decision-making processes. Key marketing strategies, particularly discounts and promotions, were identified as influential factors in shaping perceptions of Uganda's accessibility and attractiveness. Statistical analysis, conducted using SPSS, illustrates a strong correlation between effective marketing tactics and tourist interest in Uganda, with 56% of respondents acknowledging the influence of airline marketing on their travel decisions. The study concludes that strategic airline marketing plays a crucial role in enhancing Uganda's global appeal as a tourist destination. Recommendations are made for airlines and tourism stakeholders to leverage social media and enhance price competitiveness to attract a broader audience.