Mountain Gorilla

Gorilla beringei beringei

Species

Uganda has more than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population found on the Virunga Mountain slopes in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

There are two species of gorilla recorded only in Africa: the Eastern and Western Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla). Uganda’s mountain gorilla is a subspecies of the Eastern gorilla, found only in the east-central African rainforests. As their name hints, they live only in the mountains at elevations between 8,000 and 13,000 feet.

According to a recent publication (2018), a little more than 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining on Earth. Some of the mountain gorilla population lives in the rainforests of the Virunga mountains in central Africa. The other almost half roam the montane jungle floors of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Where do mountain gorillas live?

Mountain gorillas live in east-central Africa in just two isolated groups – one in the Virunga Volcanoes, a cross-border region spanning three forest reserves in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The other lives in a far-flung, isolated montane forest in Uganda,  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, extending to Sarambwe Nature Reserve in DRC.

These gentle giants live only in high-altitude montane and bamboo forests, between 8,000 – 13,000 feet (1,400 m to 3,800 meters), surrounded by human agriculture and settlements.

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Ostrich

Struthio camelus

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Uganda Kob

Kobus kob thomasi

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Duiker

Cephalophinae

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Forest Elephants

Loxodonta cyclotis

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Monkeys

Cercopithecidae

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Baboon

Papio

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Birds

Aves

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Golden Monkey

Cercopithecus mitis kandti

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Mountain Gorilla

Gorilla beringei beringei

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Chimpanzee

Pan troglodytes

Word from the Executive Director

Welcome to the official website of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). I am honored to serve as the Executive Director of this remarkable institution, entrusted with the stewardship of Uganda’s unique and diverse wildlife heritage.

Uganda’s protected areas are home to some of the world’s most iconic species and landscapes, from the mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Bwindi, to the roaring waterfalls of Murchison, the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, and the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. These natural wonders are not only vital to our national identity but also to our economy, environment, and global biodiversity.


At UWA, we are committed to conserving wildlife and ecosystems through inclusive, innovative, and science-led approaches. We place a strong emphasis on community involvement, tourism development, environmental education, and combating wildlife crime. Our mandate goes beyond protection, it includes ensuring that wildlife conservation contributes to the well-being of communities and the sustainable development of our nation.


This website is a gateway to understanding our work, accessing real-time information, and discovering how you can support conservation efforts. Whether you are a tourist, researcher, investor, conservation partner, or passionate citizen, we invite you to engage with us and be part of this shared responsibility.


Together, let us ensure that Uganda’s wildlife and wild places continue to thrive for us and for future generations.

Conserving for Generations

Dr. James Musinguzi, PhD

Executive Director