environment 15 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
British conservationist Sandra Gray champions Lake Mutanda's revival
British zoologist Sandra Gray is leading a community-based initiative to restore the ecological health of Uganda's Lake Mutanda, combining conservation efforts with sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/british-conservationist-leads-fight-to-save-uganda-s-lake-mutanda-5496792
British nurse and zoologist Sandra Gray, affectionately known as ‘Kachima’ (golden monkey) by locals, has shifted her focus from the Virunga Mountains’ primates to the endangered ecosystem of Lake Mutanda in Kisoro District.
Having dedicated over two decades to conservation in Uganda, Gray founded the Wetland Life Conservation Initiative (WLCI). This enterprise aims to combat the threats of encroachment, deforestation, agricultural runoff, and illegal fishing that have degraded the lake’s once-thriving birdlife and fisheries.
WLCI integrates conservation with development, seeking to protect the lake’s biodiversity and rich eco-tourism potential while providing alternative income sources for the surrounding communities. Gray highlighted the lake’s significant value, noting specific nesting sites and otter habitats that require undisturbed protection.
The initiative collaborates with local leaders and environmental agencies to restore wetlands and foster eco-tourism. Gray’s extensive documentation reveals 223 bird species, along with otters, amphibians, reptiles, and unique papyrus varieties, underscoring the area’s potential for a robust tourism industry.
To ensure community buy-in, WLCI is training residents, particularly unemployed youth, in professional tour guiding. Environmental education is also a key component, with storytelling novels distributed in local schools to instill a sense of stewardship in children. School directors have praised the program for fostering a new generation of environmental leaders.
Government agencies are actively partnering with WLCI, enhancing the enforcement of environmental regulations and curbing destructive practices like illegal shoreline farming. The fisheries department is also working with WLCI to promote sustainable fishing methods.
Despite challenges, including resistance from some illegal fishers, local leaders are observing a gradual shift in attitudes, recognizing the long-term benefits of Gray’s conservation work. Gray believes that a healthy environment is crucial for human well-being, and the Lake Mutanda project offers a replicable model for balancing environmental protection with economic prosperity.