environment 18 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's Gorilla Tourism Revenue Surges to Shs110 Billion Amidst Population Growth
Uganda has recorded a significant increase in revenue from mountain gorilla tourism, reaching Shs110 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, a rise attributed to a growing gorilla population and successful recovery from previous dips. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-s-gorilla-tourism-revenue-hits-shs110b-as-population-grows-5600590
Uganda’s coffers have seen a substantial boost from its iconic mountain gorilla tourism, with earnings hitting Shs110 billion in the 2025/26 financial year. This figure represents a notable increase from the Shs86 billion generated in the 2023/24 period, as reported by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
These impressive earnings were part of the total Shs162.5 billion collected from the combined tourism activities in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks for the 2025/26 fiscal year. The growth marks a strong recovery after a downturn in 2023/24, when total revenue from both parks dipped to Shs131.9 billion, with gorilla tourism contributing Shs86 billion.
UWA officials attributed the earlier decline to negative travel advisories but noted that sustained promotional efforts by tourism stakeholders have since revitalized earnings. Year-on-year figures show a consistent upward trend: Shs93 billion from gorillas in 2024/25, Shs109.8 billion in 2022/23, and now Shs110 billion in 2025/26.
This financial success runs parallel to a flourishing mountain gorilla population, largely due to new births. Uganda is a sanctuary for over half of the world’s mountain gorillas. While the last census in 2018 estimated 459 gorillas in the Bwindi-Sarambwe area, a new census launched in May 2025 is awaiting DNA analysis for definitive numbers.
Visitor numbers to these key parks are also on the rise. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park saw its visitor count climb from 3,601 in 2021/22 to 6,222 in 2024/25. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park experienced a more significant increase, hosting 43,716 visitors in 2024/25, up from 20,367 in 2021/22.
In line with its commitment to local development, UWA disbursed Shs2.97 billion to communities surrounding the Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area through its revenue-sharing program for the year ending June 2025. These positive developments precede Uganda’s upcoming World Gorilla Day celebrations on September 24.