We people around ITFC live in an area of steep hills with valleys. Many of us have to walk long distances to reach water sources, but some people have small plastic tanks to collect water from their roofs during the rainy seasons.

We grow tea and tobacco as cash crops on a small scale. Beans, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, millet, cabbages, yams and sorghum are grown as food crops and may also be sold locally to add on our income. We also rear goats, cows, sheep, pigs and we plant different tree species like eucalyptus, pine, black-wattle and cyprus for our home use and for extra income. In addition to these sources of income there are a few employment opportunities available from ITFC and UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority).

UWA recently opened one Mountain gorilla group for tracking from Ruhija, there are also nature walks to the bamboo zone, to Mubwindi swamp and opportunties to go for birding. Tour companies have started setting up tourist facilities (camp sites, hotels, lodges) and local people hope they may be able to sell food and handcrafts to tourists.

Every Tuesday there is a market in the canteen and people from all surrounding villages come to attend it. They sell and buy goods locally grown and other goods from the shops that have been set up. Often they walk for hours with their produce to come to the market Business is growing slowly and the shop keepers use public cars travelling to Kabale, the nearest town about 50 km from Ruhija. The road passes through the national park and sometimes, in the rain season when elephants are on the road, the transport during early mornings and evening hours is delayed.

Hope to hear your attitudes and responses.

Christopher