Assessment of community-based ecotourism as a conservation strategy for areas around Queen Elizabeth national park in Kasese district, western Uganda

Abstract

Queen Elizabeth National Park’s limited range of community-based ecotourism activities and services, along with weak community engagement and poor attitudes, constrains the full potential of ecotourism as a sustainable development model. This study assessed ecotourism activities, community involvement, and the socioeconomic and environmental benefits in Lake Katwe and Muhokya sub-counties, Kasese District. Data were collected from 333 household representatives and 21 key informants, including tourism officials, guides, rangers, tourists, and local leaders. Structured questionnaires and interviews were used, with multiple response analysis and Pearson’s chi-square test to examine the prevalence of ecotourism activities and community involvement differences. Findings revealed key ecotourism activities, such as cultural experiences, community-managed trails, and local food tours, while dominant services included community conservation projects (70.3%), community lodges (57.4%), and community-managed tours (54.7%). Community involvement was highest in revenue sharing (83.2%) and conflict resolution (69.4%), with strong participation in meetings, cultural preservation, and environmental education. Although ecotourism fosters livelihood diversification, skills development, and conservation incentives, limited activity variety and community engagement hinder its full impact. Strengthening conservation practices, enhancing community participation, and promoting long-term planning are recommended to maximize ecotourism’s benefits for conservation and local development.