Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) signed a 3 year agreement that will see renewed efforts of marketing Uganda gorillas. The MOU which was effected on 1st September 2015, is aimed at supporting Uganda tour operators, to market the Country more Internationally.

The number of gorilla permits available per day is has risen from 18 with 4 Gorilla groups in 2006 to 104 with 13 Gorilla groups habituated for tourism in both Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks which calls more effective approaches to marketing. There are other two groups where visitors can be taken for experiential tourism to take part in the actual habituation process. These groups are Bushaho and Bikingi in the Southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Under the agreement, UWA will provide a commission of one complimentary gorilla tracking permit for every 30 gorilla permits bought and utilized by AUTO to Non foreign resident clients. The complimentary permits will be declared at the end of each quarter, based on the sales performance of the previous quarter. This initiative follows the old sales commission of $ 10 per permit which was mutually wound up.

The two entities believe the MOU will enhance co-operation, increase the sale of Gorilla permits and promote gorilla tourism and Uganda as a destination regionally and internationally.