Mihingo Conservation and Community Development Foundation (Mihingo CCDF)

The Mihingo Conservation and Community Development Foundation is a separate entity to Mihingo Lodge with the aim to improve the living conditions of the surrounding communities and improve conservation efforts on the eastern side of Lake Mburo National Park . Initially Mihingo CCDF will concentrate on Ruranbira Parish and if successful will expand to other areas around Lake Mburo National Park . Ruranbira Parish is an important part of the Lake Mburo ecosystem, this area is sandwiched between the eastern boundary of Lake Mburo National Park and Lake Kacheera , the biggest Lake in the area.

The following Projects are either being initiated or planned:

1. Mihingo Leopard Project (Launched on 1 st August 2008)
2. Mihingo Honey Project (4 meetings were held and hives have been distributed)
3. Mihingo Craft Project (planned)

Main objectives of all Projects supported by Mihingo CCDF

1.Mihingo Leopard Project

The aim of the project is to conserve all predators in and around Lake Mburo National Park through education and compensating farmers, who have had livestock killed by leopard or hyena. Many farmers around Lake Mburo National Park experience livestock depredation several times a year. The main reaction is to poison livestock carcasses resulting in the death of predator species and many non-target species. The obvious consequence is a negative impact on the biodiversity in the Lake Mburo area. The numbers of jackals are very low and still declining, all vulture species are regularly poisoned and the Leopard and Hyena numbers are very much reduced as a result of poisoning. Many other small predators, like jennet cats, civit, serval, honey badger, banded mongoose sometimes feed on poisoned carcasses and are also killed. Generally farmers report livestock killed by predators to the project. Mihingo CCDF then sends in a member of staff to check if the livestock has been killed by a predator. If this is verified the farmer is compensated and the carcass is confiscated to prevent it from being poisoned at a later stage. The farmers benefit through compensation and support the project and it prevents predators from being killed. Mihingo CCDF staff advise farmers how to protect their livestock from predator attacks to reduce the human wildlife conflict.

2.Mihingo Honey Project

Supporting bee keeping in Ruranbira. The aim is to educate farmers about bee keeping, improve their hives, teach them how to make Kenya hives, buy the local honey from farmers and then process and package this honey, which will be marketed and sold through the Mihingo Shop and Banana Boat in Kampala . All profits will go back into Mihingo CCDF and can be used in all the projects. The aim is to make sure the farmers will benefit directly through the sales of honey, and additionally through the profits that will support social and health projects within Ruranbira.

3.Mihingo Craft Project

In collaboration with Banana Boat the aim will be to produce crafts out of natural materials but also out of recycled materials collected from the waste produced by Mihingo Lodge. These products will be sold at the Mihingo Shop and Banana Boat, as well as directly to visiting guests at the craft centre and possibly exported. A little craft centre will be established where members of the local community will be trained and can work using tools and materials provided through the project. Additionally the Mihingo Craft Project will help develop traditional crafts with the local women concentrating on the skills that women already have such as weaving and beadwork, as well as helping them to develop new products. This will enable women who have small children and responsibilities at home to be able to produce crafts in their home environment and as part of their daily life without having to travel to a craft centre.