Uganda and Kenya have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint conservation and sustainable management of the Mount Elgon ecosystem, formalising over a decade of collaboration between the two countries.

The MoU was signed on March 29 at the Suam border in Kenya’s Trans-Nzoia County. Doreen Katusiime, Permanent Secretary in Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, and Silvia Museiya, Principal Secretary in Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, represented their respective governments.

The agreement sets out a framework for joint planning, resource mobilisation and institutional coordination to manage Mount Elgon as a transboundary biosphere reserve. It also outlines joint strategies to combat land degradation, manage waste, respond to climate change, restore ecosystems and protect biodiversity.

Katusiime said Uganda remains committed to the sustainable use of the Mount Elgon ecosystem and called for continued cooperation between the two countries to address the effects of climate change and other environmental pressures.

Museiya emphasised the need to balance conservation with community needs, saying Kenya supports community-based natural resource management and does not plan forced evictions of people living near the mountain. “We believe it is possible for Mount Elgon to thrive while people continue to live in the area,” she said.

The MoU builds on Mount Elgon’s designation in June 2023 as Africa’s second UNESCO transboundary biosphere reserve. Covering more than 588 000 hectares across core, buffer and transition zones, the reserve provides vital ecosystem services including watershed functions, biodiversity conservation and climate regulation.

Both governments have committed to engaging local communities in the governance of the reserve and using it as a platform for scientific research, education and sustainable development.