Beginning in 1993, Buhoma Community Rest Camp (BCRC) is located at the entrance of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Kayonza sub-county of the Kanungu District. It is a community-based enterprise initiated and managed by members of the communities surrounding Mukono parish. Revenue earned from visiting guests transfers to Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association (BMCDA) and then
dispersed to local community projects. The following are but a few of those projects: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Buhoma Community Primary School, Buhoma Community High School, Buhoma Gravity Water Flow Scheme, Pineapple and Vegetable Growing Project, Ride for a Woman Project, Buhoma SACCO, and the Buhoma Community Village Walk. Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association (BMCDA) was founded by Mukono parish members and a United States Peace Corp volunteer by the name of John Dubois in 1992. It is a non-profit organization that began operations in 1993 with the following mission:
“Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association (BMCDA) seeks to initiate a development process focusing on the empowerment of women and children, quality education, health, communication, conservation, and recreation through a sustainable resource base in the Mukono parish.”
Community driven, Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association (BMCDA) has brought together over 7000 community members for the benefit of development, improved livelihoods, and conservation of natural resources. The association has also ventured into a community based tour and travel company called Bwindi Eco-Tours. By doing so, the association is assisting members of the community obtain reputable employment and empowering them with the necessary skills to not only guide tourists but to further their career goals if they so choose. Tourism has found its way into giving back to the community.
