Building the Robert Brierley Community Centre in Nkuringo
By mid-morning, the sound of hammers and chatter carries across the ridge — proof that something lasting is taking shape.
The Robert Brierley Community Centre is under construction in Nkuringo, a highland community on the southern edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The building will provide training and meeting spaces for people living around the gorilla trekking trailheads — a place to learn, work, and plan together.
The project is led by the Gorilla Junction Foundation, the community arm of Nkuringo Safaris & Lodges. It is named in memory of Robert Brierley, who co-founded Nkuringo Walking Safaris in 2007 and worked closely with local guides and porters to create jobs during the first years of gorilla tourism. The centre continues his belief that conservation is strongest when local people share directly in its benefits.
What’s been done so far
Construction began in late 2024 with support from Nkuringo Safaris & Lodges, private donors, and the Gorilla Junction Foundation. By April 2024, the structure was fully roofed, plastered, and fitted with doors and windows. The main hall and two smaller training rooms are ready for finishing.
Local masons and carpenters have done most of the work, using locally made bricks and timber. Plans are underway to add solar power and water harvesting so the centre can operate independently and host evening programs.
How the space will be used
The centre will host short, practical courses designed around community priorities. Early sessions will include:
- Tailoring and craft production for women’s groups seeking income beyond seasonal porter work.
- Computer literacy for school leavers and guides who need digital skills for tourism jobs.
- Guiding and hospitality basics for young people entering the safari sector.
- Photography and storytelling workshops led by local trainers and visiting professionals.
Each program is being developed with local partners so that training connects directly to real employment or small business opportunities.
“People ask when the sewing machines will arrive,” says Peace, a Nkuringo resident helping with the build. “We want to start soon.”
Why this matters for conservation
Families here live beside an extraordinary forest but have limited access to steady work. When households can earn income from skills linked to tourism and craft, pressure on forest resources—charcoal, timber, bushmeat—drops.
That’s the purpose behind the centre: strong communities make strong conservation possible.
What’s next
In the coming months, we’ll complete solar installation, water systems, and basic furnishings for the tailoring and computer rooms. Once those are in place, we’ll begin short pilot trainings before opening the full program schedule in 2026.
The building phase has been funded through private donations and Nkuringo Safaris contributions. New support now focuses on equipment and training materials—laptops, sewing machines, tables, and chairs.
If you have access to working equipment or wish to contribute, please contact info@gorillajunction.org.
Who’s involved
The project is managed by Gorilla Junction Foundation in partnership with Nkuringo Safaris & Lodges and local council representatives. A local coordinator, hired through the Foundation, will manage bookings and programs once the centre opens. All trainers and maintenance staff will be locally employed.
Visit or support
Travellers staying at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge can visit the site with their guide to see progress first-hand. To follow updates or support the next phase, Donate to the center or visit gorillajunction.org.
