Nestled in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains in western Uganda, Kibale National Park stands as one of East Africa's last remaining mid-altitude rainforests. Celebrated for its extraordinary biodiversity and conservation value, Kibale boasts the highest diversity and density of primates in the region, including Uganda's largest population of endangered chimpanzees. The future of this forest and its wildlife is closely tied to the well-being of the surrounding communities—a delicate balance that grows ever more precarious as the local human population expands. 

Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with nearly half of its citizens under the age of 17. Consequently, the country’s youth will play a crucial role in shaping the future of its natural heritage, including the preservation of Kibale National Park. However, young people living in rural areas like those surrounding Kibale face significant challenges that threaten their potential, with the most pressing issue being the lack of access to quality education.

The Kasiisi Project's mission is to conserve Kibale National Park in Uganda by promoting education, health, and conservation action in communities around the park. Through our Ugandan NGO, the Kibale Forest Schools Program (KFSP), the Kasiisi Project partners with 16 forest-edge primary schools, reaching an average of 9,200 children each year plus their families and 170 communities living within 5km of the park boundary. Its programs have transformed the lives of people in this area, resulting in strong local support and leadership in the organization. Kasiisi Project's team on the ground consists entirely of Ugandans, almost exclusively from the communities that we serve. Kasiisi Project schools are recognized as the best in the region, and its long-term efforts have been critical to the conservation of Kibale National Park, one of Uganda's most important natural treasures.

Founded in 1997 as an extension of the Kibale Chimpanzee Project, The Kasiisi Project was established to improve educational opportunities for children living along the densely populated western border of Kibale. What began as an initiative to enhance the infrastructure of existing schools quickly evolved into a more holistic approach, focused on ensuring that schools could offer the highest quality education to their students. Today, The Kasiisi Project now operates using three strategic pillars—Education, Health, and Conservation—with the aim of strengthening schools, supporting healthier communities and fostering a new generation of Ugandan conservationists - all with the goal of conserving Kibale National Park and its native wildlife.