Did you know that some of the biodiversity in high altitude wetlands differs from that in low altitude wetlands. Research is being conducted by a team of scientists at Kabale university and the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. This research is part of the SEBU project concerning high altitude endemic species. Funding for this project has been provided by the JRS Biodiversity Foundation. Specifically, it aims to identify high-altitude wetlands within the Albertine Rift that have potential to be designated as Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). As a result of the Site Selection to Protect Papyrus Endemic Biodiversity in Uganda (SEBU) project, significant amounts of information have been collected about high altitude biodiversity in Uganda. Among our collaborators on the project is Loy Natukunda, a student in the MSc in Environment and Natural Resources. Her research has been presented in high profile scholarly networks around the world.

It was in 2023 that Loy began this transformative research journey with the SEBU Project. As part of the SEBU project, she was recruited as a research assistant. Together with another male student on the MSc program, Shafati Natukunda, the two Natukundas joined a team of students from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom as collaborators on the SEBU Project. As a result of the project, they were provided with a unique opportunity to coordinate their study work with ongoing SEBU biodiversity research in the Albertine region. This collaboration allowed them to gain hands-on experience in biodiversity research, contributing to the understanding of high-altitude ecosystems in Uganda. Their work has not only enriched their academic pursuits but will also offer valuable data to support conservation efforts in the Albertine region.

In her study, Loy Natukunda focused on the Rushebeya-Kanyabaha Wetland in Rukiga district as the study area. In order to determine whether the wetland qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area, she used papyrus-endemic birds as biodiversity indicators. Over the course of 138 systematically selected observation points, she recorded 953 individual birds from six papyrus-endemic species. These included:

• White-winged Swamp Warbler (Bradypterus carpalis) – 327 individuals (34.4%)
• Greater Swamp Warbler (Acrocephalus rufescens) – 215 individuals (22.6%)
• Carruthers’s Cisticola (Cisticola Carruthers) – 151 individuals (15.8%)
• Papyrus Gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri) – 133 individuals (14.0%)
• Papyrus Yellow Warbler (Calamonastides gracilirostris) – 111 individuals (11.6%)
• Papyrus Canary (Crithagra koliensis) – 15 individuals (1.6%)

We note from this preliminary work that the Papyrus Yellow Warbler, a globally threatened species, met the KBA criteria by representing over 1% of its global population of 10,00 birds and exhibiting a strong preference for mature, healthy papyrus vegetation. The study also revealed significant levels of habitat degradation, largely caused by farming activities, which adversely affected bird abundance and species diversity. This highlights the importance of conserving papyrus wetlands to protect the Papyrus Yellow Warbler and other endemic species. Sustainable farming practices and habitat restoration are crucial for mitigating the negative impacts of habitat degradation and ensuring the survival of these unique bird populations.

Through the support of SEBU, Loy Natukunda testifies that she successfully defended her dissertation in November 2024 and anticipates graduation in October 2025. Beyond academics, the project gave me life-changing exposure.”

During the course of the project, she had the opportunity to spend six weeks at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, she received training in data analysis using R software. As a result, she has acquired the skills and knowledge necessary to analyze field data and create high-quality visual representations. It was due to this capacity boost that she was able to present at two international conferences. During the Student Conference on Conservation Science (SCCS 2025) in Cambridge, she received the 3rd Prize for Best Talk. During the SASA 2025 Conference, she was also able to present a talk on how wetlands can be used to adapt to climate change through biodiversity conservation.

In order to expand the impact of this research locally, she also participated in two radio talk shows. One was on World Wetlands Day (2024) and the other on International Day for Biological Diversity. In these shows, she discussed the importance of wetlands conservation and communicated my findings to community audiences in local languages. These efforts not only raised awareness but also fostered local engagement in conservation initiatives. Her ability to bridge scientific research with community outreach has significantly contributed to the promotion of sustainable practices and environmental stewardship in the region.

During the course of this project, students collaborated on two data entry training sessions: one for the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and another for the National Biodiversity Data Bank (NBDB) at Makerere University. The training enabled them to deposit field survey data from five wetlands into the databases of these platforms, ensuring that our efforts contribute to conservation planning and decision-making over the long term. Currently, 5 datasets have been published in GBIF platform here (https://www.gbif.org/publisher/search?q=kabale%20university) while the database of NBDB is still under review.

Through the SEBU project, students like Loy have gained knowledge, networks, and confidence that have opened new doors for them. As one example, she was able to obtain a position as a Program Officer at Nature Uganda’s Kabale office. Currently, Loy is responsible for coordinating the AfricElle Project: Women as Champions for Agroforestry, Biodiversity, and Nature Conservation around Protected Areas in Africa. By bridging science, livelihoods, and gender equity, this project empowers local women to engage in sustainable agroforestry, biodiversity protection, and community-based conservation.