IGCP Thanks Mark Mwine for 8 Years of Service | International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)

It is with a mixture of sadness and sincere appreciation for his contributions to conservation that IGCP says farewell to Conservation Incentives Officer Mark Mwine. In an evening celebration on September 13 in Kabale, Mark was acknowledged in turn by over twenty colleagues and friends from not only IGCP, but Nature Uganda, CARE Uganda, CARE Rwanda, local school systems, leaders of civil society, and farming cooperatives. Testaments to Mark’s human qualities and gentle leadership filled the evening.

“You can see how he related to people on a human level when you see how people thought about and regarded IGCP,” said 11-year IGCP veteran Stephen Asuma. “You were a leader by your nature.” Stephen also reminded Mark not to sever ties with IGCP. “My mother once said, when you are moving homes, don’t cut the pumpkins. You never know when you might need to come back. I have seen no sign of Mark cutting pumpkins and we assure you, if you were to come back, you would still find your pumpkins.”

Giuseppe Daconto, Regional Coordinator of the CARE-IGCP EEEGL project added to Stephen’s comments. “As someone working on conservation incentives, it was Mark’s job to contribute to people’s livelihoods and also have direct links to conservation. I have admired Mark’s commitment to that cause, which is a tough, challenging job. It has required much inspiration.”%0