Forty-three trainees finished the 2009 Uganda Birdguides Club training course successfully, and received the UBGC diploma as professional guides recognized by USAGA (Uganda Safari Guides Association), as well as the material contributed to each graduate by the Emberiza Fund:

- One pair of vanguard 8x40 rubber-coated binoculars
- One copy of The Kingdon Pocket Guide to African Mammals by J. Kingdon.
- One copy of A Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa by T. Stevenson and J. Fanshawe

(Both these books published by A&C Black (www.acblack.com), and in our oppinion the best titles available on their subjects).

The graduation ceremony took place on March 21 at Queen Elizabeth National Park, and on this occasion the State Minister for Tourism, Mr. Serapio Rukondo, was so kind as to drive the distance from Kampala to speak to the graduates about the need to provide foreign birdwatchers and travel agencies with the best possible professional services.

The Minister recognized the importance of birwatching and wildlife as key factors for the development of the tourism industry in Uganda, and mentioned an initiative presented to the Government in order to reduce taxes to optical equipment, essential to these activities.