MUBALAMA KAKIRA, Léonard

Licencié en Géographie et sciences naturelles, docteur en Géographie avec orientation gestion et aménagement des aires protégées (Université de Gand), Chef de Département de l’Environnement et Développement durable et Directeur du Centre de Recherche en Gestion de la Biodiversité et Changement climatique, ISDR/Bukavu.
Gestion de la biodiversité, Aire protégée, Aménagement, Changement climatique, Renforcement des capacités, Conservation communautaire; Afrique centrale (RD Congo).

Leonard K. Mubalama is a full professor at the Institute of Rural Development (ISDR-Bukavu) and visiting lecturer at Catholic University of Bukavu (UCB). From 2021, he has been appointed head of the Department of Environment and sustainable development. He is Coordinator of the Research Center in Biodiversity Management and Climate Change /ISD-Bukavu. He is Corresponding member of the Royal Academy of Overseas Sciences (ARSOM / KAOW) since June 29, 2020 (Belgium) after he received the ARSOM/KAOW award in 2014 based on his Ph.D. thesis on Monitoring law enforcement and illegal activity in selected protected areas: implications for management and conservation, Democratic Republic of Congo. His Master degree in Conservation biology at Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology at the University of Kent at Canterbury in UK was completed through Darwin fellowship.  He is Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Commission on Protected areas (WCPA): from 2009 up to date; Member of IUCN- African Elephant Specialist Group (AfESG/SSC/IUCN (2002-2004; 2005- 2008; 2009-2012; 2013-2016 and 2017 up to date; Member of the Technical Advisory Group Monitoring the Illegal killing of Elephant and Information System on Elephant Trafficking/Central Africa Representative, February 2016 up to date and finally was appointed since May 7th as Member of IUCN SSC Species Monitoring Specialist Group for the 2021-2024 quadrennium. His research topics include protected areas management, community conservation and natural resources conflict management.

Key publications
 

Kulimushi, L. C., Choudhari, P., Mubalama, L. K., & Banswe, G. T. (2021). GIS and remote sensing-based assessment of soil erosion risk using RUSLE model in South-Kivu province, eastern, Democratic Republic of Congo. Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 12(1), 961‑987. https://doi.org/10.1080/19475705.2021.1906759

Mubalama, L., Masumbuko, DM., Mweze, D., Banswe, G. & Mirindi, PA. (2020). Farmers’ Perceptions towards Climate Change, and Meteorological Data in Kahuzi-Biega National Park Surroundings, Eastern DR. Congo. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 9(6), 178-192.

Mubalama, L., Masumbuko, DM., Igunzi, F., Buhendwa, G. and Mweze, D. (2020). Smallholder Farmers’ Perceptions of Climate Change and Adaptation Options for Sustainable Agriculture: Evidence from Itombwe Massif, Eastern DR Congo. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 9(5), 231-251.

Mubalama, L., Igunzi, F. & Buhendwa, G. (2020). Local community perceptions towards biodiversity conservation within protected areas: Implications for policy making and management in Itombwe Nature Reserve, Eastern DR Congo. IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT). e-ISSN: 2319-2402, p- ISSN: 2319-2399. 14, (4) Ser. II (April. 2020), pp. 26-48.

Kujirakwinja, D., Plumptre, A., Twendilonge, A., Mitamba, G., Mubalama, L., Wasso, J., Kisumbu, O., Shamavu, B., Ayebare, S., Bitomwa, O., & Tshombe, R. (2018). Establishing the Itombwe Natural Reserve : science, participatory consultations and zoning. Oryx, 53(1), 49‑57. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605317001478
 

Complete list of publications
 

Overview of publications