Uganda is set to make conservation history on 22nd September 2025 when the country hosts its first-ever Rhino Naming Ceremony at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola District.
The milestone event will be presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and will celebrate the progress of the ongoing Name A Rhino campaign — a five-year, USD 11 million (UGX 40 billion) drive aimed at restoring and protecting the nation’s rhino population.
The announcement was made during a high-level breakfast meeting in Kampala attended by senior government officials, private sector executives, development partners, and conservation advocates.
Launched in 2024, the Name A Rhino initiative allows individuals, corporates, and philanthropists to symbolically adopt and name rhinos, with all proceeds going toward habitat expansion, veterinary care, anti-poaching operations, and community conservation programmes.
“This will be a celebration of how far we have come — from extinction in the wild in the 1980s to now having 48 rhinos in Uganda, including 46 at Ziwa,” said Dr. James Musinguzi, Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). “But it is also a call to action. This is an opportunity for individuals and organisations to leave a lasting legacy by naming one of 17 calves and juveniles, while directly supporting rhino conservation.”
From Extinction to Recovery
Once widespread across Uganda, rhinos vanished from the wild in the 1980s due to poaching and habitat loss. A reintroduction programme at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary began in 2006 with six Southern White Rhinos, and since then, 40 calves have been born.
The next phase involves translocating rhinos to Ajai Wildlife Reserve in West Nile — an initiative expected to expand their range, boost regional tourism, and open new economic opportunities for surrounding communities.
“The first-ever Rhino Naming Ceremony is not just symbolic — it’s a testament to our commitment to conservation,” said Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahenduka, State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. “This year, we are reintroducing rhinos into Ajai Wildlife Reserve. Naming a rhino is not just about giving it an identity; it is about securing its future and the future of conservation in Uganda.”
Showcasing Sustainable Tourism
Uganda Tourism Board CEO Juliana Kagwa noted that the event will also serve as a platform to promote sustainable tourism.
“Our natural heritage is our competitive edge. Protecting it ensures that travellers continue to choose Uganda for authentic wildlife experiences,” she said.
Under the National Rhino Conservation and Management Strategy (2018–2028), Uganda aims to achieve at least a 5% annual rhino population growth rate through stronger security measures, reintroductions, new habitats, capacity building, and public education.
A dedicated Rhino Translocation Committee is already working to ensure the Ajai transfer is completed before the end of the year.
Dr. Musinguzi stressed:
“Protecting rhinos is not just about saving a species; it is about safeguarding ecosystems, growing tourism, and delivering lasting benefits to local communities.”
