The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) together with her sister agencies has launched the activity roadmap for the commemoration of this year’s World Wildlife Day due on 3rd March.
Under the theme “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage, and Livelihoods,” the month-long activity schedule blends conservation, education, community, and sports events.
Speaking at the launch held today at the Media Centre in Kampala, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, the Minister of State for Tourism emphasized that medicinal plants are not only the foundation of traditional healthcare systems but also an economic lifeline for millions of rural communities globally.
The minister noted that the theme is a call to recognize the fundamental interconnectedness between diversity conservation, human well-being and sustainable development.
“Medicinal and aromatic plants represent far more than botanical specimen and as we face unprecedented challenges from climate change, habitat loss and unsustainable exploitation, the conservation of these plants has never been more crucial for our collective future,” he said.
According to the Minister, around 60,000 plant species are used globally for medicinal, nutritional, and aromatic purposes, with roughly 500,000 tons traded annually. He added that the market is valued at $60 billion USD and is growing at 7% per year, yet 90% of these plants are still harvested from the wild, creating severe pressure on ecosystems and threatening long-term availability.
He stressed the need to regulate harvesting and prevent over exploitation of the medicinal and aromatic plants to ensure these species remain available for future generations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80% of people in developing countries, including Uganda, rely on herbal medicine for treating and soothing various illnesses..
National Wildlife Half Marathon
Scheduled for 1st March 2026 at Kitante Primary School, the National Wildlife Half Marathon is one of the numerous activities leading to the main celebrations on March 3rd at Botanical Gardens in Entebbe.
According to the Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Dr. James Musinguzi, the half marathon is aimed at raising awareness among the general public on issues of wildlife conservation.
Dr. Musinguzi noted that proceeds from the Marathon will go towards securing education for children of the fallen rangers who die(d) in line of duty.
This Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) education fund for bereaved children, Dr. Musinguzi said, supports an average of 6 to 10 children per ranger, with over 100 children having benefited so far.
The Wildlife Half Marathon kit was also unveiled with two options from which participants can choose; Gold package (UGX 50,000) and Bronze package (UGX 30,000).
Other activities and events leading to March 3rd include; competitions for primary, secondary and tertiary schools covering disciplines such as art, music, essay and poetry writing. The National Crane festival which is slated for 24th February will be held at Masaka Liberation Grounds, preceding the conservation conference scheduled for 26th February in Kampala.
Representing the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Juliana Kagwa, the Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the importance of collaboration as a key strategy for effective conservation.
She urged communities and stakeholders to embrace medicinal and aromatic herbs, recognizing their value for health, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.
“The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) plans to integrate herbal immersion experiences into its tourism strategy, creating opportunities for visitors to learn about and engage with indigenous plant knowledge,” she said.
Kagwa also highlighted the development of botanical trails at Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) and in national parks, which are designed to educate the public and provide hands-on experiences with Uganda’s medicinal and aromatic plant species.
President-elect H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is going to be the Chief Guest at this year’s World Wildlife Day celebrations.