Uganda will be hosting her maiden Rhino Naming Ceremony come September 22 at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, an event that will officially mark the beginning of the translocation process and re-introduction of rhinos to Ajai Wildlife Reserve.
The announcement was jointly made by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, during a high-level breakfast meeting in Kampala attended by government officials, private sector leaders, development partners, and conservation champions on Tuesday.
The ceremony, to be presided over by the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, will mark a major milestone in the ongoing Name A Rhino Campaign, a five-year, USD 11 million (UGX 40 billion) fundraising effort launched last year to secure and expand Uganda’s rhino population.
The ceremony will offer individuals, corporates, and philanthropists the unique opportunity to symbolically “adopt” and name a rhino, with proceeds directly funding habitat expansion, veterinary care, anti-poaching measures, and community conservation programmes.
Uganda Wildlife Authority has put in place a rhino translocation committee that is working around clock to ensure the rhinos are delivered to Ajai before the end of this year.
Speaking at the breakfast meeting, UWA Executive Director, Dr. James Musinguzi noted that the ceremony will be a celebration of how far Uganda’s conservation front has come – from extinction in the wild in the 1980s, to now having 48 rhinos in Uganda, including 46 at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Musinguzi added, “But it is also a call to action. The Naming Ceremony is an opportunity for individuals and organizations to leave a lasting legacy by naming one of 17 calves and juveniles, while directly supporting rhino conservation.”
It should be noted that Rhinos were once widespread in Uganda, but poaching and habitat loss drove them to extinction in the wild. Since 2006, the breeding program at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has seen 40 Southern White Rhinos born from an initial founder population of six.
The Rhino Naming initiative aims to support ongoing breeding and reintroduction of rhinos into the wild, starting with Ajai Wildlife Reserve, strengthening anti-poaching measures, habitat protection, and community involvement.
Giving his remarks at the meeting, the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra noted that the translocation of rhinos to Ajai Wildlife Reserve will connect the West Nile region to the tourism circuit, offer a bigger rhino range, and bring economic opportunities to communities through tourism.
“The first-ever Rhino Naming Ceremony is a proud moment for Uganda and a powerful symbol of our commitment to conservation. Rhinos are not only part of our natural heritage, they are an asset that can drive tourism, jobs, and sustainable growth for our communities. This year, we take the next bold step by reintroducing rhinos into Ajai Wildlife Reserve. I call on every citizen, company, and partner to be part of this legacy. When you name a rhino, you are not just giving it an identity, you are securing its future and the future of conservation in Uganda,” the Minister said.
The naming ceremony slated for September will bring together various stakeholders and mark the start of the translocation process.
According to UTB CEO, Juliana Kagwa, this event is more than a naming ceremony.
“It is a platform to showcase Uganda’s commitment to sustainable tourism. Our natural heritage is our competitive advantage, and protecting it ensures that visitors continue to choose Uganda for authentic wildlife experiences,” Kagwa said.
Under the National Rhino Conservation and Management Strategy for Uganda (2018– 2028), the country aims to achieve an annual rhino population growth rate of at least 5%.
“This will be driven by strengthened security, protection and law enforcement, reintroduction and establishment of new populations, building national capacity for effective management, and promoting education and public awareness on the value of rhino conservation,” the joint statement issued today reads in part.
UWA Dr. Musinguzi further emphasized that, “Protecting rhinos is not just about preserving a species; it’s about securing our ecosystems, supporting tourism, and creating long-term benefits for local communities.”
UWA thus invites individuals, companies, philanthropists, and global conservation supporters to join the Name A Rhino Campaign, with contributions directly funding rhino protection, habitat expansion, and community benefit projects.