Uganda will next month hold the first ever rhino naming ceremony aimed at raising over shs40 billion( approximately $11 million) that is meant to support collaborative rhino conservation programs in Uganda.
The initiative spearheaded by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities will see the rhino naming ceremony held at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola District on September, 22, 2025 with President Museveni as the chief guest.
Speaking during the launch on Tuesday at Kampala Sheraton Hotel, UWA Executive Director, Dr James Musinguzi said 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.
“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 Rhino Sanctuary. Despite success of breeding activities at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the global population of rhinos continues to face a serious threat of poaching driven by high demand for rhino horns. This has endangered rhinos globally and so the ‘Name A Rhino’ campaign aims to raise public awareness, funds and support for Uganda’s rhino conservation efforts in ensuring survival and continued growth of the rhino population in Uganda,” Dr.Musinguzi said.
He said Uganda boasts of a wide array of wildlife and ecosystems making the country a bio diversity hotspot and landscape but noted that a big population of these animals was by the 1980s greatly reduced due to the unrest and rampant population.
Dr.Musinguzi particularly pointed out the population of the rhinos which got extinct until 2026 when they started breeding the animals at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary .
The population has grown from six rhinos to now 48, including the two at the UWEC in Entebbe.
“This unique fundraising campaign aims to create awareness about conservation with a focus to expand in the rhino range to accommodate the growing population. This will not be a one-off but rather sustained campaign to reintroduce the Southern white rhino and the indigenous Eastern Black Rhino. It will be a sustained campaign following a 10-year rhino conservation strategy.”
He said the overarching goal is to raise adequate resources to support rhino conservation and expansion efforts in the country .
UTB CEO, Juliana Kagwa said the initiative 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.
The state minister for Tourism, Martin Mugarra said the initiative underscores government’s efforts towards conservation.
“It is a demonstration of Uganda’s commitment towards conversation and the role it plays in our country’s socio-economic transformation. The 17 baby rhinos to be named on September 22 and the growing number of rhinos in Uganda to a total of 48 are a result of decades of conservation efforts,” Mugarra said.