Big Campaign: $11M ‘Name A Rhino’ Drive Launched To Protect Uganda’s Rare Giants

By Our Reporter

Uganda is turning conservation into a national celebration, and this September, all eyes will be on Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni presides over the country’s first-ever Rhino Naming Ceremony.

The high-profile event will not just be a spectacle of wildlife pride — it marks the launch of a bold $11 million (UGX 40 billion) “Name A Rhino” campaign, a landmark conservation and tourism drive that aims to grow Uganda’s rhino population and boost rural economies over the next five years.

Uganda’s rhinos were wiped out in the wild during the 1980s, victims of relentless poaching. Today, thanks to two decades of dedicated conservation, the population has bounced back to 48 — 46 of them thriving at Ziwa. The return is nothing short of remarkable, and conservationists are determined to write the next chapter of this success story.

“This is a rallying call to every Ugandan, every business, and every friend of wildlife across the globe,” said Dr. James Musinguzi, Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). “When you name a rhino, you’re not just giving it an identity — you’re directly funding its protection, health, and future.”

More Than Just Wildlife – An Economic Lifeline

The “Name A Rhino” campaign will channel funds into habitat expansion, round-the-clock anti-poaching patrols, advanced veterinary care, and community development projects around rhino ranges. In practical terms, it means better-equipped rangers, improved schools, safer water sources, and more jobs for local residents.

Tourism Minister Martin Mugarra Bahenduka says the campaign is as much about economic transformation as it is about conservation. “Rhinos attract visitors from around the world. Moving some to Ajai Wildlife Reserve in West Nile will open up an entirely new tourism circuit, creating jobs and opportunities in an area that has long been overlooked.”

Since the first six Southern White Rhinos arrived at Ziwa in 2006, the sanctuary has welcomed over 40 births, becoming a flagship attraction for safari-goers. The new plan to relocate some of the herd to Ajai before the year’s end is part of Uganda’s broader goal under the National Rhino Conservation and Management Strategy (2018–2028) — a vision to grow the population by at least 5% annually through improved security and breeding programs.

Uganda Tourism Board CEO Juliana Kagwa believes the campaign will resonate far beyond conservation circles. “This is our chance to show the world that Uganda doesn’t just talk about protecting its wildlife — we lead by example. Rhinos are an iconic part of our safari identity, and this initiative ensures they remain so for generations.”

The ceremony, led by President Museveni, will invite individuals, companies, and global supporters to choose names for 17 young rhinos. In return, they will become part of Uganda’s conservation legacy.

“Saving rhinos is saving livelihoods,” Dr. Musinguzi reminded attendees at the campaign launch breakfast in Kampala. “When we protect these animals, we protect communities, tourism revenue, and our country’s unique natural heritage.”

The message is clear: Uganda’s rhinos are back, but their survival depends on sustained commitment. The “Name A Rhino” drive offers a way for everyone — from schoolchildren to CEOs — to be part of one of Africa’s greatest wildlife comeback stories.

For details on how to name a rhino or contribute to the cause, visit the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s official channels.