The Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities, is looking for Up to USD 11 million (about UGX 40b) for conservation and preservation of rhinos in the country.
According to the Tourism Minister, Tom Butime the money will go towards several conservation activities such as developing new habitats for rhinos and other species among others.
He made the remarks during the International Rhino Day celebration, at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary in Nakasongola district where he also launched the “Name the Rhino Campaign".
Butime notes that the campaign aims at attracting several entities, individuals among others to christen their preferred names to Rhinos in ziwa rhino Sanctuary adding that a total of 11 young and juvenile rhinos are set for naming.
“It takes time to collect the money we are looking for, so we have started the campaign. Let's see how we can achieve our objectives, we hope in March 2025 on world wildlife day we shall have done enough campaign to get the USD 11 million”,Butime states.
The minister further asked Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to expedite the process of reintroducing rhinos back to the wild.
The Acting Executive Director UWA Stephen Masaba responded by saying that the process has faced a few delays but soon it will commence with 10 rhinos being translocated from ziwa rhino sanctuary to Ajai Wildlife Reserve in the West Nile Region
Currently Uganda has 45 rhinos with 43 living at ziwa rhino sanctuary and the 2 at Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. Globally there is an estimated 27,000 white rhinos and 5,000 black rhinos .
