Uganda to Host First-Ever Rhino Naming Ceremony at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 2025
Uganda is preparing for a historic milestone in its conservation journey—the first-ever Rhino Naming Ceremony at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 2025 in Nakasongola District. This landmark event promises to be both a celebration of conservation success and a powerful statement of Uganda’s commitment to protecting endangered wildlife.
What the Ceremony is About
The Rhino Naming Ceremony is part of the “Name A Rhino” campaign, a five-year initiative launched in 2024 to raise funds for rhino conservation in Uganda. During the event, individuals, companies, and philanthropists will have the opportunity to symbolically adopt and name one of the sanctuary’s 17 juvenile rhinos.
The funds raised at Rhino Naming Ceremony at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 2025 will support habitat expansion, veterinary care, anti-poaching patrols, and community conservation projects.
The ceremony will be presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, alongside the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), and other key stakeholders in the tourism and conservation sectors.
A Remarkable Conservation Story of Rhinos in Uganda
Rhinos once roamed freely across Uganda, but rampant poaching drove them to extinction in the wild by the early 1980s. Thanks to reintroduction efforts beginning in 2006, the Southern White Rhino has slowly made a comeback at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Today, the sanctuary is home to 47 rhinos, with 40 of them born on Ugandan soil. This recovery story is one of Africa’s quiet conservation triumphs.
Why It Matters for Tourism
The Rhino Naming Ceremony at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 2025 is more than just a symbolic event—it is a turning point for Uganda’s tourism industry:
- Showcasing Conservation Tourism: By highlighting the successful recovery of rhinos, Uganda strengthens its global reputation as a top eco-tourism destination where conservation is prioritized.
- Expanding Safari Experiences: Plans are underway to reintroduce rhinos to Ajai Wildlife Reserve in West Nile, opening up new circuits for tourists and spreading economic benefits to new regions.
- Community Empowerment: Wildlife tourism brings jobs, infrastructure, and revenue-sharing projects to local communities, ensuring conservation delivers real benefits.
- Global Awareness & Engagement: Naming a rhino creates a personal bond with conservation, attracting corporate sponsors and philanthropists who will champion Uganda’s efforts worldwide.
A Future with Rhinos
The ceremony also supports Uganda’s National Rhino Conservation and Management Strategy (2018-2028), which aims for steady growth in rhino populations. With more eyes on conservation, Uganda is ensuring that future generations will witness rhinos thriving in the wild once again.
At Maseke Adventures, we believe this historic event is a reminder that every safari is more than a journey—it is a chance to be part of Africa’s ongoing story of wildlife conservation.
You can get in touch with us to have a rhino trekking and big five safari in Uganda at masekeadventures@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256767638100.
