Uganda joined the global community to celebrate World Tourism Day on 27th September 2025. The day’s theme; “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation” highlights tourism’s transformative potential as an agent of positive change in the world. National celebrations were held in Arua City, West Nile, chosen to highlight the untapped tourism potential of the region.
The annual commemorations were started by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in September 1979, with the event commencing in 1980. The day is intended to foster awareness among the international community on the importance of tourism and it’s social, cultural, political, and economic value.
By launching the ‘Name and Friend a Rhino’ campaign on this significant day, Uganda demonstrates its commitment to conservation and sustainable tourism. This campaign is a powerful symbol of hope, marking rhinos’ historic return and underscoring how conservation strengthens tourism, local economies, and Uganda’s international reputation.
Uganda was once home to both the black and northern white species of rhinoceros, and in the 1960s, the country was home to approximately 700 white rhinos. But when Idi Amin took over power in 1971, Uganda was plunged into political turmoil and lawlessness that enabled poaching and animal trafficking, which decimated the native rhino populations.
By the time the National Resistance Army/Movement took over in 1986, there were no rhinos left in Uganda. While addressing the rhino naming ceremony on World Rhino Day, 22 September 2025, the minister of tourism, Hon. Major (Rtd) Tom Butime highlighted this unfortunate loss, saying, “Many of us are aware that we had two species of rhinos in Uganda. But they were all exterminated (killed) by who….. ourselves! We have learnt bad and bitter lessons from the loss of our iconic species.”
It wasn’t only rhinos that had suffered catastrophic losses, but also elephants, buffalo, and lions. And like President Museveni said, “history taught us a permanent lesson: without peace and rule of law, a nation cannot protect its heritage or deliver prosperity to its citizens.” We failed to protect our rhinos due to wars and the instability of the time.
President Museveni took a firm stand to reintroduce rhinos in the country after restoring peace and rebuilding institutions. In 2006, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, in collaboration with other partners, secured four rhinos from Kenya and two from Florida USA and over the next three decades, Uganda has nurtured 50 rhinos to date. Of the 50 rhinos, 48 live in a controlled wild environment at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, while 2 reside at Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe.
Introducing the ‘Name and Friend a Rhino’ campaign has several benefits for conservation and tourism. Chief among them is global awareness of the plight facing these harmless and peaceful majestic animals. But also, participating teams, individuals, families, and companies adopt them and maintain a lifelong relationship with these animals and hence fund their care and well-being.
President Museveni has encouraged all Ugandans to embrace conservation through participating in the ‘name and friend a rhino’ campaign and contribute to their well-being, saying; “I invite Ugandans and friends of Uganda everywhere to participate. Every contribution matters; every coin counts. We shall maintain full transparency on how funds are used, with regular reporting and opportunities for supporters to see the impact of their contributions.”
The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary restoration efforts are paying off, with Uganda set to reintroduce rhinos back into the wild. The Uganda Wildlife Authority will be introducing them into Kidepo Valley National Park and Ajai Game Reserve, which has also been upgraded into a national park.
The President is heavily invested in the rhino conservation effort because the tragedy that befell them mirrors that of Uganda, their homeland. He reflected on this similarity, saying, “Fellow Ugandans, the story of the rhino is the story of Uganda. In times of chaos, we lost them. In times of peace, we brought them back. Under the NRM Government, we will not only protect this gain; we will convert it into jobs, incomes, and national pride, proof that security, good policy, and partnership produce results.”
The return of the rhino in Uganda is proof that the government’s concerted commitment and professionalism, engaging communities around wildlife sanctuaries, working with committed development partners, international conservation organizations, and the private sector, leads to a remarkable success in restoring and protecting endangered species.
Uganda welcomes the rhinos back into the wild, proudly celebrating a milestone in conservation and leadership on World Tourism Day 2025.
Magezi Kiriinjju
Communications Officer
Government Citizen Interaction Centre.
State House.
