The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has launched a robust conservation initiative dubbed ‘name a Rhino, save a Rhino’ at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola District.
Members of Parliament were informed by the sector state minister that the initiative offers the public a chance to symbolically adopt and name rhinos while contributing to their protection.
“By naming a rhino, you are not just giving it an identity, you are giving it a future,” he said. “This campaign is about linking every Ugandan to our endangered species and ensuring their survival for generations to come,” said Hon. Martin Mugarra, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (Tourism).
The minister was presenting statements on the campaign and World Tourism Day celebrations during the Wednesday, 10 September 2025 plenary sitting, chaired by Speaker Anita Among.
Mugarra said the initiative will raise funds to support anti-poaching patrols, ranger training, veterinary care, and community development programmes around Zziwa, which is home to Uganda’s only white rhinos.
He observed that the campaign is timely not only as a precursor to World Tourism Day celebrations, but also in positioning Uganda as a peculiar tourism destination.
“In spotlighting conservation efforts such as the Rhino naming ceremony, we are reaffirming our commitment to tourism that is inclusive, regionally balanced, and community-driven, in line with our national development agenda,” the minister added.
Mugarra hailed the promising performance of the tourism sector, which he said contributes 5.7 percent of Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product, while employing 7.2 percent of the country’s workforce as of 2024.
In response to MPs concerns regarding wildlife-human conflict, the minister remarked that government has fenced several wildlife protected areas including Nwoya, Oyam, Buliisa, Masindi, Kasese among other districts.
“We have erected electric fences in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks. We are adding 100 kilometres around Murchison Falls,” said Mugarra adding that “We are scheduled to work on 128 kilometres of Karenga covering Karamoja and Kitgum districts.”
The Koboko Municipality MP, Hon. Charles Ayume, took the chance to tip government of Uganda’s potential in medical tourism.
“Uganda should be ready to pitch high in medical tourism in the next few years. We see Uganda as a big tourism destination because of the capacity we have built in contrast with our neighbours, such that we do not have to go to Kenya for medical treatment anymore,” he said.
