Uganda has taken a significant leap toward restoring its rhino population with the official handover of the Rhino Sanctuary in Kidepo Valley National Park to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
The newly completed 18.2-square-kilometer fenced sanctuary is a key component of the country’s National Rhino Conservation and Management Strategy, a national plan designed to return rhinos to protected landscapes where they historically roamed.
The sanctuary was formally handed over by Northern Rangelands Trust, whose CEO, Vishal Shah, presented the completion report to Charles Tumwesigye.
The transfer places management of the facility under UWA, enabling the authority to begin the next phase of Uganda’s rhino recovery program.
In the coming weeks, white rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary will be relocated to the new sanctuary in Kidepo.
The relocation is expected to:
- Strengthen Uganda’s rhino conservation capacity
- Establish a breeding population in northeastern Uganda
- Lay the groundwork for the future reintroduction of black rhinos
Black rhinos once roamed the region but disappeared from the landscape more than 40 years ago due to poaching and habitat pressures.
The sanctuary project was funded by Northern Rangelands Trust with support from several conservation partners, including:
- Great Plains Foundation
- Rhino Recovery Fund
- Gatinais Foundation
- WildLandscapes International
- Uganda Conservation Foundation
Additional funding came from the European Union through its NaturAfrica programme.
These partnerships highlight the growing role of international collaboration in African wildlife conservation.
Local communities were also deeply involved in the sanctuary’s development. Members of the Morungole Community Conservancy helped construct sections of the protective fence and participated in broader conservation initiatives across the surrounding landscape.
Their involvement reflects a growing recognition that community engagement is essential for sustainable wildlife protection.
The completion and handover of the Kidepo rhino sanctuary mark a critical milestone in Uganda’s long-term effort to reintroduce rhinos into the wild.
By combining government leadership, international conservation partnerships, and community participation, Uganda is taking concrete steps toward restoring one of Africa’s most iconic species to its natural habitat.