environment 24 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ngamba Sanctuary Appeals for Urgent Chimpanzee Habitat Protection Amid Rising Threats
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is renewing its call for stronger conservation efforts as habitat loss, poaching, and human encroachment endanger Uganda's chimpanzee population. The sanctuary currently houses 55 rescued chimpanzees and highlights the critical need for collective action. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/travel/ngamba-sanctuary-renews-protection-call-amid-rising-habitat-losses-5507190
Conservationists have sounded an alarm regarding the escalating threats to Uganda’s chimpanzees, urging for enhanced protection measures. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a vital refuge for orphaned and rescued primates, is at the forefront of this appeal, highlighting that rampant habitat destruction and illegal wildlife trade continue to jeopardize the species’ survival.
The sanctuary, located on Lake Victoria, approximately 23 kilometers from Entebbe, provides a safe haven for 55 chimpanzees saved from poaching, deforestation, and human-wildlife conflicts. Despite ongoing conservation initiatives, the sanctuary’s manager, Mr. Aaron Bataamye, stressed that chimpanzee populations remain extremely vulnerable. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies chimpanzees as an endangered species, underscoring the urgent need for united human efforts to prevent their extinction.
Uganda is estimated to be home to between 3,500 and 5,000 Eastern chimpanzees in the wild. However, conservation experts caution that forest degradation, agricultural expansion, and poaching are placing immense pressure on these dwindling populations. The sanctuary, established in 1998, has become a significant eco-tourism and conservation site, drawing around 25,000 visitors annually.
Caring for the rescued chimpanzees is a costly endeavor, requiring substantial resources for food, veterinary care, habitat upkeep, and security. In a significant contribution, the Ruparelia Foundation has donated Shs50 million to support the sanctuary’s operations. Businessman Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia emphasized that conservation is a shared responsibility. He also honored his late son, Rajiv Ruparelia, by naming a seven-month-old chimpanzee “RR” at the sanctuary, symbolizing a continuation of his son’s commitment to legacy and generosity.
The appeal for protection comes as environmental crime globally is on the rise, posing a significant threat to wildlife heritage. Stricter enforcement and harsher penalties for traffickers are deemed crucial to safeguarding Uganda’s natural treasures.