Section
Recent wildlife coverage and related updates from across Uganda Online.
news 25 June 2026
Asega, a 28-year-old male chimpanzee renowned for his acrobatic skills, has died at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Preliminary findings suggest blunt force trauma to the head, likely sustained during natural morning activity. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/-iconic-chimpanzee-asega-28-dies-at-ngamba-island-5509458
environment 24 June 2026
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
travel 12 June 2026
Embogo Lodge in Uganda's Ishasha sector provides an escape to a tranquil wilderness, renowned for its unique tree-climbing lions and the opportunity to connect with both nature and local communities. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/travel/enjoy-the-untamed-beauty-of-ishasha-at-embogo-5492822
conservation 10 June 2026
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) have embarked on a collaborative management partnership for Kidepo Valley National Park. The AWF is set to inject up to $21 million into conservation efforts over 10 years, enhancing management effectiveness across the park and surrounding areas. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uwa-awf-partner-to-manage-kidepo-5492134
travel 7 June 2026
Drivers traveling on the Karuma-Pakwach highway, which cuts through Murchison Falls National Park, are urged to exercise extreme caution due to frequent elephant crossings, especially during dry seasons, to prevent accidents and ensure safety. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/karuma-pakwach-highway-how-to-avoid-encounter-with-elephants--5487902
conservation 21 May 2026
Uganda's iconic mountain gorillas, a species reliant on conservation efforts, face ongoing threats from infectious diseases, necessitating stringent protective measures for their survival. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/keep-our-mountain-gorillas-disease-free-5467724
news 16 May 2026
A four-year-old girl is in critical condition following a brutal chimpanzee attack near Katyobona Forest in Kagadi, reigniting community anger over escalating human-wildlife conflict and calls for government intervention. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/chimpanzee-critically-injures-four-year-old-girl-in-kagadi-5461496
environment 13 May 2026
Bugoma Forest Reserve, once a biodiversity hotspot, has suffered extensive degradation due to illegal activities and land encroachment. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has now been entrusted with its management and restoration. Source: https://observer.ug/news/can-uwa-save-and-restore-bugoma-forest
travel 12 May 2026
An encounter with chimpanzees in Kibale National Park proved to be a surreal experience, evoking a mix of initial fear and eventual awe as the primates displayed their complex social behaviors. Source: https://observer.ug/news/surreal-experience-with-chimps-inside-kibale-national-park
conservation 8 May 2026
While Uganda celebrates a resurgence in some wildlife populations like rhinos and buffaloes, critical species such as elephants and lions are declining due to habitat loss and increasing human pressures. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/travel/is-wildlife-recovery-being-met-with-growing-threats--5452494
wildlife 28 April 2026
Uganda's latest wildlife report shows gains for buffaloes, zebras and antelopes, but elephant and lion populations have dropped amid habitat pressures and human encroachment. Officials stress the need for intensified conservation to protect key species and ecosystems. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/lion-elephant-populations-drop-as-uganda-records-mixed-wildlife-gains-5440082
travel 18 April 2026
Irene Namubiru, distinct from the famous singer, transformed from selling chapati at a lakeside stall into a skilled bird guide at Mabamba Wetland after overcoming personal tragedies. Her dedication to conservation training has made her one of the few female experts leading tours to spot the iconic shoebill. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/travel/-the-motionless-posture-of-a-shoebill-is-a-beauty-to-behold--5427938
wildlife 15 April 2026
At 26, Dr. Nancy Masia, one of Uganda Wildlife Authority's youngest veterinary officers, joins a critical mission to relocate rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Ajai Wildlife Reserve, aiming to revive a species extinct due to poaching. Her journey from a nomadic childhood to frontline conservation highlights precision, courage, and a passion for protecting Uganda's wildlife. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/reviews-profiles/a-day-on-duty-with-vet-saving-uganda-s-rhinos-5425050
wildlife 10 April 2026
A violent split among chimpanzee groups in Uganda has resulted in 28 deaths, primarily targeting adult males and infants. The incident highlights the brutal nature of chimpanzee social dynamics. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/civil-war-deadly-split-rocks-chimpanzees-in-uganda-5419862
environment 7 April 2026
The iconic crested crane, a national symbol featured on Uganda's flag and sports teams, faces extinction due to a drastic population drop from over 100,000 in the 1970s to just 10,000 today. Farmers' crop raids, poisoning, and wetland destruction are major threats despite strict legal protections. Source: https://observer.ug/news/iconic-crested-crane-faces-extinction
wildlife 28 March 2026
George Owoyesigire, acting Commissioner of Wildlife Conservation, stresses that educating Ugandans about animals reduces destruction driven by fear and misunderstanding. He outlines strict legal frameworks for owning indigenous and exotic pets while pushing new regulations to prevent ecological harm and illegal trade. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/travel/wildlife-education-is-a-first-step-towards-co-existence-says-george-owoyesigire-5403608
news 22 March 2026
A three-month-old infant was killed by a chimpanzee in Wiliya Village, Budongo Sub-county, Masindi District, amid rising human-wildlife conflicts near Budongo Forest. Locals and leaders are calling for urgent measures like fencing and alternative resources to curb frequent attacks. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/chimpanzee-attack-kills-infant-in-masindi--5399162
conservation 17 March 2026
In a significant conservation achievement, rhinos have officially returned to Kidepo Valley National Park after being absent for over four decades. The initial phase involves the translocation of eight Southern White Rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Source: https://utb.go.ug/rhinos-return-to-kidepo-valley-national-park-after-43-years
tourism 3 March 2026
The Uganda Tourism Board is showcasing the nation's successful wildlife conservation efforts at ITB Berlin, focusing on the remarkable recovery of the white rhino and the thriving populations of mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. This success is largely attributed to a tourism-driven conservation model. Source: https://utb.go.ug/uganda-showcases-rhino-and-primate-conservation-success-at-itb-berlin
conservation 15 July 2025
Uganda Wildlife Authority's Acting Executive Director has charged the Rhino Translocation Team to execute the upcoming relocation of rhinos to Ajai Wildlife Reserve efficiently, emphasizing practical delivery and adherence to deadlines. Source: https://ugandawildlife.org/uwa-rhino-translocation-team-tasked-to-deliver-results