Uganda’s Historic Campaign to Save Its Rhinos

Uganda will hold its first-ever Rhino Naming Ceremony at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on 22 September 2025 a national drive to fund and celebrate rhino conservation.

The history of conservation is being made in Uganda. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities have started a high-profile campaign called "Name a Rhino / Name and Save a Rhino" that is focused at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola District as part of a national effort to protect the country's rhino population. On September 22, 2025, the campaign will come to a close with the nation's first Rhino Naming Ceremony, a public celebration and fundraising event aimed at increasing funds and awareness for rhino protection.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where visitors can reliably see southern white rhinos in a semi-wild setting. Founded as part of Uganda’s effort to restore rhinos after local extinctions decades ago, Ziwa has become the focal point of the species’ recovery and the natural venue for a naming campaign that engages communities, schools, philanthropists, companies and foreign supporters

How does the naming campaign work?

The initiative invites individuals and organizations to symbolically adopt and name rhino calves at Ziwa in return for financial contributions that will fund anti-poaching, veterinary care, habitat management and community conservation programs. The campaign has an ambitious fundraising target (widely reported at about USD 11 million) and packages designed for corporate sponsors, institutions and individual donors. The goal: convert public goodwill into sustained funding for the long-term protection and eventual reintroduction of rhinos into Uganda’s protected areas

National leaders and institutions are already lending support. Parliamentarians recently pledged funds and formally named one of the rhinos “Kira,” signaling strong political backing for the campaign. UWA and partners have also invited international diplomats, conservationists and private-sector actors to the September naming ceremony, which will highlight both Uganda’s conservation successes and the work still required to secure the species.

Speaker Anita Among leads lawmakers in supporting initiatives to increase the number of rhinos in Uganda from almost extinct to 48.

How you can get involved: Visit the official UWA “Name a Rhino” page to sign up for symbolic adoptions, find packages or register to attend the naming ceremony. Those who can’t adopt can still support by visiting Ziwa, spreading the campaign on social media, or donating through partner organizations. Check the UWA announcements for official registration and donation details.

This naming campaign is both a celebration and a reminder: species recovery takes long-term resources and public engagement. Naming when paired with good conservation practice and transparent funding can be a powerful tool for saving Uganda’s rhinos and ensuring future generations can see these giants in the wild.