Uganda has launched a landmark wildlife conservation effort with the reintroduction of rhinos to Kidepo Valley National Park, 43 years after the species disappeared from the area.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) on Tuesday commenced the translocation of Southern White Rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to the remote northeastern park.
The exercise will see a total of eight rhinos relocated, starting with two individuals flagged off earlier in the day.
UWA Executive Director James Musinguzi presided over the flag-off ceremony, describing the move as a major milestone in Uganda’s conservation journey.
“This moment marks the beginning of a new rhino story for Kidepo Valley National Park. The translocation of these rhinos is the first step in restoring a species that once formed part of the park’s natural heritage. Over time, additional rhinos will be introduced to gradually rebuild a viable and thriving rhino population in Kidepo,” Dr. Musinguzi said.
He noted that the exercise aligns with the National Rhino Conservation Strategy for Uganda, which provides a framework for restoring rhino populations within their historical range and strengthening long-term conservation efforts.
According to Dr. Musinguzi, the decision to reintroduce rhinos follows a feasibility study conducted by UWA that assessed habitat suitability, ecological requirements, and security conditions.
The study identified Kidepo Valley National Park as one of the most suitable sites for reintroduction.
Extensive preparations have been undertaken to receive the animals, including the establishment of a secure sanctuary equipped with perimeter fencing, access roads, firebreaks, ranger facilities, water infrastructure, and monitoring systems to ensure effective protection and management.
Dr. Musinguzi also hailed the contribution of conservation partners in making the exercise possible.
“We are deeply grateful to our conservation partners whose technical expertise, financial support, and logistical contributions have made this milestone possible. The return of rhinos to Kidepo demonstrates the power of partnerships in restoring species and protecting Uganda’s wildlife heritage,” he said.
The Commissioner for Biodiversity Management at UWA, John Makombo, underscored the ecological importance of the reintroduction.
“Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s most intact savannah ecosystems, and the reintroduction of Southern White Rhinos restores a key component of that ecosystem. This reintroduction strengthens not only species recovery but also ecosystem integrity and resilience,” he said.
The initiative is supported by conservation groups including Wild Landscapes East Africa, Northern Rangelands Trust, and Uganda Conservation Foundation, which have contributed to sanctuary development, infrastructure, equipment, and logistical planning.
Upon arrival in Kidepo, the rhinos will first be placed in a secure sanctuary within the park, where trained rangers and veterinary teams will closely monitor them to ensure successful adaptation.
Rhinos once roamed widely across the Kidepo Valley ecosystem but were wiped out due to intense poaching and insecurity in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The last rhino in the park was killed in 1983 in Narus Valley, ending their presence for more than four decades.
Uganda’s rhino recovery efforts began in 2005 with the establishment of a breeding programme at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary after the species became extinct in the wild nationally.
The programme’s success, coupled with the recent importation of eight rhinos from South Africa, has enabled expansion into other suitable habitats. Uganda’s rhino population currently stands at 61.
Officials say the return of rhinos to Kidepo is expected to boost biodiversity conservation, enhance tourism potential, and contribute to national efforts to restore endangered species within their historic ecosystems.
