UWA rangers offloading one of the Rhinos that was trans-relocated to Kidepo NP. Photos by Jimmy Komakech
By Jimmy Komakech
Kidepo: The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has commenced the historic reintroduction of rhinos to Kidepo Valley National Park, marking the return of the species 43 years after the last rhino was sighted in the area.
The Executive Director of UWA, Dr. James Musinguzi, on Tuesday flagged off the translocation of the first two Southern White Rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Kidepo Valley National Park. A total of eight rhinos are scheduled to be relocated to the park.
Dr. Musinguzi described the exercise as a major milestone in Uganda’s conservation journey. He noted that the translocation marks the beginning of restoring a species that once formed part of Kidepo’s natural heritage, with plans to introduce additional rhinos over time to rebuild a viable and thriving population.
He added 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 reintroduction is also informed by a feasibility study conducted by UWA, which assessed suitable habitats, ecological requirements, and security conditions for restoring rhinos in protected areas. The study identified Kidepo Valley National Park as one of the most suitable locations for reintroduction.
Extensive groundwork has been undertaken to prepare the park for the return of the species. This includes the establishment of a secure rhino sanctuary with perimeter fencing, access roads, firebreaks, ranger facilities, water infrastructure, and monitoring systems to ensure effective protection and management of the animals.
Dr. Musinguzi expressed appreciation to conservation partners for their role in the initiative, citing their technical expertise, financial support, and logistical contributions as critical to the milestone.
The Commissioner for Biodiversity Management at UWA, John Makombo, emphasized the ecological and operational significance of the reintroduction.
He noted that restoring rhinos is a key step toward enhancing the ecological completeness of Kidepo, one of Uganda’s most intact savannah ecosystems, and contributes to ecosystem integrity and resilience.
The reintroduction effort is supported by Wild Landscapes East Africa (WLEA), Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), and Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF). These partners have contributed to sanctuary development, infrastructure preparation, equipment provision, and logistical planning necessary for the successful translocation and long-term protection of the rhinos.
Upon arrival at Kidepo Valley National Park, the rhinos will initially be placed in a secure sanctuary within the park, where they will be closely monitored by trained rangers and veterinary teams to support their adaptation to the new environment.
Historical back ground
Rhinos once roamed widely across the Kidepo Valley ecosystem. However, due to intense poaching and insecurity during the late 1970s and early 1980s, the species was wiped out from the area.
The last rhino in Kidepo was killed in Narus Valley in 1983, marking the end of their presence in the park for more than four decades.
Uganda’s rhino recovery efforts began in 2005 with the establishment of a breeding programme at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, following the extinction of rhinos in the wild in Uganda.
The success recorded at Ziwa, coupled with the importation of an additional eight rhinos from South Africa late last year, has enabled gradual expansion of restoration efforts to other suitable habitats. Uganda’s rhino population currently stands at 61.
The return of rhinos to Kidepo Valley National Park is expected to strengthen biodiversity conservation, enhance the park’s tourism potential, and contribute to broader national efforts to restore endangered wildlife species within their historic ecosystems.
