Rhino naming on 22nd September 2025 at Ziwa Rhino Tracking.
On September 22, 2025, Uganda is poised to make history with it’s first-ever Rhino Naming Ceremony at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This beautiful and wonderful is more than a simple ceremony; it is a powerful symbol of the nation’s remarkable conservation journey, a celebration of its successes, and a major call to action for the future of its rhino population. The ceremony will be a cornerstone of the country’s ambitious ‘’Name A Rhino’’ campaign, a five year program designed to secure the long-term survival of a species that was once completely out from Uganda’s wild.
A story of revival: From Extinction to 48 Rhinos.
The history of rhinos in Uganda is a powerful lesson in both loss and recovery. Over many past years of civil and then much of poaching in 1970’s and 80’s led to the complete extinction of rhinos in the wild by 1982. For years, these magnificent creatures were only a memory in Uganda. The turning point came in 2006 with the establishment of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a joint effort by Rhino Fund Uganda and then Uganda and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Six southern white rhinos were brought in from Kenya and then United Stated to establish a breeding program.
Since then, the sanctuary has become a shining example of the conservation success. With round the clock protection and then dedicated care, the rhino population has grown steadily. Today, Uganda has a total of 48 rhinos, with 46 of them residing at Ziwa. The upcoming ceremony will specifically focus on naming 17 rhino calves and among others that were born at the sanctuary. This growth is an appreciation to the hard work of the rangers, veterinarians, and then conservationists who have brought the species back from the brink.
The ‘’Name A Rhino’’ Campaign: A Legacy of Conservation.
The Rhino Naming Ceremony is the main event of the ‘’Name A Rhino’’ campaign, a crucial fundraising effort that aims to raise 11 USD million (UGX 40 billion). The campaign’s goal is to ensure the long-term sustainability of the rhino population. The funds raised from the naming rights will be used for a number of the important activities including;
Habitat Expansion and Protection; Ensuring the rhinos have enough land to live and survive.
Anti-poaching measures; Providing better equipment, training, and then technology for the rangers who protect the rhinos from the poachers.
Veterinary Care and Monitoring; Ensuring the health and then well-being of every rhino in the sanctuary.
Community Conservation Programs; Working with the local communities to raise awareness about the importance of rhinos and then providing them with the economic benefits from tourism.
The ceremony offers individuals, companies and others a unique chance to become a part of this conservation story. By ‘’adopting’’ and naming a rhino, they are not just giving it an identity; they are securing its future and leaving a lasting legacy in the fight to protect Uganda’s natural heritage.
A bold step: Reintroduction to the wild.
The naming ceremony will also make the start of the new and then exciting chapter; the reintroduction of the rhinos into national park. The plan is to translocate a group of rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Ajai Wildlife Reserve in the northern Uganda. This is a monumental step, as it will be the first time in over 40 years that rhinos will move freely in the national park within the country
The reintroduction is a major component of Uganda’s big national rhino conservation and then management strategy. The move is expected to not only give the rhinos a larger, more natural habitats but also to expand tourism to the West Nile region, thus bringing economic benefits to local communities and then strengthening Uganda’s safari circuit. The ceremony, therefore, serves a dual purpose; it celebrates the past achievements and launches a bold new phase for the future of conservation in Uganda. This event will be presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, highlighting the government’s strong commitment to this important conservation effort.
For more information about the Naming celebration at Ziwa rhino sanctuary in 2025, or any other information like the close by safari destination, do not hesitate to contact us Nyumbu Beyond Journeys our senior tour consultants are available to advise you than then take you through the safaris and tours in the ‘’Pearl of Africa’’ that will offer you unforgettable Uganda safari memories in your entire life.