Conservationists have renewed urgent calls for stronger protection of Uganda’s endangered chimpanzees, warning that rampant habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trafficking, and increasing human encroachment continue to threaten the species’ survival.
The appeal was made at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary during an event highlighting the plight of the primates. The rescue and rehabilitation center currently provides a safe haven to 55 orphaned and rescued chimpanzees saved from poaching, deforestation, and human-wildlife conflict.
Officials at the sanctuary noted that despite years of rigorous conservation campaigns, chimpanzee populations remain highly vulnerable. The species is currently listed as “Endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“Chimpanzees are one of the animals listed by IUCN as endangered. We therefore have to join efforts together as humans to ensure they do not become extinct. Human activities still highly threaten the survival of our wildlife, yet they serve purposes of tourism among others,” said Mr. Aaron Bataamye, the Sanctuary Manager.
Uganda is estimated to host between 3,500 and 5,000 Eastern chimpanzees in the wild. However, conservationists warn that continued forest degradation, agricultural expansion, and illegal poaching are putting immense pressure on these remaining populations.
Located about 23 kilometers southwest of Entebbe on Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established in 1998 to care for chimpanzees rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and other threats. Over nearly three decades, the sanctuary has grown into one of Uganda’s premier eco-tourism and conservation sites, attracting approximately 25,000 visitors annually.
Mr Bataamye emphasized that managing the rescued primates is a costly venture. Caring for them requires significant resource mobilization, including funding for daily food, specialized veterinary services, habitat maintenance, and continuous security monitoring.
In a significant boost to the sanctuary’s operations, the Ruparelia Foundation has donated Shs50 million towards the care and protection of the chimpanzees at the island.
Speaking at the handover, businessman Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia stated that conservation requires a collective responsibility from individuals, corporate entities, and institutions to ensure future generations inherit a biodiverse country.
Mr. Ruparelia also used the occasion to honor the legacy of his late son, Rajiv Ruparelia, who passed away recently.
‘Rajiv understood the business and the success of society through creating opportunities and leaving something memorable behind. We are extending his generosity and responsibility into the future,’ Mr. Ruparelia said, adding that chimpanzees, like humans, are highly intelligent, emotional, and social beings that require safe habitats to thrive.
In memory of the late businessman, the sanctuary officially named its youngest resident-a male chimpanzee born on November 29, 2025-as “RR”.
The fight to protect Uganda’s wildlife comes amid a booming global black market. According to data from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, environmental crime has risen to become the third-largest criminal economy in the world, trailing only behind counterfeiting and drug trafficking.
The illicit trade generates between USD 110 billion and USD 281 billion annually, growing at a worrying rate of 5 to 7 percent each year. Conservationists argue that without stringent enforcement and stiffer penalties for traffickers, Uganda risks losing its vital wildlife heritage.