The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has started a phased translocation of rhinos to Ajai Wildlife Reserve in northern Uganda as part of a national programme to restore the species to parts of its former range.
Four southern white rhinos have been relocated from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in the first phase of the plan, which will eventually see 20 rhinos established at Ajai under the National Rhino Conservation Strategy. UWA says the move is intended to strengthen rhino recovery efforts while expanding Uganda’s conservation and tourism portfolio.
Commenting on the milestone, UWA Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi said the translocation marks a new chapter in Uganda’s conservation journey.
“The return of rhinos to Ajai is a proud and emotional moment for Uganda. It reflects years of dedicated conservation work and a highly successful breeding programme at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where our rhino population has steadily grown under careful protection. This next step strengthens species recovery and restores an important part of our natural heritage for future generations.”
“This translocation has been done with a lot of care and sensitivity. The four rhinos are healthy and are now in Ajai Wildlife Reserve,” said Mr. Bashir Hangi, UWA’s Assistant Commissioner for Communications. The animals are currently being kept in a temporary holding facility within the reserve to allow them to adjust to the new environment before full release.
“They have never been in this ecosystem before, so acclimatisation is critical. We are monitoring them closely to see how they respond before we bring the remaining 16 rhinos,” Mr. Hangi said. He said UWA’s ecological monitoring and veterinary teams are tracking the animals’ health, movement, and feeding patterns to ensure they settle well.
“The idea of moving them in phases is to reduce risk. We want to be certain that everything is stable before proceeding with the next group,” Mr. Hangi added. Security arrangements at Ajai have also been strengthened, with UWA acknowledging that rhinos require a higher level of protection due to the risk of poaching.
“Rhino security is completely different from that of other wildlife. These animals are being tracked 24 hours a day, and ranger teams are moving with them at all times,” Mr. Hangi added. UWA is constructing a fenced sanctuary within the reserve, fitted with monitoring systems to detect breaches, while rangers have been equipped to respond quickly to any threats.
The authority has also engaged neighbouring communities through meetings, radio programmes, and mobile sensitisation campaigns to build local support for the project.
“We want communities to feel that these rhinos belong to them,” Mr. Hangi said. “When communities are involved, they become an additional layer of security.”
Ajai was selected following feasibility studies that identified it as one of several suitable sites for rhino reintroduction, alongside Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls national parks.
UWA says the Ajai translocation is part of a broader, long-term plan to re-establish rhinos in multiple protected areas across the country.