UWA Begins Rhino Translocation to Kidepo Valley National Park After 43 Years

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) on Tuesday flagged off the translocation of two Southern White Rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to the remote park in the Karamoja sub-region, launching what officials described as a landmark moment in the country’s conservation history. A total of eight rhinos will make the journey in the coming days.

The last rhino in Kidepo was killed in Narus Valley in 1983, driven out by a combination of intense poaching and the insecurity that gripped northern Uganda during that era. Tuesday’s translocation marks 43 years since the species was last seen in the area.

UWA Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi flagged off the first two animals at a ceremony in Kampala, calling it the beginning of a new chapter for the park. He said additional rhinos would be introduced over time to build a viable population, with the long-term goal of restoring a thriving herd within Kidepo’s boundaries.

“This moment marks the beginning of a new rhino story for Kidepo Valley National Park,” he said.

The move is part of Uganda’s National Rhino Conservation Strategy, which sets out a national framework for returning rhinos to the landscapes they historically occupied. A feasibility study conducted by UWA assessed suitable habitats, ecological conditions, and security arrangements across several protected areas before identifying Kidepo as among the most suitable sites.

Preparations at the park have been underway for some time. A secure sanctuary has been set up, complete with perimeter fencing, ranger posts, water infrastructure, access roads, firebreaks, and monitoring systems. When the animals arrive, they will be held within that sanctuary and watched closely by rangers and veterinary staff as they settle into their new environment.

Commissioner for Biodiversity Management John Makombo said the reintroduction addresses a gap in the park’s ecology. Kidepo is widely regarded as one of Uganda’s most intact savannah ecosystems, and officials say the return of rhinos restores a species that was once a natural part of that landscape.

The translocation was made possible with support from Wild Landscapes East Africa, Northern Rangelands Trust, and Uganda Conservation Foundation, which contributed to sanctuary construction, equipment, and logistical planning.

Uganda’s rhino recovery programme began in 2005 when a breeding herd was established at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary following the species’ extinction in the wild. That programme has grown steadily, and late last year Uganda imported eight additional rhinos from South Africa. The country now has 61 rhinos in total.

Officials say the return of rhinos to Kidepo is expected to boost the park’s tourism appeal alongside its conservation value, adding a significant draw to a park that already attracts visitors for its lions, elephants, and sweeping landscapes.