A Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officer has been recognised at the 2023 African Conservation Awards which took place on Saturday, September 16, at the Southern African Wildlife College in Greater Kruger, South Africa.
Joseph Serugo Ssalongo, 65, Honorary Wildlife Officer, emerged as the first runner-up in the Best Conservation Supporter category.
Serugo is a retired Wildlife Officer having worked in the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) from 1990 to 2007. In UWA, he was Chief Warden of various National Parks/Conservation Areas across Uganda.
Since retirement, Joseph has been a farmer and a conservationist not only in his subregion but also as a national figure. At home, he is Chairman of Kayirabwa Chimpanzee Conservancy whose main goal is to protect chimpanzees, other wildlife species and habitats outside Protected Areas.
At a National level, Serugo is one of the founder members of Umoja Wildlife Conservancies of Uganda (UWCU). He has written a book “Episodes and Tribulations of the African Ranger – A Tale of Tales by a Veteran Conservationist”.
The second runner-up in the same category was the African Pangolin Working Group, South Africa. The winner of this category was Rhino Man, South Africa.
The awards were hosted by the Game Rangers’ Association of Africa (GRAA) and sponsored by Chinese New Enterprise Investment (CNEI).
This prestigious event honoured outstanding conservationists and showcased their exceptional contributions to protecting Africa’s natural heritage.
The Winners for the 2023 African Conservation Awards are:
Best Field Ranger
Winner: Nkateko Letti Mzimba, Sergeant of Black Mambas Unit, Olifants West Nature Reserve, South Africa
1st Runner Up: Givemore Bako, Senior Ranger and Head Rhino Monitor, Savé Valley Conservancy, Zimbabwe
2nd Runner Up: Reginah Smith, Corporal of the Rhino Protection Unit, Pilanesberg Game Reserve, South Africa
Best Game Ranger
Winner: Amos Gwema, Principle Investigation and Security Officer, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Zimbabwe
1st Runner Up: Petronella Chigumbura, Deputy Ranger Supervisor, Akashinga, Zimbabwe
2nd Runner Up: Orlat Ndlovu, Head of Ranger Services, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa
Best Conservation Team
Winner: Wildlife Action Group, Thuma Forest Reserve and the Dedza Salima Escarpment Forest Reserve, Malawi
1st Runner Up: Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
2nd Runner Up: Zinave National Park, Mozambique
Best Conservation Supporter
Winner: Rhino Man, South Africa
1st Runner Up: Joseph Serugo Ssalongo, Honorary Wildlife Officer, Uganda
2nd Runner-Up: African Pangolin Working Group, South Africa
The 2023 African Conservation Awards celebrated these exceptional individuals and organisations for their unwavering commitment to preserving Africa’s natural heritage.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the morning of the event witnessed the Game Rangers Association of Africa hosting the South Africa Hub Regional Challenge of the Wildlife Ranger Challenge.
This unique sporting event took place at the South African Wildlife College, where rangers and their supporters united to run a challenging 21 kilometres in solidarity with wildlife rangers across Africa.
The primary objective of this initiative is to raise crucial funds in support of the courageous men and women on the front lines of Africa’s protected areas.
