Roosevelt Rhino Campaign to Strengthen U.S.–Uganda Ties Through Conservation

New York — Uganda has officially launched the Roosevelt Rhino Campaign in the United States, using conservation diplomacy to deepen relations between Uganda and the U.S. while advancing global wildlife protection and heritage preservation.

The launch, held on December 18, 2025, marked a key outcome of the U.S.–Africa Business Connect – Roosevelt Africa Trail Summit, which took place earlier this month at the Explorers Club in Manhattan. The hybrid event was hosted at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uganda to the United Nations and moderated by Minister Counsellor Celia Nabeta.

The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from government, conservation authorities, academia, cultural institutions, and the private sector, underscoring the campaign’s multi-sectoral and international scope.

The Roosevelt Rhino Campaign draws inspiration from the 1909–1910 Smithsonian–Roosevelt African Expedition, highlighting how early scientific collections from Ajai in Northern Uganda continue to inform contemporary conservation science, habitat restoration, and adaptive wildlife management practices.

A major highlight of the launch was a live virtual link from Uganda, where Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Executive Director James Musinguzi joined from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to formally identify a three-year-old rhino calf named “Roosevelt.” The rhino will be officially named and christened in October 2026, symbolising a major milestone in Uganda’s rhino rewilding programme at Ajai Wildlife Reserve.

The launch convened key partners, including the American Chamber, AmCham Uganda, representatives of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, and the Theodore Roosevelt Centre. Conservation leaders from UWA, academics from Muni University, and local government representatives from Madi Okollo District also participated.

In a virtual address, H.E. Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, reaffirmed government support for the initiative.

“The Roosevelt Rhino Campaign is a strategic platform advancing conservation diplomacy, heritage preservation, and sustainable development,” Ambassador Ayebare said.

Ambassador Godfrey Kwoba, Deputy Permanent Representative, emphasised the need for coordinated, multi-stakeholder engagement to achieve lasting conservation outcomes.

“The Government of Uganda remains committed to strengthening international partnerships that promote wildlife conservation, cultural heritage, and inclusive growth,” Kwoba noted.

Mr Musinguzi said Uganda’s progress in rhino conservation reflects sustained investment, strong institutions, and trusted partnerships.

“Initiatives such as the Roosevelt Rhino Campaign help strengthen international understanding and support for wildlife recovery,” he said.

A central pillar of the campaign is the “Roosevelt Encounters Africa” children’s book series, beginning with A Rhino Named Roosevelt, developed in partnership with NABU. The series uses storytelling to promote conservation education, youth engagement, and heritage tourism along the historic Roosevelt Africa Trail, while building long-term public support for rhino protection and rewilding.

Through global engagements linked to the Roosevelt Africa Trail, the campaign aims to mobilise USD 5 million under UWA’s Name a Rhino Initiative, supporting sustainable rhino rewilding while advancing conservation diplomacy, heritage tourism, and community-based socio-economic development in Uganda.