Diana Museveni takes over from First Lady as Chimpanzee Trust patron

16th July 2024

Kyaremera who has taken over from her mother, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, was unveiled during the Chimpanzee Day celebrations on Ngamba Island. The celebrations are marked yearly on July 14 since its inception in 2018.

Diana Museveni Kyaremera (middle) posing for a photo with (L-R) Dr Joshua Rukundo, the Executive Director Chimpanzee Trust, Dr James Musinguzi, the Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), and James Byamukama, the Executive Director of the Dr. Jane Goodall Institute. (Credit: Chimpanzee Trust)
NewVision Reporter
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#Chimpanzee Trust #Diana Museveni #Patron

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Chimpanzee Trust, a non-governmental organisation that manages Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria, on Sunday, unveiled Diana Museveni Kyaremera as its new patron.

Kyaremera who has taken over from her mother, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, was unveiled during the Chimpanzee Day celebrations on Ngamba Island. The celebrations are marked yearly on July 14 since its inception in 2018.

When she arrived on the island a few minutes before 1:00 pm, she was taken on a tour around the sanctuary by the Chimpanzee Trust team led by the executive director, Dr Joshua Rukundo.

As the Chimpanzees came into view, the group was collectively awestruck. There are about 54 Chimpanzees in the sanctuary. (Credit: Chimpanzee Trust)

As the Chimpanzees came into view, the group was collectively awestruck. There are about 54 Chimpanzees in the sanctuary. (Credit: Chimpanzee Trust)



As you approach the island, you are struck by the scenic 100-acre (40-hectare) rainforest that covers most of its surface. You will also find an advanced infrastructure designed to safeguard the chimpanzees and luxurious, well-thatched cottages The island’s design is a perfect balance between preserving nature and providing a welcoming space.

Kyaremera was escorted to a special viewing area at the sanctuary, where she was treated to a thrilling encounter with the chimpanzees. Following closely behind her was a group of winners selected from various campaigns run by Chimpanzee Trust to participate in the exclusive Chimpanzee Day experience at the sanctuary.

As the chimpanzees came into view, the group was collectively awestruck. The excitement escalated when the caregivers initiated a lively fruit and vegetable toss, sparking a playful competition among the chimpanzees. There are about 54 chimpanzees in the sanctuary.

Chimpanzee Trust executive director Dr Joshua Rukundo explaining to Diana Museveni Kyaremera as she looked at the Chimpanzee. (Credit: Chimpanzee Trust)

Chimpanzee Trust executive director Dr Joshua Rukundo explaining to Diana Museveni Kyaremera as she looked at the Chimpanzee. (Credit: Chimpanzee Trust)



With eager eyes and outstretched hands, they vied for the treats, their enthusiasm and agility leaving everyone delighted and mesmerised.

Their behaviour was human-like, a testament to their status as our closest genetic relatives in the animal kingdom, sharing 98.7% of our DNA. The experience left everyone in awe, delighted by the intelligence and charm of these incredible creatures.

Unveiling new patron

After the encounter with the chimpanzees, it was time to unveil the new patron, Kyaremera, who takes over from her mother, the First Lady, Mrs. Museveni. She has been the patron since October 3, 1999.

A new plaque inscribed with the new patron’s names (Diana Museveni Kyaremera) replacing her mother and the First Lady, Janet Kataha Museveni. (Credit: Chimpanzee Trust)

A new plaque inscribed with the new patron’s names (Diana Museveni Kyaremera) replacing her mother and the First Lady, Janet Kataha Museveni. (Credit: Chimpanzee Trust)



“I am humbled to take over the role of the patron of the Chimpanzee Trust. I am grateful for the trust that Mama Janet who is the patron emeritus and the board have placed in me. It’s a role I don’t take lightly and I am committed to fulfilling it to the best of my ability,” she said.

Diana Museveni Kyaremera signing on the new Chimpanzee Trust logo. (Credit: Chimpanzee Trust)

Diana Museveni Kyaremera signing on the new Chimpanzee Trust logo. (Credit: Chimpanzee Trust)



She was full of praises for the men and women who have dedicated their lives to studying and protecting wildlife, adding that “it is a thankless job but the generations that come after us will be grateful that you have been diligent in preserving these magnificent and intelligent species for posterity.”

“On July 14, 1960, D. Jane Goodall set foot for the first time on the shores of Gombe National Park in Tanzania. World Chimpanzee Day was created to commemorate this day 64 years ago. We thank Dr Goodall for the tireless efforts she and people like her have made in the last six decades to raise awareness about this unique species and to improve their welfare both in the wild and captivity,” she stated.

Endangered species

In her speech, she also pointed out that the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified chimps as an endangered species.

“100 years ago, there were between 1 to 2 million chimps across 25 countries on the African continent. Today, there are less than 350,000 chimps across Africa. The population of chimps here in Uganda is about 5000,” she noted.

She blamed human population growth across the continent and the cutting down of forests as a major cause of the decline in the number of chimps since they lose their habitat to humans.

Diana Museveni Kyaremera addressing the congregation after being unveiled as the new patron of Chimpanzee Trust. (Credit: Chimpanzee Trust)

Diana Museveni Kyaremera addressing the congregation after being unveiled as the new patron of Chimpanzee Trust. (Credit: Chimpanzee Trust)



“Poaching for bush meat is another major threat to the survival of chimps as well as the illegal trafficking of infant chimps as pets or the sale of live animals headed to the zoo around the world or for the entertainment world. The chimps have also become susceptible to human diseases as we humans venture further into their forests and habitats.”

She said World Chimpanzee Day is not only held to celebrate “our closest animal relatives but also to raise awareness about these threats to their survival. It can also be used to promote the welfare of chimps in captivity. We all need to participate in the care and conservation of these animals.”

National conservation strategy

In November of last year, the National Chimpanzee Conservation Strategy was launched at a fundraising dinner hosted by President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe.

Their behaviour was human-like, a testament to their status as our closest genetic relatives in the animal kingdom, sharing 98.7% of our DNA. (Credit: Chimpanzee Trust)

Their behaviour was human-like, a testament to their status as our closest genetic relatives in the animal kingdom, sharing 98.7% of our DNA. (Credit: Chimpanzee Trust)



According to Kyaremera, it was a “successful fundraising event and we managed to raise quite a bit of money towards this 10 years’ strategy to conserve chimps in Uganda. But we all need to get involved in conservation if we are to reverse this decline in wildlife numbers.”

“I would also like to reiterate the words that the President made during a conservation conference in Nanyuki, Kenya in 2017. He said the best way to ensure the conservation of our wildlife is to invest in eco-tourism. Our tourism sector right now accounts for 7.6% of our GDP and 6.7% of employment.

Our wildlife is our biggest tourism product. The more we invest in our tourism, the more foreign exchange we earn as a country and the more vested interest we would have to conserve our wildlife,” she said.

According to James Byamukama, a member of the board of Chimpanzee Trust and executive director of the Dr Jane Goodall Institute, the Chimpanzee Conservation Strategy is a 10-year strategy with a budget of over $110 million.

He said during the State House Entebbe fundraising dinner, they raised over sh1.6 billion which was the beginning of the journey towards implementing the strategy.

According to Dr Rukundo, the strategy was launched, but the implementation structure hasn’t been put in place yet, adding that it’s under the purview of the tourism ministry which will set up a committee or secretariat that will see the implementation of the strategy and then the implementation will proceed.

“We hope that before the end of the year, the committee will be in place and we will start implementing because this strategy is from 2024 until 10 years.”

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