🔊 Habitat restoration paves way for rhinos’ return to Ajai Wildlife Reserve

MADI OKOLLO - Ajai Wildlife Reserve in Madi Okollo is stirring back to life as plans to reintroduce white rhinos gather pace.

Once a thriving home for the species before poachers drove them to extinction, the reserve is now undergoing sweeping restoration ahead of the rhinos’ highly anticipated comeback.

By the time Ajai Reserve was gazetted in 1965, it was home to 60 of Uganda’s remaining 80 white rhinos, but the species later became extinct there as a result of poaching.

Currently, Uganda’s only surviving white rhinos are kept at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch in Nakasongola district. A total of 22 rhinos is expected to be relocated from Ziwa to Ajai by December this year.

Ahead of their return, 226 Uganda kobs and 20 buffalo were introduced to Ajai to help clear the tall grasses. Habitat restoration has also included the management of the reserve and grooming of different tree species in preparation for the rhinos’ reintroduction.

Night Zahara, the Madi Okollo district tourism officer, highlighted some of the major projects currently underway.



District male youth councillor for Madi Okollo, Fred Okello Ayikobua, urged young people to seize opportunities from the development, describing it as a potential game-changer for their lives.



Some leaders and elders in Madi Okollo expressed optimism but also raised concerns, particularly regarding compensation and access to game resources within the reserve.



On compensation for the 11 families settled within the reserve, Zahara explained that valuation has already been carried out, and compensation will soon be completed before the families, mostly from Degia Village, vacate the area.

Beyond its animal population, Ajai Game Reserve is also home to numerous bird species, making it an attractive site for bird watching.

Officially established in 1965, the reserve was named Ajai in the 1930s after a local chief who first managed it.