The Ngamba Island chimpanzees sanctuary on Tuesday (August 23) celebrated a silver anniversary.

Over the last 25 years, the island has received several orphaned and rescued chimpanzees with a few born at the sanctuary.

Currently, the sanctuary is home to 53 chimpanzees.

New Vision senior journalist Gerald Tenywa (R) was among the people who were awarded.

The silver jubilee celebrations were held at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala. The celebrations are aimed at raising awareness about the importance of conserving chimpanzees and their natural habitats.

The celebrations were under the theme: Partnerships for Co-existence, to promote the need for humans and wildlife to live in harmony in shared environments.

Ethologist Dr Jane Goodall, who was the chief guest, recalled her first encounter with a tortured chimpanzee in a market in DR. Congo.

"I was interested in chimpanzees because when I was in the DR Congo, I found a young chimpanzee that was caged in the market. This tortured me. My team and I were forced to ask Police to intervene in the rescue of this chimpanzee," Goodall said.

She said this was the start of her journey to fight for the lives of chimpanzees.

"If you are to look closely, we are close relatives of these chimpanzees. Don't be offended when I call you a chimpanzee," Goodall added.

She said since the rescue of the young chimpanzee by police in Congo, the sanctuary that harboured it currently has 200 chimpanzees that have been rescued.

 Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre chief executive officer Dr James Musinguzi pledged their continued support towards the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary.

He lauded the Government of Uganda for the conducive environment that has been offered to sanctuary.

Tourism ministry permanent secretary Doreen Katusiime said that 25 years ago, Ngamba opened its hands to 15 orphan chimpanzee and currently have 53 chimpanzees.

She said that through innovative programmes, the Government has set up combative programmes to save the dangered and tortured chimpanzees and other animals.

At the event, several people were awarded for their support towards wildlife and the chimpanzees. New Vision senior journalist Gerald Tenywa was among the people who were awarded.