A special event for chimps was held on Saturday at the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust off Entebbe Road. The 4x4 Challenge fun event had participants drive through challenging courses and achieving points to win prizes, but the overall aim was to raise funds for the endangered animals in Uganda.
All proceeds of the event went to the Ngamba Island chimps’ welfare. The event also coincided with Ngamba Island’s 10th anniversary.
Lilly Ajarova, the executive director of Wildlife Conservation Trust, said because humans share 98% DNA with the chimps, there was need to save our closest relatives from extinction.
She said chimps are about 175,000 worldwide, but they could cease to exist in 10 year’s time if their conservation is neglected.
The executive director of the National Environment Management Authority, Henry Aryamanya Mugisha, hailed participants for taking part in the event.
A total of sh9.5m was raised from donations and registration of participants.
Prizes included a return air-ticket for two to Mombasa, mobile phones from WARID and Midcom, a 4x4 tyre set, dinner and shopping vouchers, free vehicle service and 65 litres of fuel.
Sponsors included Kenya Airways, Adrift, Savers Supermarket, City Tyres, Javas, City Oil, Quality Cuts, Movit, All Terrain Adventures, WAMUCO Motors, Pearl Beach Resort, Imperial Royale Hotel, Jane Goodall Institute Uganda, Nawab Indian Restaurant, Wild Frontiers, Namirembe Guest House and Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Wading through mud for chimps
