Mrs. Museveni with Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary staff and other wildlife conservationists. On Janet Museveni's left is Dr. Jane Goodall and on Janet's right is Ajarova and Kamuntu. (Credit: Eddie Ssejoba)
Mrs Janet Museveni handing over an accolade to Rajiv Ruparelia and his wife Naiya for supporting the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Rajiv offered the venue and dinner for the guests during the celebrations. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)
Some of the people who were recognised by the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary for their contribution towards saving chimpanzees. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)
Ngamba sanctuary was started in 1998 to provide refuge and care for chimps retrieved from illegal trade. From the 18 chimps it started with, the sanctuary now has 49.
The theme of the celebration was ‘A journey of a thousand miles'. The event attracted officials from the donor communities, tourists and conservationists whose efforts have been towards the conservation of the chimps.
In her remarks, Mrs. Museveni emphasized the need to educate the youths on Uganda's wildlife to make them appreciate the conservation efforts.
"I felt then and even now that it is important for us as a country to educate our young generation about the animal population Uganda is blessed with so that they know them by name and feel proud of that as our inheritance and then feel duty bound to protect our animal population," she said.
She lauded Goodall for casting light on the dangers of destruction of not only nature, but also on the near extinction of the chimps.
Goodall, whose passion for chimps made her an activist for their conservation and preservation, used the night to relive her first love for apes that began with just reading a children's comic book Tarzan.
"After reading the book, I fell in Love with Tarzan. Unfortunately, he married a wrong Jane," she said.
She said because of her love for apes, she took up a job as a waitress to save money to travel to Africa and find her ‘Tarzan'.
With the help of an archeologist, Dr. Louis Leakey, she was able to penetrate Gombe forest in Tanzania where she spent four months before winning the primates' love.
Through her connection with the chimps, she came up with a ground breaking research which placed the endangered species on a global forum.
The night was crowned with awards given to people who have made contribution to the conservation efforts in the country. These among others included Vision Groups' Gerald Tenywa.
Some of Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary staff who were recognised for their tireless work at the sanctuary, pose for a photo with Kamuntu. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)
Dr. Jane Goodall embracing Dr Peter Apell, one of the longest serving veterinarian. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)