The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has stated that chimpanzees will be allowed back into the wild. In place of Ms. Lilly Ajarova, CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board, Mr. Stephen Masaba, Director for Tourism and Business Development at UWA, made this declaration at Friday’s World Chimpanzee Day celebrations on Ngamba Island.

“The conservation world has a number of challenges, including limited space, and as the animal population grows, the animals require more space yet we cannot expand the island. We bring those that have been recovered from difficult and challenging times here for rehabilitation, we look after them and in future, we shall relocate them to the protected areas which are their natural habitat,” he said.

He cautioned that moving chimpanzees to protected regions like Budongo, Kibale National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park requires a delicate approach because they are territorial and family-oriented.

“Uganda has a population of more than 5000 Chimpanzees of which 10 percent live outside the natural forest, but still bring in money. We charge more than Shs 900,000 (250 dollars) per person for four hours in our game reserves to see chimpanzees. If we could all rally against activities that endanger the Chimpanzees and develop tourism businesses and activities, the country would get a lot,” Mr Masaba said.

The day aids in raising awareness of the condition of chimpanzees, according to Dr. Joshua Rukundo, Executive Director of Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

“Due to the threats faced by the Chimpanzees, because they are special, we join the rest of the world to celebrate this day to highlight the amazing nature of these beings. The situation in Uganda was dire for Chimpanzees, which were continuously threatened by habitat loss, wildlife trafficking, and illegal hunting and diseases,” he said.

“Chimps share 98 percent DNA with human beings, so celebrating them is an opportunity to raise awareness about the vital need for worldwide participation in their care, protection, and conservation in the wild and in captivity,’’ Mr Rukundo added.

53 orphaned chimpanzees call Koome Island in the Mukono district of Ngamba home. Next month, Ngamba will commemorate 25 years of existence. On Chimp Day, the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary opened its doors to local community members and environmentalists.