As part of celebrations to mark this years World Wildlife Day,under the theme, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.”Uganda Wild Life Authority will hold a marathon at Kitante Primary School to raise funds to support familiies of game rangers.
According to Uganda Wild Life Authority there about 849 game rangers who protect wildlife, property, and human life across 10 national parks and 12 wildlife reserves, covering 79.4% of Uganda’s districts however anew recruitment drive for 550 additional rangers was recently announced, with a deadline of February 16, 2026
Uganda Wildlife Authority Executive Director Dr.James Musinguzi,highlighted a series of activities leading up to World Wildlife Day 2026.
“These activities have began with a media launch followed by primary and secondary schools’ conservation competitions on 23rd and 27th February, and tertiary and university students’ conservation competitions on 25th February,” he said.
The Conservation Media Awards will also take place on 25th February, alongside the National Crane Festival on 24th February at Masaka Liberation Grounds and National Wildlife Conservation Conference on 26th February.
According to Musinguzi ,these activities will culminate in a Wildlife Conservation Marathon on 1st March at Kitante Primary School, before the main day celebrations on 3rd March, featuring conservation awards, exhibitions, and main celebrations.
Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, called for collective action, saying the conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants represents an opportunity to protect biodiversity, strengthen healthcare systems, preserve cultural heritage, and build resilient societies.
He said globally, medicinal and aromatic plants are central to healthcare, culture, and economies.
He revealled that about 80 percent of people in developing countries rely on plant-based traditional medicine for primary healthcare however Medicinal and aromatic plants face numerous conservation challenges, including unsustainable harvesting, habitat loss, climate change, loss of traditional knowledge, weak regulation, and poor monitoring.
A World Health Organisation report estimates that about 80 percent of the population depends on herbal medicine. Key medicinal plants commonly used include Vernonia amygdalina, Albizia coriaria, Bidens pilosa, Prunus africana, and Warburgia ugandensis,