UGANDA KICKS OFF WORLD WILDLIFE DAY 2025 CELEBRATIONS IN LIRA CITY

L-R: Hon. Martin B. Mugarra, Hon. Dr. Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health, Miss Tourism Beauty Queens, (2nd Right) Hon. Tom Butime, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities during the World Wildlife Day Celebrations on Saturday 22nd March 2025.

Lira, Northern Uganda, 22nd March 2025 – The celebrations for World Wildlife Day began today in Lira City. The day's activities commenced with a match led by Hon. Minister Tom R. Butime, proceeding through the streets of Lira City to Mayor's Gardens, where the main celebrations are taking place.

The Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Ruth Aceng represented the Chief Guest, H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda. The celebration is also graced with attendance by various dignitaries including Agency Heads, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Director of Tourism Basil Ajer, district leaders, local community members, media representatives and various key stakeholders.

Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Ruth Aceng, representing the Chief Guest, H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

This year's celebrations are under the theme "Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet," which aligns closely with the country's national conservation goals. The focus is on raising awareness and reaffirming our collective commitment to protecting and preserving wildlife protection areas and resources through sustainable and innovative financing.

Today, the world faces critical and life-threatening environmental crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and extreme pollution. Events like this aim to increase public awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation, bringing together essential stakeholders to find lasting solutions that support sustainable environmental protection practices.