In an effort to increase the population of the Nubian giraffe, enhance biodiversity, and diversify tourism experiences, UWA has reawakened the translocations of Nubian giraffes.

The latest translocation involved moving six Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Wildlife Reserve in Madi-Okollo district. Among the six giraffes relocated, four are females and two are males.

The translocation follows UWA’s National Giraffe Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2020–2030) that focuses on expanding shrinking habitats, executing strategic translocations, strengthening anti-poaching measures, and boosting local tourism through science-backed conservation of the critically endangered Nubian giraffe.

Supported by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation,which actively promotes giraffe conservation, the translocation that targets a total of 12 Nubian giraffes, is in accordance with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) conservation guidelines, which require scientific evidence to support wildlife translocations.

Dr. Patrick Atimned, Assistant Commissioner Veterinary Services at UWA and leader of the translocation team, explained that beyond promoting biodiversity, the Nubian giraffe introduced in Ajai is geared towards boasting tourism, making towards Uganda’s ATMS strategy (which includes tourism development), that aims at increasing the economy tenfold, from about $50 billion to $500 billion by 2040.

This is not the first time Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has relocated giraffes. Between 2015 and 2016, during the initial giraffe translocation effort, UWA, supported by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation  moved 15 Nubian giraffes (4 males and 11 females) from Murchison Falls Conservation Area to Lake Mburo National Park. Further translocations from Murchison Falls National Park have also taken place within its southern bank, and others to Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC), Kidepo National Park, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Arthur Muneza, the East Africa Coordinator for the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, noted that these efforts have been successful, as the Nubian giraffe population has now grown to over 2,500 individuals, with Uganda hosting nearly half of this number.

However, Muneza pointed out that challenges remain due to poachers setting wire snares intended for small antelopes, which inadvertently injure giraffes. This negatively impacts their well-being and population numbers.

At the National Biodiversity and Conservation Research Symposium held on June 22, 2026, at Kampala Nile Resort in Namanve, Mukono, while reviewing the Giraffe Conservation Plan, which emphasized the importance of scientific monitoring, genetic management, habitat protection, and community involvement for the species’ long-term survival—John Makombo, UWA’s Commissioner for Biodiversity Management, explained that the Authority has strengthened veterinary services and increased surveillance across all protected areas to combat poaching. He expressed confidence that these strategies will lead to further conservation successes.