By Diana N.Kintu
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has launched a series of activities to commemorate the forthcoming World Wildlife Day 2026, which will be celebrated on 3 March 2026 at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens. This year’s celebrations will be held under the theme “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods,” which highlights the vital role of plants in healthcare, cultural heritage and rural livelihoods.
Addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre, the UWA Executive Director, Dr James Musinguzi, said the national celebrations will feature several activities, including conservation awards scheduled for 26 February 2026. Other activities include a tertiary and university students’ conservation competition on 25 February, as well as the National Crane Festival, which will take place on 24 February at the Masaka Liberation Grounds. A national wildlife conservation conference will also be held on 26 February 2026 as part of the celebrations.
Dr Musinguzi noted that activities will culminate in a wildlife conservation marathon on 1 March 2026 at Kitante Primary School, ahead of the main celebrations on 3 March, which will feature conservation awards, exhibitions and the main ceremony. H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to be the Chief Guest.
He explained that the selection of this year’s theme, focusing on medicinal and aromatic plants, reflects their importance to traditional healthcare systems, biodiversity conservation and rural economies, while also drawing attention to the urgent need for sustainable management in the face of climate change and overexploitation. He further emphasised that Uganda is diversifying its tourism products, including the introduction of modern botanical trails, designed to link conservation with community participation and sustainable tourism.
Dr Musinguzi was part of a delegation of officials led by the Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Tom R. Butiime, who said Uganda is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries. He noted that the country hosts more than 50% of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population, 11% of the world’s recorded bird species—representing 50% of Africa’s bird species richness—8% of global mammal diversity, equivalent to 39% of Africa’s mammal richness, and 19% of Africa’s amphibian species richness. He added that Uganda also accounts for 14% of Africa’s reptile species richness and has 1,249 documented butterfly species.
Hon. Butiime explained that the Uganda Wildlife Act, Cap. 315, defines wildlife as any wild plant or animal species, or their derivative products, that are indigenous to, have migrated to, or have been introduced into Uganda. He noted that, in recognising the role and importance of plants, this year’s World Wildlife Day theme appropriately focuses on medicinal and aromatic plants, and called upon Ugandans to conserve these resources ahead of the celebrations.
He urged the public to reaffirm their commitment to conserving medicinal and aromatic plants, honouring traditional knowledge and supporting community livelihoods, noting that their conservation is not a burden but an opportunity to protect biodiversity, strengthen healthcare, preserve culture and build resilient, equitable societies.
Globally, millions of people rely on plant-based medicines as part of traditional healthcare systems. Medicinal and aromatic plants play a vital role in global health, cuisine, culture and economies, with approximately 80% of people in developing countries depending on plant-based traditional medicine for primary healthcare. An estimated 60,000 plant species are used worldwide for medicinal, nutritional and aromatic purposes, with about 500,000 tonnes traded annually. The traditional medicine market is valued at approximately USD 60 billion and is growing at an annual rate of 7%, yet nearly 90% of these plants are harvested from the wild, placing immense pressure on ecosystems and threatening their long-term availability.
In Uganda, the use of traditional medicine contributes significantly to the socio-economic wellbeing of many communities, with herbalists and traditional healers earning livelihoods from medicinal plants. A 1995 World Health Organisation report estimated that about 80% of the population in developing countries, including Uganda, relies largely on herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Key medicinal plant species include Vernonia amygdalina, Albizia coriaria, Bidens pilosa, Prunus africana and Warburgia ugandensis.
Medicinal and aromatic plants are deeply intertwined with cultural heritage and provide critical income for millions of people, particularly in rural areas, through harvesting, processing, trade and cultivation, with women playing a central role across these value chains. However, overexploitation, habitat loss and land-use change, climate change, loss of traditional knowledge, weak regulation and poor monitoring continue to pose serious threats. Strengthening sustainable harvesting practices, improving regulation and promoting fair market access and benefit-sharing are essential to safeguarding these vital plant resources for future generations.