Following Uganda’s ongoing efforts to restore and protect rhinos by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and other stakeholders, the Roosevelt Rhino Campaign has announced naming one of the Rhinos in Uganda, Roosevelt- after former United States President Theodore Roosevelt.
This inspiration is drawn from Roosevelt’s 1909–1910 Smithsonian–Roosevelt African Expedition. While rooted in history, the initiative is firmly focused on the present—highlighting Uganda’s steady progress in rebuilding rhino populations and strengthening conservation systems after decades of absence in the wild.
The Roosevelt Rhino Campaign was developed by UWA in partnership with the Roosevelt Africa Trail and the Theodore Roosevelt Association during the US–Africa Business Conference in New York City.
The campaign is supported by several linked initiatives designed to broaden public engagement and support. These include Roosevelt Encounters Africa, a children’s educational series produced by NABU, which will feature the Rhino Named Roosevelt and integrate QR codes that allow audiences to contribute directly to conservation efforts.
Private sector and digital innovations also form part of the campaign. Roosevelt Africa Safari Coffee, developed by Kahawa 1893 in partnership with the Roosevelt Africa Trail, will feature the Roosevelt Rhino as a speciality blend, with a portion of proceeds directed toward rhino conservation. In addition, the Roosevelt Africa Virtual Trail will offer an immersive digital experience, enabling audiences around the world to engage with the rhino’s habitat and Uganda’s conservation work.
Speaking at the conference, Dr. James Musinguzi, the UWA Executive Director emphasised that Uganda’s progress in rhino conservation is the result of long-term investment, strong institutions, and trusted partnerships. He noted that initiatives such as the Roosevelt Rhino Campaign help strengthen international understanding and support for wildlife recovery.
Joshua Sentongo, director of business development and strategy for the Roosevelt Africa Trail, described the campaign as a continuation of a family commitment to conservation. He is the son of the late conservationist Paul Ssali Naluma, whose story, ‘The Wild and the Brave,’ was nominated for an Oscar in 1975.
The Roosevelt Rhino Campaign will unfold through a series of milestones. A hybrid launch in Uganda and the United States, is planned for December 18, 2025, including a live event at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. A mid-campaign engagement at the Roosevelt Library is scheduled for July 4, 2026, followed by the official christening of the Roosevelt Rhino in September 2026.
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