TWENTY YEARS OF CHIMP RESCUE AND CONSERVATION CELEBRATED
(Posted 04th July 2017)
On June 07th did Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary celebrate its 20th anniversary as the model chimpanzee sanctuary in Africa. The gala dinner hosted at the Commonwealth Resort in Munyonyo featured an impressive conservation and tourism VIP guest list of founding members, friends of the sanctuary, partners, and CEOs.
Chief guest of honor was the First Lady of the Republic of Uganda who doubles as the Patron of the Sanctuary Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, global chimpanzee conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, as well as Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Ephraim Kamuntu.
In her speech at the event, Mrs. Museveni underlined the importance of protecting forests and animals. "We need the chimpanzees because they play a vital role in marinating the diversity of central Africa forests. The large seeds they eat and disperse are too big for most other animals".
The celebratory event included reflecting on the theme: ”A Journey of a million miles”, as well as documenting the 20-year highlights of the conservation body.
Dr. Jane Goodall, the recipient of the Ngamba Legacy Award, also gave a speech as the special guest of the night. She emphasized the need to protect the chimpanzees an effort she embarked on in the 60s.
With a sprinkle of glitz and a splash of glamour, guests were treated to a "Jungle Life" cocktail, a dinner sponsored by the Ruparelia family, entertainment by Myko Ouma and the band while the event was hosted by celebrated Master of Ceremony Dr. Mitch Egwang.
Congratulations on this occasion must go to the sanctuary’s Executive Director Lilly Ajarova and her entire team for the work they do day in and day out, at times under difficult circumstances.
