Kampala, Uganda: Government has launched national preparations for World Wildlife Day 2026, unveiling a strategic pivot toward herbal and medicinal tourism as a new revenue stream aimed at diversifying the Uganda’s tourism economy beyond traditional wildlife safaris.
The launch was held on Thursday, February 5, at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala as officials from the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities unveiled activities ahead of the global commemoration on March 3, 2026.
World Wildlife Day 2026 will be marked under the United Nations theme: “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.”
UTB Chief Executive Officer Juliana Kagwa said Uganda is deliberately repositioning itself to tap into emerging global tourism trends by promoting experiences rooted in traditional medicine, biodiversity and cultural heritage.
“We are expanding beyond classic wildlife tourism,” Kagwa said. “Uganda’s biodiversity and equatorial advantage allow us to develop authentic herbal and medicinal tourism experiences that can attract international visitors while creating sustainable income for local communities.”
She drew comparisons with countries such as Thailand, which have successfully leveraged culture- and education-based tourism models to attract millions of visitors annually, arguing that Uganda is well placed to do the same using its natural medicinal plant heritage.
The Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Martin Mugarra, who called for broad public participation in the World Wildlife Day celebrations and stronger protection of medicinal plant resources.
“I call upon all Ugandans to join the celebrations on March 3, 2026, and to actively support the protection of these vital plant resources that sustain our biodiversity, culture and community wellbeing,” Mugarra said.
The 2026 theme highlights the importance of medicinal and aromatic plants in human health, cultural preservation and livelihoods, while warning of growing threats from overharvesting, habitat loss and illegal trade.
UWA Executive Director James Musinguzi said the authority is aligning conservation and tourism products with the global interest in medicinal plants.
“UWA is diversifying tourism products, including the development of botanical modern trails,” Musinguzi said, noting that protected areas will begin offering structured visitor experiences centred on Uganda’s medicinal plant heritage.
As part of the build-up to World Wildlife Day, organisers unveiled official kits for the Uganda Wildlife Half Marathon 2026, scheduled for March 1, with proceeds dedicated to supporting children of fallen wildlife rangers.
Other lead-up activities include conservation-themed competitions in schools and universities, the National Crane Festival, Conservation Media Awards, and a National Conference on Wildlife and Conservation. The programme will culminate in the main national celebration on March 3, 2026, at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens.
World Wildlife Day was established by the United Nations in 2013 to mark the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on March 3, 1973. Uganda’s 2026 programme aligns national conservation priorities with the global push to safeguard medicinal and aromatic plants, while positioning the country as a destination for a niche tourism market that remains largely untapped in Africa.
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