uganda tour and safari news

By Kiiza Calah
For Uganda gorilla safari news
A permanent building sits fairly isolated within a semi-natural environment, in a neatly trimmed compound. The doors are proper and the windows firmly fitted with wire mesh. It could pass for a home of a middle class Ugandan, except the neighbourhood is surrounded by a jungle, feathered with tree canopies and grass.

That is home for 11 Uganda chimpanzees now living in captivity at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (Uwec) in Entebbe. Last Friday was a special moment for the chimps as Zakayo; the alpha male and oldest-known chimpanzee living in captivity, celebrated his 44th birthday.

On a long table covered in linen stood two large birthday cakes prepared for the bash. Other gifts neatly wrapped included packets of milk, pineapples and bananas. Pupils presented songs and poems for the occasion and several trees were planted, all to give Zakayo a befitting birthday party.

To crown the occasion, guests planted trees, while school children participated in a quiz organised by Uwec to spread the conservation message. The winner won a trip to Gombe Islands. Probably anxious about the pending party, Zakayo and the rest of the chimps banged windows, made noise and thumped their chests before the party begun.

The chimps, which usually get out to the wild in the mornings, stayed indoors until 2pm probably waiting for other guests. Guests were delighted as they watched the chimps share cakes and splash juice, Uwec said the occasion provided not only an opportunity to celebrate, but also educate the public about the importance of ape conservation.

Uwec public relations officer Niwomujuni Mbagaya said: “Zakayo is a historical member of the centre whom we think deserved a celebrated birthday with the public.”

He added: “Zakayo is one of the lucky animals who has lived through all the regimes and survived brutality of former president Idi Amin