UGANDA TURNS TO MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS AS NEW ECONOMIC FRONTIER IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DRIVE

Uganda is positioning medicinal and aromatic plants at the centre of its conservation and economic growth agenda, as the country prepares to commemorate United Nations World Wildlife Day 2026 with a strong focus on unlocking the commercial potential of biodiversity while safeguarding it for future generations.

The shift was underscored by the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, during a press briefing ahead of the national celebrations scheduled for March 3, 2026, at the Botanical Gardens in Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso District. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to officiate as Chief Guest.

World Wildlife Day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013, is observed annually to celebrate wild fauna and flora and raise awareness about the importance of conservation. This year’s theme, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods,” reflects a deliberate policy direction by Uganda to highlight plants not only as ecological assets, but also as drivers of healthcare, culture and economic development.

“Uganda’s wildlife is not limited to animals alone,” Minister Mugarra said, citing the Uganda Wildlife Act which defines wildlife to include wild plants and their derivative products. “Medicinal and aromatic plants are an integral part of our biodiversity and present immense opportunities for livelihoods, industry and tourism if sustainably managed.”

Uganda is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, hosting more than 60 percent of the remaining global population of mountain gorillas, 11 percent of the world’s bird species, eight percent of global mammal diversity, and a rich array of plant species used in traditional medicine. Plants such as Prunus africana, Warburgia ugandensis, Vernonia amygdalina and Albizia coriaria are widely used by communities for treatment of various ailments and form the backbone of traditional healthcare systems.

Globally, about 80 percent of people in developing countries rely on plant-based medicine for primary healthcare. An estimated 60,000 plant species are used worldwide for medicinal, nutritional and aromatic purposes, with the traditional medicine market valued at about USD 250 billion and growing annually. However, nearly 90 percent of these plants are still harvested from the wild, raising concerns about overexploitation, habitat loss and long-term sustainability.

The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Chief Executive Officer Juliana Kaggwa emphasized that medicinal plant-based products also present a largely untapped commercial opportunity for the country. She noted that the global market for medicinal plant products is valued at approximately USD 250 million, a segment that has been aggressively developed by Asian economies.

“This is a market Uganda can competitively enter,” the UTB CEO said. “Under the current tourism marketing strategy, the ministry is working to widen the product range around medicinal and aromatic plants, linking conservation, wellness tourism, value addition and exports.” She added that positioning Uganda as a source of sustainably produced, high-quality plant-based products could significantly boost tourism revenues and rural incomes.

At the same briefing, the Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Dr. James Musinguzi, reminded the public that conservation comes at a human cost. He revealed that between six and 15 wildlife rangers lose their lives every year while protecting Uganda’s natural heritage from poaching, illegal logging and encroachment.

“This sacrifice is one of the reasons the National Wildlife Marathon remains a key feature of the World Wildlife Day calendar,” Dr. Musinguzi said. Scheduled for March 1, 2026, in Kampala, the marathon raises funds to support education for the children of rangers who die in the line of duty, while also mobilizing public awareness around conservation.

Beyond economic opportunities, speakers stressed the urgent need to conserve medicinal and aromatic plants in the face of mounting threats. These include unsustainable harvesting, land-use change, climate change and erosion of indigenous knowledge. Women, who play a central role in harvesting, processing and trading medicinal plants, were highlighted as key stakeholders in conservation and value chains.

As part of the World Wildlife Day commemorations, the ministry has lined up a series of nationwide activities, including wildlife conservation competitions for schools, a Cranes Festival in Masaka District to highlight threats to Uganda’s national bird, and a national conservation conference in Kampala focusing on medicinal and aromatic plants.

The celebrations will culminate on March 3 with the National Wildlife Conservation Awards and the main ceremony in Entebbe.

Minister Mugarra called on Ugandans, conservation partners and the private sector to actively participate in the events, saying conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants is not a constraint but an opportunity. “By conserving these resources, we are protecting biodiversity, strengthening healthcare systems, preserving cultural heritage and opening new pathways for economic growth,” he said.

As Uganda turns its attention to the economic promise of medicinal and aromatic plants, the World Wildlife Day 2026 celebrations are set to mark a strategic moment where conservation, commerce and community livelihoods converge.