Dr. Rukundo Takes Over as Chimpanzee Sanctuary ED

The Board of the Ngamba Island based Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust has appointed Dr. Joshua Rukundo, a veterinary doctor as the new Executive Director.

Dr Rukundo replaces Lilly Ajarova who is now the Chief Executive Officer Uganda Tourism Board.

Dr Rukudo has 15 years of experience in veterinary practice, with a special passion for primates.

As a student, he volunteered at Entebbe’s Uganda Wildlife Education Center.

“I remember working on a black and white Colobus monkey suffering from a severe case of dermatitis after he had been sprayed with an insecticide at a nearby residence. I was amazed at the strength of the small creature and how similar their anatomy was to humans, under all that hair.”

He added that the experience he got cemented his resolve to pursue wildlife medicine.

He later got an opportunity to work with chimpanzees when a position for a veterinarian and sanctuary manager at Ngamba Island was advertised.

He passed the interview and was the fourth Sanctuary Manager of Ngamba Island.

He was later promoted to Operations Director, a position he held for 7 years, working very closely with the Executive Director then, Lilly Ajarova.

Dr. Joshua is known to have experience in management, strategic planning, Project monitoring, evaluation, wildlife research and wildlife health management.

Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust is a non-governmental organization which was established in 1998 to promote the understanding, appreciation and conservation of Chimpanzees and their habitats.