Theme 2026: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPS): Conserving Heritage, Health and Livelihoods

Background
Every year on March 3, people all over the world celebrate “World Wildlife Day” to honour the many beautiful and unique species of wild animals and plants. Wildlife traditionally refers to undomesticated animal species, but has come to include all plants, fungi, and other organisms that grow or live wild in an area without being introduced by humans.

Wildlife Day is an opportunity to recognise the unique roles that natural plants and animals play in our ecosystem. It allows you to show support for a range of creatures. It serves as a timely reminder that more needs to be done to combat wildlife crime and human-caused biodiversity loss, which are increasingly having cultural, social, and economic repercussions. Both plants and animals have inherent value for our ecosystem, economy, science, history, and other facets of sustainable human development. The occasion of World Wildlife Conservation Day allows us to recognise these magnificent wildlife species.

This year’s theme highlights the crucial role these plants play in human health, traditional knowledge, and sustainable economies, while also addressing the threats they face from habitat loss and overharvesting.

The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) is leading in the preparations of the National celebrations. The World Wildlife Day celebrations will be held on 3^rd March 2026, in Entebbe at the former Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre. A series of events to celebrate the day, include; a Media launch, Wildlife Conservation Conference, Crane festival, Wildlife Marathon, Wildlife Quizzes, and the major Wildlife day celebrations in that order.

NatureUganda is organising the Wildlife Conservation Conference under the theme ‘Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Heritage, Health and Livelihoods’. This conference is scheduled for 26^th February 2026.

More details coming soon!