Ruparelia’s Role in Uganda’s First Rhino Return Remembered

When two Southern White Rhinos arrived at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre in 2001, the event was more than just a spectacle for visitors. It was a moment that marked the beginning of Uganda’s journey to restore a species that had once been declared extinct within its borders.

At the heart of this milestone was billionaire businessman Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, whose sponsorship played a pivotal role in ensuring the return of the animals and in reigniting national interest in conservation.

One of the rhinos, a female, was named Kabira after Sudhir’s renowned Kabira Country Club. Her male companion, Sherino, carried the name of the Kampala Sheraton Hotel, another key sponsor.

Their relocation from Kenya, orchestrated by Rhino Fund Uganda, was not only a conservation initiative but also an effort to rebuild public awareness and lay the groundwork for eventual reintroduction into Uganda’s protected wild landscapes.

By the early 1980s, both the Eastern Black Rhino and the Northern White Rhino, once abundant across Uganda’s savannahs, had been wiped out through relentless poaching and years of civil unrest.

Their disappearance left a void in the country’s biodiversity and dealt a blow to Uganda’s pride as a conservation leader in East Africa. It was against this backdrop that Sudhir’s intervention went beyond philanthropy. It demonstrated how the private sector could play an instrumental role in reviving national heritage that many had written off as lost.

The arrival of Kabira and Sherino at UWEC was symbolic, not only for conservationists but also for ordinary Ugandans who were able to see rhinos for the first time in decades. It helped create a platform for education, inspired community involvement, and showcased the possibility of rebuilding what had been lost. “Sudhir’s support proved that conservation is not just a government responsibility but a collective duty in which the private sector can lead,” one UWEC official recalled.

That first step created the momentum that led to the establishment of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in 2005, where six Southern White Rhinos were introduced. From that modest beginning, the sanctuary now holds nearly 50 individuals, a remarkable recovery story that continues to unfold.

The population growth at Ziwa has paved the way for plans to reintroduce rhinos into larger ecosystems such as Ajai Wildlife Reserve, raising hopes that Uganda may once again witness wild rhinos roaming freely in its national parks.

Sudhir’s sponsorship of Kabira ensured that the story of Uganda’s first rhino return would not fade into memory. Instead, Kabira and Sherino have become enduring symbols of hope, reminders that with vision and generosity, a country can reclaim parts of its natural heritage thought to be gone forever.

Today, Uganda counts 48 rhinos, with 46 thriving at Ziwa Sanctuary. The births of calves and the presence of juveniles are clear signals of a sustainable future. For the first time in decades, rhinos in Uganda are not merely surviving but steadily flourishing, and their story, once at the brink of extinction, is now a powerful narrative of resilience and renewal.