Dr. Joshua Rukundo
Executive Director
As we close the doors on 2025, I find myself reflecting on a year defined by profound resilience. For the Chimpanzee Trust, this year has been a testament to the strength of our mission...
Dear Friends, Partners, and Supporters,
As we close the doors on 2025, I find myself reflecting on a year defined by profound resilience. For the Chimpanzee Trust, this year has been a testament to the strength of our mission and the unwavering dedication of our team at Ngamba Island and beyond.
Honoring Legacies and Navigating Loss
This year, our hearts were heavy as we said goodbye to two pillars of our story. We mourned the loss of Ikuru, a beloved member of our chimpanzee family, whose presence is deeply missed. We also grieved the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, a founding light for Ngamba Island. Her vision remains our North Star, and we are more committed than ever to honoring her legacy through our work.
Triumphs Amidst the Storm
Despite a landscape of significant obstacles, the power of our collective effort led to several “wins” that have fortified the Trust:
- Chimpanzee Welfare: We successfully conducted our annual health checks, ensuring our 53 residents remain healthy and vibrant.
- Infrastructure & Sustainability: We completed a critical upgrade of our solar power system, moving us toward 100% clean energy, and renovated essential chimpanzee holding structures.
- Operational Excellence: We overhauled our internal policies and procedures to ensure more efficient, transparent operations.
- Growing our Talent: We welcomed a new Sanctuary Manager and a Conservation Programs Manager to lead our education and community initiatives, strengthening our leadership on the ground.
The Reality of Our Challenges
I must be transparent: 2025 was one of our most difficult years financially. Like many NGOs globally, we have felt the impact of dwindling donor funding. This trend is driven by a complex global economy, shifting philanthropic priorities toward humanitarian crises, and a rising cost of living that affects individual giving.
These constraints, paired with the increased cost of operations and limited marketing capacity, meant that some programs—including our vital Education Program—could not run at full capacity.
A Call for Renewed Hope
Despite these headwinds, I am incredibly proud to share that we achieved 80% of our planned program activities for 2025. This was only possible because of the steadfast support of the Government of Uganda (Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities), our dedicated Board, our tireless staff, and, most importantly, you.
Thank you for standing with us during this tough year. Together, we can ensure that the legacy of those we lost continues through the protection of the species they loved.
With gratitude and hope,
Dr. Joshua Rukundo
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR