By KT Reporter
A section of Ugandan environmentalists on Monday gathered in Kampala to pay tribute to the renowned primatologist and chimpanzee researcher Jane Goodall. Dr Jane Goodall, who died on 1st October 2025, devoted her life to the study and conservation of chimpanzees and the other great apes.
Held under the theme “Carrying Forward Jane’s Green Hope Legacy Restoring Ecosystems For People, Planet And Prosperity, the talk was to honor her role in Chimpanzee conservation in Uganda and globally. Perhaps, the most moving eulogy came from James Byabamkama, the Executive Director Jane Goodall Institute Uganda. He displayed a photo of a chimpanzee emerging from a cage to embrace Jane Goodall in front of it.
“I want each one of you to take a moment and reflect on that very particular picture. Look at it. And this is Jane with a chimpanzee in Congo. How many of you can imagine that your neighbor is such a chimpanzee coming out of a cage? I want you to imagine that,” he said.
Many in the audience gathered at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala remained glued to the picture as James Byabakama made the presentation.
And also imagine that you can have such a peaceful and shared hug. If you feel, if you can really imagine your neighbor is a chimp coming out of a cage, and you share such a similar hug, if it is possible, that would be a representation of what Jane was,” he said.
Byabakama said the calmness in the picture depicting a wild animal hugging a human demonstrated the true nature of Jane Goodall, who was a UN Ambassador of Peace.
“And this is a demonstration of peace and a demonstration of inspiration of hope in that very particular chimpanzee. And so should we and through action, because Jane was not far away from it. She did not imagine.
She did not think. And of all the people, the chimp took comfort to give her such a hug. A demonstration of peace and a demonstration of action,” said Byabakama.
“So as we gather here this morning, we know that Jane is not a midi star because she would be seated somewhere near there. And she would never again be a midi star,” he said.
Jane Goodall was last in Uganda in 2024. It has emerged that she had arranged to return on the 18th of November and would be leaving on the 25th of November 2025.
A series of events has been held in Kampala during the last three days to honor Jane Goodall’s legacy. These include launching the National Chimpanzee Conservation Status Report and a discussion by the British High Commission in Uganda on sustaining Jane’s green hope legacy.
There was a planned public dialogue for the Albert and Great Apes Alliance Dialogue in memory of Jane, hosted by Volcano Safari Rogers.
“When you look at all of this, it tells you what Jane was and what Jane is going to be. For she told us that we should not look at her in her grave and cry, but hold such moments like these ones.” Said Byabakama.
Diana Leizinger, Roots & Shoots Director for the Jane Goodall Institute Austria, said the gathering in Kampala was not only in sorrow but in profound gratitude. She hailed the late Dr. Jane Goodall for changing so many lives.
“And she has changed the way we look at nature. And she has also changed our responsibility within it. Though she cannot be here in person, her quiet courage and her unwavering hope and her deep compassion continue to guide us,” she said.
Leizinger said Jane’s legacy is not a monument of the past. “It is a living one. Carried forward by so many people, by the work of communities, rangers, scientists, teachers, and young people supported by the Jane Goodall Institute.
The Jane Goodall Institute has 25 chapters, united in purpose, that stand together. “JGI Austria has been privileged to stand with our colleagues in Uganda. First, starting education projects for the Batwa pygmies. Then expanding into chimpanzee protection,” said Leizinger.
Goodall Institute’s chapter in Uganda was started in 1991. In which millions of people around the globe have been inspired to live in great harmony with nature and take action on behalf of the planet we all share.
In Uganda, the Jane Goodall Institute’s support has been towards the restoration and protection of habitats.
Byabakama reported that JDI Uganda has planted over 5.1 million trees and restored over 56 square kilometers across the Albertine Rift. That’s a direct contribution by Jane Goodall Institute.
“But collectively, as others, we’ve done more. In the years to come, and with support from our partners, JGI Austria and the government of Austria, we will have over 500,000 hectares of chimpanzee habitat under conservation management.
Conservationist turned politician, John Emily Otekat, challenged the audience to push the legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall, whom he said he had heard of since 1975. “We need to create more awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation,” said the former Soroti M.
Renowned Veterinarian, Dr Gladys Kalema, said Jane Goodall worked twice as hard to be taken seriously because she was a woman.
“She paved the way for very many women into conservation because she worked for conservation,” Said Kalema Zikusoka, the founder of Conservation Through Public Health.” Yes, we need to engage more and more women in conservation.”
Representing the Tourism Minister, Leon Chandria, Acting Commissioner of Wildlife Conservation, said Jane Goodall discovered and revolutionized the world’s understanding of chimpanzees and general primates, and ultimately human beings.
“She documented chimpanzees using tools, she revealed social complex structures, emotional depth, and individual personalities in chimpanzees.” Said Chandria
“She often said hope is not about believing things will get better. It is about knowing that we can make things better,” he said.
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