CTPH

We conserve the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest while improving the health and livelihoods of communities living near them.

[Gladys K Zikusoka @DoctorGladys]

Just before Earth Day, I had the distinct honor of attending Dr Jane Goodall’s memorial service at St James Church in London’s Piccadilly Circus. I became even more in awe of her distinguished service to animals and people alike. But she always spoke of a higher spiritual being that made it possible for her to accomplish so much right until she left this world while on tour at the age of 91. The speeches from her family, Dr. Anthony Collins and Reverend Lucy Winkett were powerful and moving and it was special to celebrate Dr Jane Goodall’s life with my husband - Lawrence, friends and colleagues in conservation.

I first met Dr Jane Goodall at one of her lectures in London when I was 23 years old. She inspired me and countless others to love the natural world; and encouraged and mentored me to become a Primatolgist, through my work as Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian and then setting up Conservation Through Public Health and Gorilla Conservation Coffee. I was elated when she wrote the forward for my memoir, Walking With Gorillas 🦍

So it was truly special when Dr Anthony Collins invited me to give a speech as one of her protégés at the reception after the service. I mentioned how my mother wanted to meet Jane and how delighted she was to receive an award from the Jane Goodall Institute for her role in empowering women in Uganda. May we continue their rich legacies.

[Gladys K Zikusoka @DoctorGladys]

Happy 100th Birthday! Sir David Attenborough

Today the world’s greatest naturalist turns 100!

It was an honor to be invited by the Whitley Fund for Nature and https://t.co/cUPifZPgVu to wish him special birthday wishes as part of a beautiful compilation featuring inspiring voices from around the world.

I was so deeply honored to receive the Whitley Gold Award in 2009 for our One Health approach to gorilla 🦍 🌳 conservation, and even more grateful to have met Sir David Attenborough two years later. What stayed with me most was his humility and eagerness to keep learning, despite his extraordinary achievements.

Watch the full video: https://t.co/9oCX4AsQM5

Read the full article: https://t.co/2YbmPubHCT

[Gladys K Zikusoka @DoctorGladys]

Today is Mother’s Day and my mother would have been 97! This day has always been a double celebration 🎊 🎉 but today it is a double blow, as am not able to hug her, smile and sing happy birthday.

But on this day I would like to remember her unconditional love 💗 ❤️💚 energy, wisdom, empathy, nurturing and fighting spirit; and determination to make a difference.💃🏾🌳🦍 She supported me to follow my dreams, and for that I will be forever grateful.

May her rich legacy continue through her family and the numerous people and generations she impacted particularly in the pivotal role she played in the women’s movement and politics in Uganda. Happy heavenly birthday Maama Rhoda Kalema 🥰

https://t.co/CwxQPhFpfG

[Gladys K Zikusoka @DoctorGladys]

Can you believe this was hand drawn by this young man? ☺️ There’s so much talent around the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You’ll usually find many of these artists displaying their work outside the forest, and through responsible tourism, I always encourage people to support them when they come to see the gorillas. 🦍 It means a lot to the local communities and keeps their creativity thriving.

[Gladys K Zikusoka @DoctorGladys]

We just welcomed Northwood School LEAP students to Uganda for the second time! It is always a pleasure hosting students from around the world who come to learn from our model at Conservation Through Public Health and understand our holistic approach to protecting the mountain gorillas and supporting the local communities, while getting to know local students at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Beyond the learning experience, they will also get to enjoy the beauty of Uganda, our rich culture, delicious food, warm people, beautiful weather, and so much more!

We invite more students from across the world to come and learn with us.

[Gladys K Zikusoka @DoctorGladys]

Yet again, I’m honoured to be speaking at POATE and this time, we shall be discussing “Balancing Growth and Green: Building Sustainable and Inclusive Destinations in a Wanderlust Era.” Join our panel discussion with the Uganda Wildlife Authority executive director and other truly inspiring speakers.

Join us for this insightful session on 22nd May from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at Semiliki Hall, Speak Resort Munyonyo.
#POATE2026

[CTPH @CTPHuganda]

Its #Day2 at #POATE2026 and we are here again ready to meet you at our stall.

Please chexkin at the flagmast exhibition, walk through stalls and you will see our team.

May thanks to everyone who made it yesterday.

We go again today!

[Gladys K Zikusoka @DoctorGladys]

While at #POATE2026, please don’t forget to visit us at Stall FG64, Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH).

Come and learn more about our work with the Gorillas, and also get a chance to purchase our globally recognised Conservation Coffee brand, Kanyonyi. ☕🦍

My signed memoir, Walking With Gorillas, will also be available, alongside other exciting CTPH merchandise.

We look forward to meeting you!

[CTPH @CTPHuganda]

We celebrate the mothers of the 28 habituated gorilla groups across Uganda's Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks.

We also celebrate all mothers all over the world.

Happy Mother's Day!

[CTPH @CTPHuganda]

10 people who have met and worked with him, including Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, reflect on how their collaborations with Sir David shaped their work, perspectives, and mindsets. Read the full article: https://t.co/hTBY7Ze6Cg

[CTPH @CTPHuganda]

Happy 100th birthday, Sir David Attenborough!

When Sir David Attenborough met with our Founder and CEO, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka in 2011, he told her that he regretted getting too close to the mountain gorillas in 1978.

[CTPH @CTPHuganda]

For over 70 years, he has dedicated his life to advocating for the protection of our natural world. He helped humanity fall in love with it, and when people love something, they protect it.

That may be one of the greatest gifts anyone has ever given this planet.

[CTPH @CTPHuganda]

This reinforces our One Health model at CTPH that emphasises that conservation works best through collaboration and when people, wildlife, and ecosystems are supported together.

Readmore:
https://t.co/3EPPHwPh3T

[CTPH @CTPHuganda]

On 28 April 2026, we joined conservation partners at the launch of the “State of Uganda’s Wildlife Resources Report 2026” at the Uganda Wildlife Authority Headqaurters, officiated by Hon. Col. (Rtd) Tom R. Butime. The report uncovers that while...

[CTPH @CTPHuganda]

some wildlife species are recovering, others continue to face threats from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, & poaching. Strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration, investing in science & advancing integrated approaches like One Health are critical to sustaining these gains.

[Gladys K Zikusoka @DoctorGladys]

Happy Earth Day!

Yesterday, BBC World Service published my interview with their inspiring presenter, Myra Anubi.

When I first encountered the mountain gorillas, 🦍 their numbers were critically low and close to extinction. Today, their population has risen significantly and our One Health approach has contributed to this positive growth. This model recognizes that we cannot separate the health of wildlife from that of people.

Through community health volunteers, we support local communities to improve their health, adopt good hygiene practices, understand the dangers of poaching, and appreciate the importance of planting trees. These efforts empower communities to become more self-sufficient, reducing their dependence on the forest to meet basic needs. At the same time, it helps prevent the transmission of diseases between people and wildlife.

The theme for Earth Day 2026 is “Our Power, Our Planet.” It calls on all of us to embrace small actions that collectively make a big difference, such as reducing plastic use and planting trees, which we are already championing at Conservation Through Public Health, and our social enterprise, Gorilla Conservation Coffee that supports smallholder farmers around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Protecting our planet is a shared responsibility. When communities embrace family planning, the pressure on natural resources like forests is reduced. When trees are planted and poaching is discouraged, we safeguard our environment.

Through the One Health approach, our planet can become healthier and more resilient. I encourage everyone to adopt this approach in your respective fields. It is not limited to conservationists.

Happy Earth Day, and thank you to the BBC for highlighting this important message on such an important day.

Listen to the full interview: https://t.co/jvbueJPmMe

Photo credit: Kibuuka Mukisa

[Gladys K Zikusoka @DoctorGladys]

Honored to be featured on Season 20 of Échappées Belles, a popular French weekly discovery program. I had the opportunity to take the France 5 TV crew to see the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, while also sharing the story of how our work at Conservation Through Public Health began.

Thank you Ismaël Khelifa for coming down to the Pearl of Africa to capture our stories. Special thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Programme and the Uganda Embassy in Paris for making it happen.

Watch full episode: https://t.co/l4MI9a1L7f

[CTPH @CTPHuganda]

Only 2 days left! Your gift funds lab testing, home gardens, Village Health and Conservation Teams and Gorilla Guardian volunteers, all protecting the people and mountain gorillas of Bwindi.

https://t.co/UNYAIo9hNO

#OurPowerOurPlanet #OneHealth #EarthWeek

[CTPH @CTPHuganda]

Choose your impact. Every gift protects gorillas and the people living beside them. Swipe to see how your donation makes a difference this Earth Week.

https://t.co/UNYAIo9hNO

#OurPowerOurPlanet #OneHealth #EarthWeek2026

[CTPH @CTPHuganda]

Choose your impact. Every gift protects gorillas and the people living beside them. Swipe to see how your donation makes a difference this Earth Week.

https://t.co/UNYAIo9hNO

#OurPowerOurPlanet #OneHealth #EarthWeek2026