Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is widely celebrated as Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian, an international conservation leader, and the visionary founder of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH)—an innovative NGO intertwining wildlife protection with community health. Her journey began in the early days of Bwindi gorilla tourism, when she traced scabies transmission from humans to gorillas and realized the interconnected health of people and wildlife. This insight sparked a new era of conservation rooted in the “One Health” approach, ensuring that protecting gorillas and empowering people go hand-in-hand.
Recognized globally—including being named a UN “Champion of the Earth” in 2021 and earning awards like the Whitley Gold Prize and Edinburgh Medal—Dr. Gladys has embodied the seamless blend of science and social justice. She’s been featured in BBC’s Gladys the African Vet, National Geographic, and CNN profiles, inspiring a generation of conservationists with her compassion, resilience, and leadership.
Gorilla Conservation Coffee: Brewing Conservation
In 2015, Dr. Gladys launched Gorilla Conservation Coffee, a social enterprise that supports local farmers and funds community conservation initiatives. Produced in gardens near Bwindi, the coffee is sold globally—with $1.50 per kilogram directly supporting gorilla protection. It’s more than a souvenir—it’s an invitation to continue supporting gorilla health and community livelihoods with every sip.
Listen in as Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka speaks about her journey. This interview is titled “The extraordinary story of Uganda’s first wildlife vet” abc.net.au/listen/programs/saturdayextra/the-extraordinary-story-of-uganda-s-first-wildlife-vet
Check out this interview conducted by National Geographic titled “Gladys Kalema Zikusoka safeguards human health, and the world’s rarest primates” nationalgeographic.com/impact/article/gladys-kalema-zikusoka-explorer-story
What a Visit to Her Buhoma Clinic Entails
Visiting CTPH’s Buhoma Clinic, nestled at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, offers a glimpse into her transformative work firsthand. Here’s what to expect:
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Welcoming Orientation: Learn about One Health principles—how saving gorillas starts with supporting local healthcare.
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Community Healthcare Support: See how her team treats human illnesses, offers family planning, and significantly reduces zoonotic disease threats to both people and gorillas.
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Gorilla Gorilla Health Work: Gain insight into weekly health monitoring of neighboring gorillas—where veterinary care and disease prevention follow the same protocols used on humans.
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Empowerment through Education: Discover how primary schools, women’s groups, and environmental clubs benefit from health and conservation outreach.
Your visit helps strengthen this model, showing how tourism revenue and partnerships support real change in the field.
Video caption: Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, honoured in the Science and Innovation category, was the first-ever wildlife veterinarian of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and is a recognised world authority on primates and zoonotic diseases. She leads the implementation of three integrated strategic programs using the ‘One Health’ approach.
Here is the article presented annually, the Champions of the Earth award is the UN’s highest environmental honour. unep.org/championsofearth/laureates/2021/gladys-kalema
On Screen with Back to the Source Tours & Arturo
Recently, Back to the Source Tours collaborated with Dr. Gladys and her team on the Brazilian wildlife TV series SimiPlaneta – Arturo y su Pandilla, hosted by famed naturalist Arturo Islas Allende.
The episode set in Bwindi and the gorilla conservation clinics explores Dr. Gladys’s pioneering work—from pandemic response to empowering women and preserving the gorilla population. This feature brings her story into homes across Latin America, amplifying her message of conservation and One Health.
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka’s legacy is deeply woven into Bwindi’s forests, communities, and coffee plantations. Her approach reminds us that when people are cared for, wildlife thrives—and the planet wins. When you meet her and experience her projects, you’re not just visiting Uganda—you’re participating in a revolution of compassion, health, and ecological balance.
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka’s list of awards and recognition are plenty. You can find it on this link but let us name a few from the last 5 years:
- Jane Goodall Institute, Award for Conservation 2018
- Finalist, Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa 2019
- Winner, St Andrews Prize for the Environment 2020
- World Veterinary Day 2020 Award
- American Society of Mammalogists, Aldo Leopold Award 2020
- Finalist, Tällberg Eliasson Global Leadership Prize 2020
- 2021 UNEP Champions of the Earth Award in the Science and Innovation category
- 2021 Finalist, Tällberg Eliasson Global Leadership Prize
- Avance Media 2021 100 Most Influential African Women
“If you don’t attend to the needs of the people who share their habitats with gorillas and other wildlife, it’s very difficult to conserve wildlife in the future.” —Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka
Click on the image above to see the video on Instagram.
Here are all the links to find and buy Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka’s book > https://linktr.ee/dr.gladys
Join Conservation Through Public Health as a donor, an intern, volunteer, or researcher to gain insight into Uganda’s gorillas and the conservation efforts that keep their population thriving.
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