On Monday, a group of Ugandan environmentalists convened in Kampala to honor the life and work of renowned primatologist and chimpanzee advocate Jane Goodall. Dr. Goodall, who passed away on 1 October 2025, dedicated her decades-long career to understanding and protecting chimpanzees and other great apes.

The gathering, themed “Carrying Forward Jane's Green Hope Legacy - Restoring Ecosystems For People, Planet And Prosperity”, focused on celebrating her influence on chimpanzee conservation both in Uganda and across the globe. Among the tributes, one of the most emotional came from James Byamukama, Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda, who projected an image of a chimpanzee stepping from a cage and wrapping its arms around Goodall.

“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.

The audience at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala watched silently as Byamukama continued his remarks.

"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.

Byamukama added that the tranquility captured in the photo of a wild chimp tightly embracing a human, reflected Goodall’s true character, noting her role as 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,” he said.

Goodall’s last visit to Uganda was in 2024, and it has since been revealed that she had planned to return between 18 and 25 November 2025.

Over the previous three days, several commemorative events were held in Kampala, including the launch of the National Chimpanzee Conservation Status Report and a British High Commission–led discussion on continuing Jane Goodall’s environmental vision. A public forum under the Albert and Great Apes Alliance was also scheduled in her memory.

“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,” Byamukama added.

Diana Leizinger, Roots & Shoots Director at the Jane Goodall Institute Austria, told those gathered that the occasion was filled not only with grief but with immense appreciation for Goodall’s impact.

“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.

She described Goodall’s legacy as active and ongoing. “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.”

Founded in 1991, the Uganda chapter of the Goodall Institute has inspired millions worldwide to adopt lifestyles that respect and protect the natural world. Locally, its efforts have focused heavily on restoring and safeguarding ecosystems.

Byamukama noted that JGI Uganda has planted more than 5.1 million trees and rehabilitated over 56 square kilometers in the Albertine Rift, direct contributions stemming from Goodall’s leadership.

“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,” he said.

John Emily Otekat, a conservationist turned politician, encouraged participants to uphold Goodall’s mission, recalling hearing of her work as early as 1975. “We need to create more awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation,” said the former Serere MP.

Veterinarian and conservation pioneer Dr. Gladys Kalema Zikusoka added that Goodall overcame gender bias in her scientific career.

“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.”