Muni University brimming with excitement over Roosevelt Library

_________________

Muni University is thrilled about the upcoming opening of the former US President Theodore Roosevelt Library. 

Prof. Earle Jon, speaking at the Uganda-Kenya Coast Expo at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, shared his excitement, explaining that retracing Roosevelt's footsteps in Africa will surely boost tourism in the region.

"Theodore Roosevelt hunted thousands of wildlife species to prevent their extinction, including the bison, without preserving their replicas. On display at the library will be some of the 5,000 animal skins and 5,000 plant specimens—many of which are now extinct, like the white rhino, which was only recently reintroduced to Uganda," Jon said, adding: "Aside from the population explosion, climate change is dramatically altering the Africa Roosevelt once knew."

Roosevelt’s legendary African safari included naturalists and porters familiar with the terrain, language and the challenges of navigating the wilderness.

"After being impressed by Buganda, Roosevelt travelled to South Sudan and Egypt, passing through West Nile, where he collected specimens. At that time, the region was teeming with mammals, reptiles, and birds whose habitats are now shrinking," Jon said. 

"The Roosevelt Library, in his memory, will open officially on July 26, 2026. The $333m (sh1.2 trillion) project will reflect his deep connection with nature in this part of the world, where he encountered buffaloes and rhinos in the thousands."

Participants were informed that Roosevelt's journey through Buganda and West Nile changed his views on Africa and African Americans. His evolving perspective on race would influence the country he had once led.

Dr Imran Ejotre, a senior lecturer in biology at Muni University, highlighted the importance of the Roosevelt Library for the university's research centre, which is dedicated to collecting Indigenous knowledge and stories.

“We are excited about the wealth of information we will gain from the 296 animals Roosevelt hunted and the 216 killed by his son Kermit,” Dr Ejotre shared in an interview. “There are many lesser-known species, smaller than the iconic white rhino, that will provide valuable insights into the history of our region, before urbanization, the arrival of colonialists and missionaries.”

This Roosevelt news comes at a time when the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), in collaboration with the private sector, are focused on developing new tourism products to complement the country's well-established attractions, such as game parks, gorilla tracking, bird watching, and cultural tourism.

“It’s the kind of rich information housed in the Roosevelt Library that will draw tourists to Destination Uganda, especially for experiences like witnessing the Big Five in their natural habitat, alongside educational and entertainment opportunities,” said an enthusiastic Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Tom Butime. “Muni University’s involvement will enhance the existing Baker’s Trail in Murchison Falls National Park. With these innovative initiatives, we are on the right path to achieving a tourism revenue target of $50b (sh182 trillion) by 2040.”

Uganda is a destination where nature and heritage converge, which is why tourism has become a key driver of development, alongside sectors like minerals, agriculture, and ICT.