Kampala, October 31, 2026 — Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian, Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, has been selected as one of the Top 5 CNN Heroes of 2026, earning global recognition for her pioneering work protecting endangered mountain gorillas while improving the health and livelihoods of communities living alongside them.
CNN announced the five finalists on October 28 ahead of its 20th annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute. The public will vote to decide the Hero of the Year, with voting open until November 29, 2026. Supporters may cast up to 10 votes per day at CNN.com/Heroes or via the official voting portal. Each finalist receives $10,000, while the winner will receive an additional $100,000 from CNN plus a further $100,000 unrestricted grant from the Elevate Prize Foundation.
Dr Kalema-Zikusoka, founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), has devoted her career to the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After becoming Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian in the mid-1990s, she realised that gorilla survival depended on the wellbeing of neighbouring human communities. A scabies outbreak traced to poor hygiene in nearby villages led her to adopt a One Health approach linking human health, wildlife health, and environmental protection.
Through CTPH, her team has reached more than 10,000 households—representing over 50,000 people—across communities bordering the park. Initiatives include Village Health and Conservation Teams promoting hygiene and family planning, support for coffee farmers via Gorilla Conservation Coffee, tree-planting programmes, and “Gorilla Guardians” who safely return gorillas to the forest.
These efforts have contributed to a more than 50% growth in the Bwindi gorilla population and helped the subspecies move from critically endangered toward more stable numbers.
In a statement, Dr Kalema-Zikusoka said: “When I became Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian, I never imagined that caring for mountain gorillas would lead to a movement linking public health, conservation and sustainable livelihoods. Our work with over 10,000 households has helped the Bwindi gorilla population grow by over 50%. This recognition shines a light on Uganda and on the One Health approach for the whole world.”
The other 2026 finalists are Dion Dawson (Chicago, food security), Andrew Lunetta (Syracuse, housing), Jaina Spagis (San Bernardino, animal rescue), and Kiko Trujillo (Nogales, Mexico, disability inclusion).
The Hero of the Year will be announced during the CNN Heroes tribute broadcast on December 5, 2026.
How to vote: Visit CNN.com/Heroes and cast up to 10 votes daily until November 29. Voters can also support CTPH directly through linked donation options.
This recognition highlights Uganda’s leadership in integrated conservation and offers an opportunity to further elevate the country’s tourism and wildlife protection efforts on the global stage.
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