STAFF
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PRESENT JGI UGANDA STAFF
DEBBY COX - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Debby is the Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) Uganda. Debby arrived in Uganda in 1996. During this time, Debby worked on developing a sanctuary for the chimpanzees that were housed at the centre and for future confiscated chimps. Debby completed her masters in Environmental Science in 2004.
Once Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary was operational, Debby then took on the role of Project Director for CSWCT as well as maintained her role with JGI Uganda. In a two year period from 2000, Debby returned to her homeland to do a masters degree, leaving Cherie 'Monty' Montgomery to deputize in her absence. On her return, Debby and Monty split the very busy role and Debby maintained the role of Project Director for CSWCT and Executive Director for JGI Uganda.
In January 2004, both CSWCT and JGI were restructured and Debby handed over the Project Director role for CSWCT to Monty whilst she is now concentrating her full time efforts on JGI Uganda and its many projects around the country. Debby also takes on a more regional role for JGI globally, assisting Congo DRC and Congo Brazzaville with their respective sanctuaries and management issues.
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DR. PETER APPELL - FIELD PROGRAMMES MANAGER
Peter is from Ibuje, Apac District in North Western Uganda. In 2000 he graduated from Makerere University in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. By the time he graduated he had already set up a farm complex in Lira district, volunteered with the USPCA (Uganda Society for the Protection and Care of Animals), worked with the Rotary Club of Kampala on a community education programme focused on income generation via farming for local women's groups.
Peter loves challenges and saw in wildlife two of his passions: something in need and a vast challenge. He joined CSWCT in June 2001 as a co-veterinary officer and sanctuary manager, alongside colleague, Dr Richard Ssuna.
As part of the restructuring of JGI Uganda and CSWCT, Peter took on a new role of Field Programmes Manager, supervising the various field programmes all over the country. He continues to provide technical support and advice to the veterinarians working with CSWCT.
Peter is completing a Masters programme in International Sustainable Development at Brandeis University, USA.
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GEORGE OWOYESIGIRE - FIELD PROGRAMMES OFFICER
George comes from Kamwenge District, western Uganda. He grew a Village neighbouring the Kibale national Park. The constant interaction with diverse wildlife around the park inspired George's passion and love for animals. In 1992, he joined a team of Ugandan workers and British volunteers to develop the then Kanyanchu Tourism Project at Kibale Forest, a site that has become famous for its primate viewing experience.
In 1994, George joined the defunct Uganda National Parks as a Ranger Guide/Receptionist until and later worked for the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in different capacities as a monitoring and Research Assistant and Warden until 2002. George's desire and quest for knowledge saw him enroll for a two-year certificate course in wildlife management, diploma in tourism management and later degree in environment management. After completion of his degree, he worked for the UWA as Warden for Research and Monitoring until 2006. He also worked for National Forestry Authority based at Bugoma Forest Reserve as a Forest Supervisor for a year. The various positions held over time have equipped George with diverse experience in areas of tourism project, conducted wildlife census and monitoring and worked with local people on ecotorism project establishment and problem animal management. George holds a MSc in Primate Conservation from Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom. In January 2008, he joined the JGI-Uganda team as a Field Programmes Officer.
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JACQUELINE ALINAITWE - EDUCATION PROGRAMMES ASSISTANT
Jacque was born in Mparo, Hoima District (western Uganda), and had the chance of seeing chimpanzees at a very young age as she was near to both the Bugoma and Budongo Forests. She studied tourism at Makerere University before joining Nature Uganda (the birdlife partner in Uganda) as a volunteer.
In 2002, after she had joined Nature Uganda she took interest in nature studies, most especially in birds.. It is there that she helped run a school programme for school children introducing them through the pleasures of nature through bird walks. She was also in- charge of organising membership events such nature walks and expeditions. All this gave her more insight into the natural environment and the beauty of it.
In 2005 after she had left nature Uganda, an opportunity to work further with children presented itself in the form of working with Jane Goodall institute as a Roots & shoots coordinator. In February 2006 joined the JGI team, working with Children, inspiring them to carry out activities to improve their environment, communities and welfare of animals around them. To date, Jacque is still having fun with the children, guiding them in making positive changes in their lives.
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TRACY STELLA OSUO - EDUCATION PROGRAMMES ASSISTANT
Tracy was born in Entebbe, Wakiso district but her home district is Moyo, in the West Nile Region. As she grew up, she developed a keen interest in the environment from her frequent visits to the then Entebbe Zoo (now Uganda Wildlife Education Centre) where the many native animals were kept. However at this time she also developed a concern for the welfare of these animals after seeing them living in such small cages. This practice of keeping animals in cages stirred her to actively participate in a tree -planting activity at the then zoo in 1992 to increase greenery in the area. This activity was geared towards to creating a more natural and spacious home for the animals. Her interest in the environment grew and in 2000 she enrolled in Environmental Management at Makerere University in Kampala. She graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts.
Her initial interest in the environment then inspired her to volunteer with the Jane Goodall Institute in Uganda from October 2006 to March 2007. At this time, she was also pursuing her Masters of Science degree in Environmental Management at Nkumba University. During her time volunteering at the Jane Goodall Institute she gained experience in the Institutes's Education Programme, which helps teachers to integrate Environmental Education into the Ugandan education curriculum.
In April 2007 she received an opportunity to work as an Education Programmes Assistant, which she embraced with delight. She is excited to continue working closely with the teachers to help them integrate Environmental Education into the school curriculum. She believes that the best way to build a foundation for children to help them make informed decisions, especially as future leaders and users of environmental resources.
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OFFICE STAFF
RACHEL BITARABEHO - OFFICE MANAGER & CASHIER
Rachel comes from Kabale district, in the south western part of Uganda. Graduated from Ndejje University with a degree in Business Administration in 2003.
She joined MEDECO SACCO where she was working as an office administrator. In June 2006 she joined the JGI team taking on a challenging and interesting position of office manager/cashier.
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RUTH KEMIGABO HOUSE KEEPING
Ruth Started with JGI in December 2006. Ruth duties include cleaning of the office and cooking lunches and caring for the dogs and other stray animals that happen to arrive at our office. Ruth is an integral part of the team whose energy and enthusiasm for her work and love for the animals is an inspiration to us all. We do have to watch she does not over do it with the dogs though! |
TOM ACHIDRI MAINTAINENCE & SECURITY
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Tom comes from the West Nile Region in Uganda. He is of the Lugbara Tribe. Tom has been working for our organisation over the past number of years as a casual fill in when someone was on leave or sick. In 2007, we employed Tom as a fulltime employee to in charge of Maintenance & Security for the office. Luckily for Tom during this time he was fortunate enough to secure a scholarship to continue with his studies at Nkumba University. This scholarship is being sponsored by the staff of Disney Animal Kingdom. Tom hopes to complete a degree in environmental management in the next 3 years and then move into a field position helping to protect Uganda’s fragile environment. Due to these studies, Tom now covers the weekend and holiday roster for us at the office, taking care of the yard, security and maintenance amongst other things.
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Other non human staff members
Guard Duty is carried out by our 4 dogs:
CHIPPA - Retired security officer
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Chippa was rescued after being run over , her right foreleg was broken. Our resident vet, Dr. Apell put her in a cast. Chippa is believed to be approximately 12 years old. While she is slow to move around these days, she is still a force to be reckoned with if she thinks one of her human friends are under threat.
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TINKER
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Who is our prime ball chaser and great barker when visitors arrived is just 2 years old. Her colour means she is special to the locals and she is well known amongst the security guards around Entebbe. Tinker’s prime pleasure in life is chasing her orange ball.
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SCRAPPY
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The apprentice. Scrappy was rescued on the road in Jinja at Christmas 2006. He is just over a year old now, the baby of the pack and still learning his role from the others. He loves to talk or yodel rather than bark.
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LEVI
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Wishes to be the house dog! Levi was rescued by our former Deputy Director, Cherie Montgomery who found him on the side of the road as an abandoned puppy. He is a cross between a Labrador and Ridgeback. Apart from his guarding duties, since he loves going for car rides and is great with people especially kids we sometimes use him to teach Ugandans not be afraid of dogs and see them as pets.
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JUA & PUPS Vermin Control Officers
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Jua is a Swahili name that means the sun. Jua basically patrols and resides in the upstairs rooms while Pups, who was missed named by someone who did not know the English word for kitten, lives and patrols downstairs in the office. Both this old ladies of 11 and 13 years respectively have been with the organisation for the past 10 years. They are invaluable as vermin control.
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