My Story

Connie (Profile of Ngamba Island’s foster mother)

I was confiscated at a roadblock near Mbarara and taken to Uganda Wildlife Education Centre at a very young age and later moved to Ngamba Island in October 1998. I have no happy memories from my childhood nor do I remember my mother’s face. At the very least I thought I could but I don’t.

That’s why I always said to myself that one day, if given a chance I would take care of baby Chimpanzee’s like they were my own and give them the love and attention that I never had.

My name is Mama Connie, Ngamba Islands trusted foster mother. I bet whenever they bring in a baby chimp these days, they are confident Mama Connie will foster him/ her, no worries.

For instance my current baby Sara, I still remember the day I touched her sweet young brown face. She’s a big girl now and I know for a fact she enjoys the thrill of being babied and carried in the forest. But Sarah is just one of the many children I have fostered.

I have older foster children like Nkuumwa, Kazahukire, Oketch, Ikuru, Ndyakira, Nakuu, Asega and Pasa.

But I was only able to fully adopt Nkuumwa, Kazahukire and Sara, that is because some of my children were able to live on their own within three months, six months or a years’ time. I’ve lived my life for 27 years and each of those years I’ve been content because I get to watch my children pull off some extraordinary Chimp stunts. Deep down I smile to myself and say, I taught them that.

Want to see how old my children are now? Find me at Ngamba Island.

1000 pant hoots

Connie