Since completing the Master’s degree in International Animal Health at the University of Edinburgh, I have continued to apply and expand the knowledge and skills gained through the programme in advancing wildlife health and conservation across Africa. The programme provided a solid foundation in epidemiology, disease control, and international approaches to animal health, all of which have been directly relevant to my professional responsibilities in wildlife conservation. As part of my dissertation year, my project focused on Brucella positivity in Ugandan wildlife. The work was later published in BMC Veterinary Research (Aruho et al., 2021).Following my graduation, I served for over five years as Senior Wildlife Veterinarian and Head of Species Programs at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), where I led numerous species recovery initiatives through wildlife reintroduction programs across Uganda’s protected areas in collaboration with local and international partners. Profile picture of Dr Robert Aruho, MSc IAH graduated in 2017 Currently, I serve as the Head of Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, where I am leading the reintroduction of the critically endangered Mountain Bongo, a flagship conservation effort undertaken in partnership with government agencies, research institutions, and international conservation organisations. This work represents one of Africa’s most ambitious species recovery initiatives and is contributing to the long-term restoration of a species once on the brink of extinction.Beyond my managerial and technical roles, I am an active member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, serving on the Antelope, Giraffe, and Okapi Specialist Groups. My contributions to conservation have been recognised internationally, including being named a finalist for the Kiessling International Conservation Prize—the first African to receive this honour. My work has been featured widely in leading media outlets such as The New York Times, BBC’s “The Gentle Giants”, and NTV Wild and published in some books for young children.The International Animal Health programme at the University of Edinburgh was instrumental in shaping my professional trajectory. It enhanced my capacity to integrate academic knowledge with field-based conservation, improved my leadership and expanded my international collaborations. The skills and global perspective acquired through the CSC-funded training have enabled me to make meaningful contributions to endangered species conservation across Africa demonstrating the long-term impact of the Commonwealth Scholarship on conservation leadership and sustainable wildlife management.Aruho R, MacLeod ET, Manirakiza L, Rwego IB. A serological survey of brucellosis in wildlife in four major National Parks of Uganda. BMC Vet Res. 2021 Mar 1;17(1):95. doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02782-4. This article was published on 2025-11-07
