Walking with Gorillas finds a new voice in audiobook launch

What the report says

The Independent Uganda reports that Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka has launched the audiobook edition of her memoir, “Walking with Gorillas,” at Sheraton Kampala Hotel on August 20, 2026. The launch drew conservationists, tourism and hospitality players, diplomats and other guests interested in biodiversity and environmental protection. The audiobook is narrated by Kalema-Zikusoka herself and was produced with Stone Age Pictures.

According to the article, the memoir traces her path from an animal-loving student to Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian and her work around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It also highlights her belief that gorilla conservation depends on the health and livelihoods of surrounding communities. Through her organisation, Conservation Through Public Health, founded in 2003, she has promoted a One Health approach linking human health, wildlife protection and ecosystem care. The report says this work has reached thousands of households near Bwindi through health, sanitation, family planning and livelihood initiatives.

The launch also carried a tourism message. Kalema-Zikusoka said the hardcopy book had already encouraged some readers to travel to Uganda to see gorillas, and she hopes the audiobook will broaden that reach through platforms such as Audible. Sheraton Kampala also introduced a conservation mascot, Zongo, and said a share of revenue from related collectibles will support mountain gorilla conservation through CTPH. EU Ambassador Jan Sadek and hotel officials used the event to underline the link between hospitality, tourism and conservation.