Rwanda has celebrated the 21st edition of Kwita Izina, its annual gorilla naming ceremony, with 22 baby mountain gorillas receiving names at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park.
Held under the theme “Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future,” the ceremony brought together local communities, conservationists, government officials, partners and international guests to celebrate Rwanda’s mountain gorillas and the country’s decades-long conservation efforts.
The event was attended by Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Justin Nsengiyumva, as Guest of Honour, alongside former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and former Tanzanian Prime Minister Peter Pinda Mizengo.
Distinguished Namers from the worlds of conservation, tourism, business, sport, entertainment, philanthropy and public service bestowed names on the newborn gorillas, highlighting the shared responsibility of protecting the species and its habitat.
Speaking at the ceremony, Nsengiyumva recalled that only about 250 mountain gorillas remained in the Virunga Massif in the early 1980s. Today, more than 1,000 mountain gorillas live in the wild, including more than 600 in the Virunga Massif.
“This remarkable recovery did not happen by chance,” he said, attributing the progress to the persistence of rangers, the expertise of veterinarians and researchers, strong conservation policies, responsible tourism and collaboration among multiple stakeholders.
“Protecting nature cannot be separated from improving people’s lives, just as national conservation efforts cannot be separated from international cooperation,” he added.
Jean-Guy Afrika, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board, said the mountain gorilla represented what sustained commitment, strong institutions, community participation and international partnerships could achieve.
“This is an extraordinary conservation achievement, but it is also a reminder that our work must continue,” he said.
Maurice Mugabowagahunde, Governor of Rwanda’s Northern Province, said Kwita Izina provides an opportunity to recognise the value of the country’s natural heritage, encourage communities to protect biodiversity and highlight the role of Volcanoes National Park in the development of local communities and Rwanda as a whole.
22 gorillas receive names
The 22 newborn gorillas were given names reflecting values ranging from determination and courage to leadership, unity and commitment.
Among them, H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais named a female gorilla Ishakwe, meaning “determination”, from the Muhoza family. Dominic Barton named a male from the Izuba family Mukondo, meaning “starting point” or “source”, while Paul Danforth named a male from the historic Susa family Shikama, meaning “stand strong”.
Miguel Ángel Gil Marín named a male from the Pablo family Inkera, meaning “traditional celebration”, while Eng. Sadek Elsewedy and Anita Dravec named a male from the Hirwa family Rugamba, meaning “fighter”.
Other names included Mucyo (“light”), named by Olivier and Quitterie Granet; Ngabonzima (“protector”), named by Garreth and Nicola Wood; and Ndongozi (“leader”), named by Aston Villa legend James Chester.
Susan Hollern named a female Kambere, while Rwandan filmmaker Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo named a baby from the Humura family Bukaka, meaning “majesty, strength and power”.
Francesco Calvo named a male from the Kwitonda family Ngoga, meaning “brave” or “courageous”, while David Lappartient named a male from the Kwisanga family Muhuza, meaning “one who connects” or “brings together”.
The remaining names were Komezutsinde (“keep winning”), Mpinga (“on the top”), Tarama (“to socialise/come together”), Impeta (“award/symbol of recognition”), Igeno (“destiny”), Ruhembe (“at the forefront”), Ndahiro (“commitment”), Ntwarane (“united in pursuit of a common goal”), Muganura (“harvest/thanksgiving”) and Nkwakuzi (“brave persons”).
Among the Namers were Olympic high-jump champion Mutaz Essa Barshim, former French international footballers Mamadou Sakho and Patrice Evra, filmmaker Alastair Fothergill, Rwandan gospel singer Israel Mbonyi, Miss Belgium 2024 Kenza Johanna Ameloot and Nyungwe National Park ranger Jeannette Uwimbabazi.
With this year’s additions, the number of mountain gorillas named through Kwita Izina since the event became an official annual ceremony in 2005 has reached 460.
Music, dance and culture
In addition to the naming of the gorillas, Kwita Izina 2026 was marked by a celebration of Rwandan culture. Musicians, dance groups and folkloric performers were part of the programme in Kinigi.
Drums, traditional dances, distinctive clothing and choreographed performances gave the ceremony the character of a grand popular celebration, bringing together the protection of nature with Rwanda’s traditions and cultural identity.
Among the artists involved in the event was Rwandan singer Israel Mbonyi, a leading name in East African gospel music and one of the guests selected to participate in the naming of the gorillas.
The 2026 edition brought together guests from different countries and fields of expertise, including representatives from sports, culture, tourism, business and environmental conservation.
Conservation and communities
More than 1,060 mountain gorillas now live in the wild across the Virunga Massif and Bwindi ecosystem. Mountain gorillas are the only great ape whose wild population continues to increase, following decades of cooperation among governments, conservation organisations, researchers, veterinarians, rangers and local communities.
Kwita Izina also highlights the link between conservation, tourism and community development.
Under Rwanda’s Tourism Revenue Sharing Programme, 10% of national park tourism revenues is reinvested in communities surrounding protected areas. More than RWF 23 billion has so far supported nearly 1,300 community projects, including schools, health centres, water infrastructure and livelihood initiatives.
This year’s celebrations also included the groundbreaking of the Smart Green Village in Kinigi, part of the wider Volcanoes Community Resilience Project.
As part of its long-term conservation vision, Rwanda plans to expand Volcanoes National Park by approximately 3,740 hectares and establish around 6,620 hectares of buffer zones. The broader programme is expected to improve livelihoods for more than 17,000 people.
Kwita Izina, which means “to give a name” in Kinyarwanda, draws on Rwanda’s centuries-old tradition of naming newborn children in the presence of family and community.
Since becoming an official annual event in 2005, the ceremony has evolved into an international platform celebrating Rwanda’s conservation achievements while recognising the contribution of communities and partners to protecting mountain gorillas and their habitat.
