Rwanda’s annual #KwitaIzina ceremony once again brought together globally renowned personalities to name baby gorillas, a tradition aimed at promoting wildlife conservation and tourism. This year, the 20th edition celebrated 40 baby gorillas from 15 families, with star participants including Nigerian pop sensation Yemi Alade and former Arsenal footballer Bacary Sagna. The event was graced by notable guests, including Rwanda’s First Lady Jeannette Kagame.
A peek into the meaningful names given by the celebrities:
- Khaby Lame – Ogera
- Princess Ingeborg – Burere
- Schleswig-Holstein – Ntarungu
- Professor Senait Fisseha – Mwizerwa
- Dr. Sang-Hyup Kim – Impuguke
- David S. Marriott – Urugwiro
- Dr. Yin Ye – Tekana
- Charlie & Caroline Mayhew – Ntavogerwa
- Claver Ntoyinkima – Nyunganizi
- Michael Bay – Umurage
- Michelle Yeoh – Rwogere
- Jean Todt – Ruvugiro
- Matthew Harris – Mwungeri
- Khadja Nin – Garuka
- Mathieu Flamini – Rubuga
- Laura Kabasomi Kakoma ‘Somi’ – Iwacu
- Alliance Umwizerwa – Mushumba Mwiza
- Leonard Nsengiyumva and Theogene Bimenyimana – Amahitamo
- Dr. Gaspar Nzayisenga – Unguka
- Dieudonné Gato – Rufatiro
- Brenda Umutoni – Tsinda
Other remarkable names from the event included:
- Yemi Alade – Kundwa
- Reed Oppenheimer – Tengamara
- Athanasie Mukabizimungu – Cyubahiro
- Dr. Edward Hult – Rwandanziza
- Susan Sinegal – Muvugizi
- Gagan Gupta – Mpinganzima
- Camille Rebelo – Rugano
- Luis Garcia – Iraba
- Bacary Sagna – Amahumbezi
- Xi Zhinong – Izere
- Lee Ehmke – Shyamba
- Susan Chin – Cyerekezo
- Javier Pastore – Ganza
- Ruth Fisher – Inkomoko
- Vivien Ressler – Higa
- Niyonzima Jean de Dieu – Terimbere
Former Arsenal star Bacary Sagna named a baby gorilla "Amahumbezi."
Footballer Javier Pastore named a baby gorilla "Ganza."
Nigerian singer Yemi Alade named her baby gorilla "Kundwa," symbolizing love.
Celebrities showcased Rwanda’s cultural heritage by dressing in traditional attire.
Rwanda’s #KwitaIzina has become globally famed for promoting conservation and tourism