Prince Charles names a baby gorilla in a star-studded conservation ceremony in Rwanda.

Tens of thousands of people flocked Kinigi on Friday, September 2, to witness the 18th edition of the annual conservation event dubbed “Kwita Izina “, a baby gorilla naming ceremony.

The New Times journalist Gloria Iribagiza reports that twenty babies gorilla were named in the annual conservation event that is held at the foot of the Volcano National Park in the district of Musanze bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

He named the baby Ubwuzuzanye which means harmony in Kinyarwanda.

This name was chosen to raise awareness of the need for humanity to come together as one to protect the environment and achieve sustainable development.

Mukansanga named the baby Kwibohora which means liberation in Kinyarwanda.

This name was chosen to highlight the role liberation has played in conservation as a sustainable tourism and development foundation.

He named the baby Nyirindekwe, which means protector. This name was chosen to celebrate the mountain gorillas’ protective nature and their role as guardians of their forest habitat.

Professional Racing Driver and Presenter @NaomiSchiff will join us in Kinigi, @MusanzeDistrict this Friday to name a newborn baby mountain gorilla. #Kwitaizina

This name was chosen to celebrate the unwavering commitment of the Rwandan people to the protection of the mountain gorillas.

Imbaduko was born to Akamaro, a member of the Kureba family.

He named him Ubusugire, which means integrity in Kinyarwanda.

This name was chosen to celebrate the efforts of communities and conservationists to protect and ensure the integrity of Rwanda’s biodiverse national parks.

Itzhak Fisher, the @RDBrwanda chairman, names his baby gorilla ‘Intare’ — Lion.

Intare was born on August 1, 2022, and his name means lion in Kinyarwanda.

He was named after Fisher’s father-in-law, a Holocaust survivor who was called Leo, which also means lion.

It was also chosen to recognize an important conservation milestone in Rwanda, the successful reintroduction of lions in Akagera National Park.

Dr. Cindy Descalzi Pereira names a baby gorilla Ubwitange, which means Sacrifice.

She named her Ubwitange, which means sacrifice in Kinyarwanda.

The name was chosen to recognize the selflessness and dedication of park staff, local communities, and conservation partners to the conservation of biodiversity.

Ubwitange’s mother is called Nsanganira.

Thomas Milz, the Board Director – Sales and Marketing at @VWGroup South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa, names his baby gorilla ‘Ruragendwa’ — Hospitable.

Thomas Milz, Board Director, Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen Group South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa named a baby gorilla Ruragendwa, which means hospitable in Kinyarwanda.

The name was chosen to recognize the welcoming nature of Rwandans, and the famous Rwandan hospitality visitors enjoy when visiting the country.

Ruragendwa is from the Noheli family and was born to Ruhuka on June 10, 2022.

The baby was named Ihuriro, which means hub in Kinyarwanda.

The name was chosen to showcase Rwanda as a vibrant hub for music, fashion, and culture, as well as eco-tourism and investment.

The name was chosen to recognize the admirable and noble nature of the mountain gorillas.

Ikuzo was born to the Noheli family, to Umwe, on December 13, 2021.

Kaddu Sebunya, the seasoned conservationist who leads @AWF_Official, is clad in traditional attire for the gorilla naming ceremony.

Kaddu Sebunya, CEO of the African Wildlife Foundation named Igitangaza’s daughter Indatezuka, a name that means resilient in Kinyarwanda, which was chosen to highlight the resilience of the Rwandan people and the protection of the country’s biodiversity.

Indatezuka was born in the Mutobo family on September 13, 2021.

Louise Mushikiwabo

Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie named Urahirwa’s son Turikumwe, which means ‘we are together in Kinyarwanda and translates to ‘on est ensemble’ in French, a popular saying in Rwanda.

The name was chosen to highlight the importance of working together to achieve successful conservation outcomes and to recognize the many partners who contribute to protecting the mountain gorillas.

Turikumwe is part of Ntambara’s family and was born on April 8, 2022.

Dr
@EvanAntin
, a presenter and renowned veterinarian, names his baby gorilla ‘Igicumbi’ which means Sanctuary.

Evan Antin, a renowned veterinarian, and television presenter named a baby gorilla from the Susa family who was born on September 14, 2021, to Ingufu.

 Neri Bukspan

Neri Bukspan, Managing Director, Standard & Poor’s Credit Market Service

They named her Indangagaciro, which means values in Kinyarwanda. The name was chosen to highlight the value Rwanda attaches to preservation and conservation.

Indangagaciro was born to Ubufatanye.

Muganga Mwiza was born to Umwali on October 4, 2021, in the Susa family.

Frank I. Luntz

Frank Luntz, chairman, and chief executive officer of Luntz Global Partners

Frank I. Luntz, Founder, and President, of Luntz Global, also named a baby gorilla from the Susa family, but a female born to Tamu on January 10, 2022.

He named her Baho, which means living in Kinyarwanda. The name was chosen to celebrate the sustained life of mountain gorillas, and their bright future thanks to conservation efforts.

Imararungu is from the Noheli family and was born in Umuco on August 4, 2021.

Kwanda was born on October 12, 2021, in the Musirikare family.

Ishani is Twiyubake’s son, who was born on July 28, 2022, in the Muhoza family.

Sauti Sol, a Music band from Kenya

Sauti Sol, the Musical Band, named a gorilla family Kwisanga, which means “feel at home” in Kinyarwanda, as a celebration of the peaceful splitting of the Kwitonda group that left both groups equally sharing members.

Since Kwisanga and Kwitonda were formed in May 2021, the groups have met several times without any aggressive interactions, allowing memos from the two families to meet and socialize.