On September 5th, 2025, Rwanda celebrates the 20th Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony that took place in the foothills of Volcanoes National Park. The event began as a Rwandan tradition that was observed ten generations ago; it is a unique approach to celebrating the birth of mountain gorillas by giving each newborn a meaningful name to conserve some names that can help in conservation trekking and global awareness. The most significant thing at the event was that 40 baby gorillas were named under this year’s theme, “A legacy of community-centered conservation, securing a sustainable future for all.” AWESOME!”

Such names included Izere, which means “hope,” and Ganza, which means “conquer.” These names symbolized resilience and optimism and at the same time enhanced a special bond between the people and gorillas. Since its launch in 2005, Kwita Izina has named nearly 400 gorilla infants, highlighting Rwanda’s conservation success story. The mountain gorilla population in the Virunga Massif increased from 880 in 2012 to more than 1,060 today, thanks to collaboration between rangers, communities, and conservationists.

At Let’s Go Gorilla Uganda, we celebrate this milestone alongside our neighbors in Rwanda. With Uganda’s own Bwindi and Mgahinga parks thriving, the ceremony is a reminder of our shared regional commitment to protecting these endangered giants for generations to come.