Rwandans and guests including former South Africa and Mozambique First Lady Graca Machel, former Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo and Arsenal legend Lauren have today named 23 gorilla infants.
The 14th ceremony locally known as Kwita Izina was held Friday at the volcanoes foothill in Kinigi, Musanze District of the Northern Province.
The infants were mainly born between July 2017 and June 2018.
Prime Minister Dr Edouard Ngirente the gorilla naming exercise cements the country’s efforts towards the conservation.
He said the mountain gorilla population is only in the Virunga Park spanning from Rwanda and neighbouring countries, making a valuable asset that should be conserved.
Rwanda Development Board (RDB) reports that gorilla population increased from 480 in 2010 to 604 in 2016.
19 other gorilla infants were given names last year.
RDB CEO Clare Akamanzi said that Rwanda has invested many efforts in tourism.
The recent efforts include a video documentary in which President Paul Kagame acted showcasing the country’s attractions. The video has now got over 73 million views worldwide.
The latest and most talked about initiative is the Arsenal-Rwanda deal dubbed ‘Visit Rwanda.’
Akamanzi said that in just two weeks following the deal signing, Google searches about Rwanda increased significantly.
She said that, as opposed to earlier searches pointing at the genocide, Visit Rwanda shifted search dominance on Google to hotels and more about Rwanda’s aspect.
Akamanzi said that Rwanda targets to reach $800 million as tourism revenues by 2024. The revenues stood at $438 million in 2017.
She said Rwanda is also developing infrastructure to support tourism.
The developments include Bugesera International Airport which is under construction and the expansion of national carrier, RwandAir, which currently operates 25 destinations in Africa, Europe and Asia.
Rwanda Air plans to open new destinations including those to the United States and China by 2019.
Gorilla infants’ names
All clad in Rwanda’s traditional attire, the following team named 23 gorilla babies.
Hong Liang & Xinyu Zhang gave one the name of ‘Urugero’ meaning exemplary.
Laureano Bisan Etamé-Mayer named a baby gorilla ‘Ikipe’ meaning a team.
Judith Kakuze named one ‘Indakemwa’ meaning blameless or honest.
Strive Masiyiwa named one ‘Ishusho’ meaning image.
Peter Riedel named one ‘Umusaruro’ meaning production.
Alexandra Virina Scott named one ‘Izahabu’ meaning gold.
Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall named one ‘Amatungo’ meaning livestock.
Jeannette Uwiragiye named one ‘Irebe’ meaning precious.
Amadou Gallo Fall named one ‘Kwiyongera’ meaning increase.
Graca Machel ‘Urugori’, a ring-like traditional head wear for women.
