This year’s gorilla-naming ceremony (Kwita Izina) will see 18 new born gorillas named, in Kinigi, Musanze District.

The event, due on July 1, will also mark 10 years of promoting the conservation of the endangered species, under the theme; ‘A Decade: Conserving Empowering-Growing’.

This was announced yesterday by Amb. Yamina Karitanyi, the head of tourism and conservation at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), at a news briefing a news conference at the RDB head quarters, in Kigali.

Karitanyi said this year’s celebration will focus on giving back to the communities that have been vital in conservation efforts.

"We will not only celebrate the births of one of the world’s most endangered species but also the efforts of individuals, organisations and nations involved in the preservation of these rare primates,” she said.

Karitanyi explained that Rwanda’s community-led conservation efforts have led to a 26.3 per cent growth in the population of gorillas since 2003 and Kwita Izina has been key to this success.

The tenth Kwita Izina will be preceeded by a series of activities starting with the launch of Basumba Primary School in Bigogwe, Nyabihu District on June 26.

The six-classroom block has been built with funds from the Revenue Sharing Scheme which gives 5 per cent of tourism profits from National Parks back to the communities surrounding the gorilla habitat.

This year’s event will attract over 300 international visitors, officials said.

The list of high profile visitors and ‘namers’ of baby gorillas is yet to be released.

Kwita Izina ceremony has seen 161 baby gorillas named, since its inception in 2003. Rwanda has a total of 295 gorillas.

Earlier this year, Kwita Izina won second prize in the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Ulysses Awards for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance.

Regional tourism venture

This years’ Kwitza Izina will see a joint involvement from tourism and conservation authorities of neighbouring countries under the umbrella of East African Community joint tourism marketing initiative.

"We have invited the tourism authorities from neighbouring countries to share experiences and promote the tourism sector together,” Karitanyi said.

Two weeks ago, Rwanda joined Uganda in marking of Martyrs Day that falls on June 3.

This has also been enabled by the promotion of a single tourist visa between Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.  

Tourism growth

Under the economic development and poverty reduction strategy (EDPRS II), tourism receipts are expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 25 per cent until 2017.

In 2013, Rwanda hosted a total of 1,137,000 visitors who generated $294m, up from $62m in 2000.

A statement from RDB said this increase is attributed to Rwanda’s attractiveness as a travel destination, as well as  new airline routes operated by the national carrier RwandAir,

Kwita Izina is inspired by the ancient Rwandan tradition of naming babies soon after they are born. Mountain gorillas have been named in a celebration of nature and the communities who protect the magnificent animals.

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KWITA IZINA ACTIVITIES

June 26: Official launch of Basumba Primary School in Bigogwe, Nyabihu District.

June 28: Global Umuganda. Participants will have an opportunity to participate in the Global Umuganda,  a practice that shows Rwanda’s commitment to cleaning and conserving the environment.

June 28: Meetings, Serena Hotel, Kigali: This platform will provide an opportunity for local tourism operators to showcase Rwanda tourism experiences to domestic, regional and international markets.  

June 29-30: Gorilla Conservation and Community Exhibition at Musanze Stadium. The aim of the exhibition is to showcase what has been achieved in conservation and community empowerment through the 5 per cent revenue sharing scheme.  

June 30: Igitaramo (Community party) in Kinigi is a night of cultural immersion with performances from local dance troupes and musicians. 

July 1: Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony at Volcanoes National Park.