PHOTOS: Akamanzi tells tales of poachers turned into conservationists at Kwita Izina Gala Dinner

Rwanda Development Board (RDB) hosted a gala dinner to honour gorilla namers of the recently concluded 19th Kwita Izina ceremony for their tireless efforts supporting Rwanda’s conservation journey and the contribution of each partner including park rangers, and other players in the tourism industry. At the gala dinner, Clare Akamanzi, CEO of RDB, noted that in the journey of 19 years since the naming initiative in 2005, the then-almost-extinct mountain gorillas have grown by 26 percent to 604 gorillas. ALSO READ: Kagame discusses partnership with gorilla namers “Kwita izina means the growth of the meaning of lives of people that live around the gorillas. We have so many stories of people that used to be poachers but today, they are the number one defenders of gorillas,” she said. She thanked the guests for their continued support in promoting Rwanda’s tourism industry and contribution to conservation efforts. ALSO READ: Kwita Izina: First Lady pledges continued conservation efforts as Rwanda develops The colorful evening was a mixture of good music and live painting of two baby gorilla faces as the participants vibrantly interacted with each other over food and drinks throughout. Performing artistes included Nyundo Band, Christiane Boukuru, Dawidi, Mani Martin, and Ruti Joel.

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PHOTOS: Akamanzi tells tales of poachers turned into conservationists at Kwita Izina Gala Dinner