From award-winning wildlife filmmakers and international football legends to business leaders, musicians and beauty queens, a diverse group of global personalities is set to converge in Kinigi on Friday, September 4, 2026, for the 21st Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony.
The annual event will bring together distinguished figures who will have the honour of naming Rwanda’s newest mountain gorillas, celebrating the country’s conservation achievements while highlighting the importance of protecting one of the world’s most endangered species.
Among the prominent personalities announced as gorilla namers are British filmmaker and environmentalist Alastair Fothergill, former Manchester United and France star Patrice Evra, former France international Mamadou Sakho, UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais, Egyptian industrialist Ahmed Sadek Elsewedy, Rwandan gospel singer Israel Mbonyi and Miss Belgium 2024 Kenza Ameloot.
Alastair Fothergill is one of the most recognisable names in natural-history filmmaking.
The British filmmaker has played a major role in some of the world’s most acclaimed wildlife documentaries, including Planet Earth and Blue Planet.
His work has helped bring the beauty and vulnerability of wildlife to millions of viewers around the world.
His connection to Rwanda’s mountain gorillas is particularly notable.
Fothergill was involved in A Gorilla Story, a documentary exploring the lives of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains.
His participation in Kwita Izina therefore brings together his decades-long commitment to wildlife storytelling and conservation with Rwanda’s efforts to protect its gorilla population.
Another high-profile participant is Shaikha Al Nuwais, an Emirati tourism leader who is set to become the first woman to serve as Secretary-General of UN Tourism.
Her career in tourism and hospitality has focused on destination development, sustainability and international cooperation, making her participation particularly relevant to Rwanda’s conservation-based tourism model.
Business and industry will be represented by Eng. Ahmed Sadek Elsewedy, a senior figure in the Egyptian Elsewedy business group.
His career has centred on industrial management, infrastructure, energy and business development, areas that complement Kwita Izina’s wider message about the role of sustainable investment in Africa’s development.
Football will have two major representatives at the ceremony.
Patrice Evra, the former Manchester United and France left-back, is among the international sporting personalities invited to name a baby gorilla.
Evra enjoyed a highly successful career at Manchester United, winning five Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2008.
He also represented France at international level and remains one of the most recognisable former players of his generation.
Former France international Mamadou Sakho will also take part.
The Paris-born defender began his professional career at Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Liverpool, where he became an important figure in the club’s defence.
He also represented France and played at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Rwanda’s entertainment industry will be represented by gospel singer Israel Mbonyi, one of the country’s most popular contemporary gospel artists.
Known for his worship music and large-scale concerts, Mbonyi has developed a significant following both in Rwanda and beyond.
His involvement brings a strong cultural and home-grown dimension to this year’s ceremony.
Kenza Ameloot Johanna, who was crowned Miss Belgium 2024, will add another international and Rwandan connection to the event.
Born in Belgium to a Rwandan mother, Gakire Joselyne, and a Belgian father, Ameloot grew up and pursued her education in Belgium before establishing herself as a professional model.
Her Rwandan heritage gives her participation a personal connection to the country and makes her appearance at Kwita Izina particularly significant. As a beauty queen and public figure, she has also used her platform to support humanitarian causes.
Together, the 2026 gorilla namers represent different worlds conservation, filmmaking, tourism, business, football, music and fashion—yet they will share one responsibility in Kinigi: giving names to Rwanda’s newest mountain gorillas.
The growing list of high-profile namers demonstrates the international appeal of Kwita Izina, which has evolved into more than a naming ceremony.
It has become a global platform for conservation, sustainable tourism, investment and community development.
As the world turns its attention to Kinigi on September 4, the personalities taking part will not only give names to baby gorillas but also help amplify a wider message: that protecting endangered wildlife requires global attention, local commitment and collective responsibility.
