President Paul Kagame received at his office in Village Urugwiro several individuals who named baby gorillas during the 21st Kwita Izina ceremony, including Dominic Barton, Chairman of the Boards of Rio Tinto and LeapFrog Investments.
Other personalities received by President Kagame included Shaikha Al Nuwais, Secretary General of the United Nations Tourism Organization, Paul Danforth, President of CAA Sports, and Patrice Evra, the former captain of Manchester United and the French national team. All of them took part in the ceremony to name 22 baby gorillas, which was held in Kinigi on September 4, 2026.
Dominic Barton
Dominic Barton is the Chairman of the Boards of Rio Tinto and LeapFrog Investments. He previously served as Global Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company and as Canada’s Ambassador to China.
Barton named a gorilla from the Izuba family Umukondo. Barton is a Canadian businessman and author who was born in April 1962 in London. President Kagame also held discussions with Dominic Barton on the sidelines of his visit.
Paul Danforth
Paul Danforth is the President of CAA Sports, an international company involved in sports-related business. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Business Operations at the New York Mets.
Danforth named a gorilla from the Susa family Shikama. He is a prominent figure in the sports business industry and is known for his contribution to the development of the global sports and entertainment sector.
The American is President of CAA Sports, the sports division of Creative Artists Agency, one of the world’s leading agencies representing athletes, talents and sports properties.
In 2010 and 2011, Danforth was named among the most influential sports executives in the United States under the age of 40.
He studied at Hartwick College, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management between 1989 and 1993.
President Kagame also held discussions with CAA Sports President Paul Danforth.
ALSO READ: https://agaciropress.com/rwanda-and-botswana-strengthen-military-cooperation/
Shaikha Al Nuwais
Meanwhile, Shaikha Al Nuwais is the Secretary-General of the United Nations Tourism Organization.
She is the first Arab woman in the history of the organization, which has existed for more than 50 years, to hold this position.
Shaikha Al Nuwais named a gorilla from the Umuhoza family Ishakwe.
President Kagame held discussions with Shaikha Al Nuwais during her visit to Rwanda for Kwita Izina.
ALSO READ: https://agaciropress.com/rwanda-army-provides-free-medical-services-to-2874-tanzanian-residents/
Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra is a former French professional footballer who played for clubs including Manchester United, AS Monaco FC and Juventus.
During his career, he won several trophies, including the UEFA Champions League in 2008, and made 81 appearances for the French national team.
Evra named a baby gorilla from the Izuba family Muganura.
He was born on May 15, 1981, in Dakar, Senegal, and played as a left-back.
Apart from football, Evra is also known for his charitable activities and for using his social media platforms to inspire people and promote causes he is passionate about.
ALSO READ: https://agaciropress.com/president-kagame-holds-discussions-with-rdb-board-of-directors/
Kwita Izina Brings Global Personalities to Rwanda
The participation of international figures from business, tourism and sports highlights the growing global profile of Rwanda’s Kwita Izina ceremony.
The 21st edition brought together personalities from different sectors to celebrate mountain gorilla conservation and Rwanda’s commitment to protecting wildlife and its natural environment.
