10/05/2025
What You Didn’t Know About the Silverback Gorilla Sculpture at Entebbe international Airport (departures): Meet RUHONDEZA 🦍 - The Gentle Giant of Bwindi.
Ruhondeza was the dominant silverback of the Mubare gorilla family - the first group to be habituated in Uganda in 1991 and opened for tourism in 1993. At the time, he was estimated to be between 28 and 32 years old. His name, Ruhondeza, means “one who loves sleeping,” a fitting reflection of his calm, gentle nature.
He led a group of 17 individuals with remarkable peace and stability. By the time he passed away on 27th June 2012, at around 50 years old, Ruhondeza had been seen by over 50,000 tourists. As the most photographed gorilla in Bwindi, he became a symbol of Uganda’s conservation success.
Unlike other gorillas, Ruhondeza spent his final days not deep in the forest, but near the village, surrounded by locals - an extraordinary gesture of trust and connection. His legacy lives on as a peaceful leader and a pioneer in Uganda’s gorilla tourism.
Let’s honour Ruhondeza’s legacy by protecting those who remain. Join the movement to conserve Uganda’s mountain gorillas, because one family saved is a future preserved
