Justice for Kambale Kighoma Guillaume, recognition and reward for the recovery of two baby gorillas (Gorilla Kighoma in February 2009 and Gorilla Ihome in June 2011)

Phone: +243 994 132 551; Email: guykambale2@gmail.com

We, the undersigned, demand justice for Mr. Kambale Kighoma Guillaume, a nature conservationist and committed citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who risked his life to save two baby gorillas, including Kighoma in February 2009 (https://gracegorillas.org/ 2018/01/10/kighoma/) and Ihome in June 2011 (https://gorillafund.org/uncategorized/new-infant-gorilla-ihome-arrives-at-grace/ from uncivilized people in Bunyatenge, a village adjacent to the Tayna Nature Reserve (RNT), Lubero Territory, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The two baby gorillas were welcomed at the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center (GRACE Gorillas, https://gracegorillas.org Kasugho Sanctuary, thanks to the courage of Mr. Kighoma, from whom one inherited its name and the other the name of one of Mr. Kighoma's ancestors; evidence exists. 

Kighoma, the male gorilla who is the symbol of the GRACE Gorillas sanctuary and critically endangered, is an impressive silverback.

However, to date, he has received no monthly bonus, official recognition, or moral support, despite the verbal promises made at the time.

Mr. Kighoma is among those who sacrificed themselves to contribute to the successful creation of the Tayna Gorilla Reserve (RGT) in 1998 (https://gorillafund.org/uncategorized/fossey-fund-becomes-primary-partner-with-the-tayna-gorilla-reserve/ and the Kasugho sanctuary, a project of the Kasugho University of Nature Conservation and Development (UCNDK) since 2002, during the prospecting and initial demarcation of the Kasugho University of Nature Conservation and Development (UCNDK) concession carried out by Mr. Kighoma on October 28, 2002.

Mr. Kighoma was also an ecosystem defender for the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (PNVi-C) from 1989 to 1998.

Every time Mr. Kighoma demands that his rights be restored, he is subjected to intimidation, threats, and social injustice. 

In 2021, an arrest warrant was issued against the Director of GRACE (Jackson KABUAYAYA MBEKE) in connection with the dispute between Mr. Kambale Kighoma Guillaume and the organization. According to available information, the latter never appeared in court, thus escaping any legal proceedings, which has left the case without legal follow-up to date.

We call on the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center (GRACE Gorillas), Kasugho Sanctuary, the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), and the national and international donors (partners) of GRACE Gorillas, Kasugho Sanctuary, to:

- Publicly recognize the act of bravery of Mr. Kambale Kighoma Guillaume,

- Pay him the promised monthly rescue bonuses,

- Recognize the efforts of local wildlife protectors.

Environmental justice cannot exist without social justice. Let us support and encourage those who protect our endangered wildlife species.

July 14, 2025