One of the gifts Gorilla Highlands Experts (GHE) — specialists from a variety of fields — bring to our region is the annual Friendship Camp. The 2025 edition, which wrapped up on Sunday, proved once again that young minds have the power to together transform DR Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.
These youngsters have been dubbed “Gorilla Highlands Illumineers,” pioneers who illuminate the hilly cross-country area renowned for its great apes. This year’s cohort numbered 22. They debated, hiked, canoed and partied at Edirisa on Lake Bunyonyi, the birthplace of GHE. The lake’s sunrises and Edirisa’s superb meals created the perfect atmosphere to reflect and grow together.
But it was the experts who made the camp unforgettable, some in-person, some virtually. Stephanie Brancaforte contextualised the challenges and opportunities the region’s youth are facing. The Ambrose Kibuuka Show we featured in a separate post. Bruno Muhire was there to dive into ecotourism, and much more. Owen Bright talked about bridging the cultures of the region, and introduced the Batwa “Pygmy” delegates, Mesach Warren and his sister Eunice. David Tumusiime presented on East African unity and the importance of telling one’s own story.
Manuela Leone sparked a debate on the importance of circular economy, as did Sharon Oudejans on forest management. David Azumbrado travelled from America to enrich Illumineers’ learning for the second year in a row. Gary Zaremba shook the room with his delivery on goal-setting, leaving Illumineers sharp and ready to hold themselves accountable. Fred Way took all to the shores of Lake Kivu, and ML Rwebandira into the mind of LLMs.
The Camp highlighted the power of connection. Through honest conversations and shared experiences, the crew realised that we grow best when we support and learn from each other. Leaving Bunyonyi, they didn’t take memories only; they carried lessons, courage, and a strong belief that they already have what it takes to change the future of the Gorilla Highlands region.
GHE Friendship Camp 2025 was made possible through the generous support by Alenka Seher, Alex Wilson, Gary Zaremba, Gregor Majdic, Susan Robinson and anonymous donors.
For participants’ recollections please see the comments to the post on GH Illumineers’ Instagram account.
photos by Elie Cirhuza, Miha Logar, Keith Ngolobe Kaunda & Fred Way