Mt. Muhavura in Kisoro district with snow at the top. Conservationists are seeking protection of such sites

By Gerald Tenywa

UGANDA’s part of Mountain Rwenzori has been declared a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance).
This brings the total number of such sites in Uganda to 12.

Categorising a wetland as a Ramsar site increases conservation efforts by both the local and international community.

Paul Mafabi, the commissioner in-charge of wetlands, said Rwenzori was declared a ramsar site because it is one of the few areas covered with snow at the equator.

He explained that as the snow melts, it forms wetlands, referred to as bogs, which supply rivers Semliki, Mobuku and Nyamwamba with water.

Mafabi said the new site covers 99,500 hectares, has a boundary of 1,646 metres above sea level and covers a snow line of 5,091 metres above sea level.

The livelihoods of millions of people depend on the Rwenzori because the water and the rich soils are important for agriculture, he said.

Mafabi said the water that feeds Lake George, one of the most productive lakes in Africa, comes from Mountain Rwenzori. The mountain was declared a national park over a decade ago.

“We expect increased awareness and attention globally about the plight of the receding glaciers,” Mafabi said.
“It is now a global issue since it is a Ramsar site instead of a national park.” He said they had come up with strategies to engage the local communities and the development partners in the conservation programme.

In a separate interview last Wednesday, Vincent Barugahare of the wetlands management department in the environment ministry, said the DR Congo was working on a proposal to classify the remaining part of Rwenzori as a Ramsar site.

“We had a meeting with the government officials from the DR Congo last year to share data because we are working towards establishing a transboundary Ramsar site,” he said.

“Uganda moved ahead of Congo, but their application will probably be considered soon.”

Barugahare said the new site would provide an insight on the disappearing snow and monitor climate change.
Lake George was the first wetland to be gazetted as a Ramsar site in 1988. It was followed by Nabugabo in Masaka district.

Last year, nine Ramsar sites were added on the list. They include lakes Bisina, Nakuwa, Opeta, Lutembe and Mabamba. Others are the Murchison Falls, Nabajjuzi and Sango Bay.