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Mt Rwenzori climbers are destined for superior services up the Mountains of the Moon if the current Government revamping strategy materialises.

The snow-capped mountain, astride the Equator, peaked at 16,795ft (5,109 metres) above sea level, a UNESCO world heritage site famous for its unique flora and fauna and for being the only one with snow at the equator, hosts Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) says the Government has prioritised the development of mountaineering into an internationally competitive tourism product in the country.

As part of the interventions, the government, through the ministry, together with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has identified the various infrastructures that are required in Rwenzori.

Govt injects sh10.7b in infrastructure revamp

Accordingly, the government, through the Ministry, has injected up to shillings 10.7b into revamping and expanding the Mt Rwenzori mountaineering infrastructure, which is also aimed at improving the numbers.

On April 18, the Ministry signed a contract worth sh10.7 billion with M/s Muhindo John and Friends Ltd to work on all the identified boardwalks and improve the central circuit trail and handed over the works at Mihunga, the Mountain’s main gate, on April 26.

“We are glad that the numbers visiting this National Park have now surpassed pre-COVID-19 figures,” said Samuel Kakula Kirome, the ministry’s Under Secretary, who represented the Permanent Secretary at the project handover,  

The works include 12,889 metres of boardwalks and 15 km of the central circuit.

The proposed boardwalks are in the Central Circuit trail and comprise Kalyarupia Upper, Guy Yeo Man, Kamatwa, Kicucu, Omumatsindi and Fresh Field Pass.

Others in the same location include Bujuku after the Lake, Bujuku after the Camp, Omwehimbe, John Maate Lower and Nyamuleju.

Also to be upgraded are Mitinda Boggy Area, Butau, Bigata Boggy Area, Kithandara Lower, Kachope Boggy Area and Kiharo in the Kilembe Trail

To be additionally constructed are Bukurungu Trail, Bujuku River Boggy and East Bukurungu.

Hikers will now enjoy 5,000 metres of climbing ladders, 16,000 metres of boardwalks, 24 Resting shelters, Helipads, six campsites, 65 bridges both short span and long span, 40 rooms of accommodation, a visitor information centre, an office building and parking space at Mihunga.

Included in the works are two bird-watching platforms, rescue, safety and climbing equipment, radio calls, satellite phones and internet service hubs communication equipment.

 “Capacity building will also be conducted for stakeholders and service providers,” said Kirome at the project handover.

Existing 

Kirome said the interventions will be in addition to the already existing developments.

These include about 3,200 meters of boardwalks and 800 meters of climbing ladders along the Kilembe and Central Circuit trails and resting shelters, accommodation at Nyabitaba while the Elena Camp is currently under construction.

New features

 “Compared to the boardwalks that we have previously constructed before on this mountain, we have increased the width from 1 metre to 1.2 metres. We have also reduced the spacing between boardwalk beams. This will improve on the safety, experience and longevity,” said the Kirome.

What others say

Bernard Masereka, the Chief Executive Officer at Muhindo John and Friends Ltd, pledged to do quality work as instructed by the Ministry.

He revealed that during project execution, they will employ about 4,000 willing and appropriately qualified workers from within Kasese district.

Kasese District Chairperson Erifazi Muhindi Bukombi lauded the government for selecting the Park to benefit from the project but cautioned the contractor against doing shoddy work.

Assurance on supervision and security

Lt. Joe Walusimbi, the district RDC assured the Ministry that he would supervise the project so that value for the government’s money is realized.

He reassured the tourism and hospitality industry that the security in Kasese district and along the Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border had been restored.

The security in the border district was ravaged starting on the night of June 16, 2023, when suspected ADF terrorists killed 43 people, 38 of them students in an attack on privately owned Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Secondary School, in Nyabugando Ward, Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council.

The school is about two kilometres from the Uganda/DRC border.

On October 14, 2023, suspected ADF terrorists also killed two occupants aboard an ambush on a truck carrying onions at Katholhu in Nyakiyumbu sub-county and killed two occupants.

Three days later on October 17, 2023, suspected ADF rebels also murdered two tourists who were reportedly on their honeymoon and their guide/driver at Katwe in the Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Unknown assailants, armed with guns, pangas and axes, killed a resident of Nkoko village, Kitswamba sub-county, and injured her nephew, Harrison Masereka, aged 14 who managed to escape.

However, on November 2, 2023, the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) said it had captured the head of a militia squad and killed some rebels who were linked to the various atrocities in Kasese district.