Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains Revive Local Economy

Daniel Nguru Sadaca and other local guides in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains are finding new livelihoods through mountaineering. For the Bakonzo people, these mountains bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo are sacred, once feared as the home of a god. Now, about 65 guides and 800 porters lead roughly 1,100 visitors each year through the previously isolated range.

The shift began in 2007 when Australian John Hunwick sought permission to develop mountaineering routes. Former miners and teachers, like Joshua and Gilbert Kule, joined Nguru in forging trails through dense rainforests, bamboo forests, and swampy terrain. They consulted local leaders and enlisted experienced hunters to help navigate the challenging landscape.

Despite the growing tourism, the Rwenzori Mountains face a serious threat. The guides have observed significant glacial retreat over the last twelve years, and scientists predict the remaining ice on Mount Margherita will vanish by 2030. This loss impacts both the landscape and the cultural significance of the “Mountains of the Moon.”