By Mulengera Reporters
In the heart of Africa, the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, often referred to as the “Mountains of the Moon,” stand as a testament to nature’s magnificence. However, these iconic peaks are witnessing a rapid transformation, with their ancient glaciers melting at an alarming rate.
At the 8th Uganda Water and Environment Week 2025 (UWEWK 2025), environmental expert Dr. Brian Guma delivered a stark warning. “In the next decade or two, we shall have no glaciers in the Rwenzori Mountains or anywhere in Africa. The last three glaciated mountains, like Mount Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Rwenzori Mountains will lose their glaciers.”
This projection underscores the pressing reality of climate change and its profound impact on Africa’s natural heritage. Glaciation, the process by which snow compacts into ice, typically unfolds over a century. However, global warming has accelerated the melting of these ice masses. Since 1906, more than 80% of the Rwenzoris’ ice has vanished, and UNESCO reports that a third of the 50 World Heritage sites containing glaciers, including the Rwenzoris, will disappear by 2050, regardless of actions taken to slow global warming.
The disappearance of these glaciers threatens local economies and cultural identities. The Rwenzori Mountains provide employment to over 1,000 individuals, including guides who assist tourists in trekking and summiting the peaks annually. The loss of glaciers could diminish the region’s appeal to adventure tourists, thereby affecting livelihoods dependent on this industry.
Beyond economic implications, the melting glaciers disrupt vital hydrological cycles, leading to increased vulnerability to extreme weather events such as floods and landslides.
Communities residing at the base of these mountains have already experienced devastating floods attributed to glacial melt and erratic rainfall patterns. For instance, in the Semuliki plains at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains, some floods have been so violent that rivers have changed course, destroying homes and infrastructure.
Dr. Guma emphasized the importance of glacial preservation, not only for sustaining critical ecosystems but also for protecting cultural heritage and maintaining biodiversity. He called for immediate and concerted efforts to safeguard these glaciers and advocated for the protection of the world’s remaining ice masses.
The situation of the Rwenzori glaciers is emblematic of broader environmental challenges. According to a UNESCO report, glaciers worldwide are melting at an unprecedented rate, losing the most ice recorded in recent years.
Since 1975, 9,000 gigatons of ice have been lost, equivalent to an ice block the size of Germany with a thickness of 25 meters. This accelerated melting impacts regions globally, exacerbating economic, environmental, and social issues as sea levels rise and water sources dwindle.
Dr. Guma’s insights at UWEWK 2025 serve as a critical reminder of the pressing need for global action to combat climate change and preserve our planet’s remaining glaciers. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
