Mount Rwenzori, famously known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” has long stood as a breathtaking symbol of natural beauty and ecological balance in Uganda. Stretching majestically along the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, its snow-capped peaks have inspired explorers, scientists, and local communities for centuries. Yet today, the once-glittering icecaps that crowned the mountain are fast disappearing, leaving behind bare rock and flowing meltwater. The people of Kasese District, nestled at the foot of this iconic range, are witnessing one of the most visible and alarming effects of climate change in the region.
For decades, the glaciers atop Mount Rwenzori have served as vital indicators of climate stability. In the past century, they have shrunk dramatically, with studies revealing that more than 80 percent of the snow cover has vanished. The mountain, once perpetually white even in the dry season, now displays dark rocky summits for most of the year. This phenomenon is not a distant environmental concern; it is a lived reality for the people of Kasese, who depend on the mountain’s ecosystems for water, agriculture, and tourism.
Climate change has altered weather patterns across western Uganda, bringing unpredictable rainfall, intense sunshine, and rising temperatures that accelerate glacial melt. The ice on Mount Rwenzori is formed at elevations above 4,500 meters, where temperatures historically remained below freezing. However, over the past few decades, global warming has caused an upward shift in the freezing point, meaning that even high-altitude zones now experience occasional thawing. As a result, the glaciers that once gleamed under the tropical sun are retreating faster than ever before.
The reduction of snow on Mount Rwenzori has had cascading effects on local ecosystems and livelihoods. Streams and rivers that originate from glacial melt, such as the Nyamwamba and Mubuku rivers, have become less predictable. During periods of rapid melting, they overflow, leading to floods and landslides in the lower areas of Kasese District. These disasters have destroyed homes, infrastructure, and farmland, leaving thousands displaced. Conversely, during dry spells, the reduction in glacier-fed water has caused severe shortages, affecting agriculture and hydropower generation.
Communities in Kasese that rely on the mountain’s water for irrigation are now struggling to cope. Farmers who once cultivated crops such as coffee, beans, and bananas in fertile foothill soils are facing increasing drought stress and soil erosion. Without consistent water flow, agricultural productivity declines, leading to food insecurity and reduced income. The local economy, which depends heavily on agriculture and tourism, is being destabilized by these climate-induced changes.
The tourism industry, which has long thrived on the allure of the snow-capped peaks, has also been hit hard. Visitors from around the world once travelled to witness the rare sight of tropical glaciers, but now, many leave disappointed as the ice retreats year after year. Guides and porters who depend on mountain climbing expeditions for their livelihood report a steady decline in tourist numbers. With fewer visitors, hotels, restaurants, and craft businesses in Kasese suffer economic losses, compounding the vulnerability of the local population.
Climate change has also disrupted biodiversity within the Rwenzori ecosystem. The mountain’s unique combination of glaciers, alpine meadows, and montane forests hosts rare species of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. As temperatures rise, species that depend on cool, high-altitude habitats are being forced to migrate upward. Some, like the Rwenzori turaco and certain endemic lobelias, face the risk of extinction as their habitats shrink or disappear entirely. The shifting ecological zones are altering the natural balance, making it difficult for both wildlife and humans to adapt.
For the communities living around Mount Rwenzori, the reduction in snow is more than an environmental concern it is an emotional and cultural loss. The mountain holds deep spiritual significance for the Bakonzo people, who view it as a sacred home of their gods. Traditionally, the snow-capped peaks were seen as symbols of purity and divine presence. The melting of the glaciers is thus perceived as a sign of imbalance between humanity and nature. Many elders lament that the changing mountain reflects a broken relationship with the environment, urging for a return to respect for natural resources and traditional conservation practices.
Scientists have long warned that if global temperatures continue to rise, the glaciers of Mount Rwenzori could completely disappear within the next few decades. This would be a monumental loss, not only for Uganda but for the entire African continent. The mountain is one of only three in Africa that still retain permanent ice—the others being Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Mount Kenya. Losing Rwenzori’s glaciers would mean losing a crucial natural archive that stores information about past climates and weather patterns. It would also signify the vanishing of a natural wonder that has defined Uganda’s landscape and identity for generations.
Efforts are being made to address these challenges, though they remain limited in scope compared to the magnitude of the problem. Environmental organizations, both local and international, have initiated programs to promote reforestation, climate education, and sustainable land use in Kasese District. Trees play a critical role in regulating the local climate and preserving watersheds. Reforestation in degraded areas around the mountain helps maintain soil stability and water retention, mitigating floods and landslides.
The Ugandan government, through the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and other agencies, has also recognized the urgent need to integrate climate adaptation into national policies. However, implementation on the ground remains a challenge due to limited funding, weak enforcement of environmental regulations, and low public awareness. Local communities often lack the resources and technology to adapt effectively, relying instead on traditional coping mechanisms that are becoming increasingly inadequate in the face of severe climate shifts.
Non-governmental organizations like CECIC have played a pivotal role in raising awareness about climate change in Kasese. They conduct educational campaigns, support community-led conservation projects, and advocate for stronger climate policies. By empowering residents, especially youth and women, these initiatives aim to build resilience and encourage sustainable practices such as renewable energy use, waste management, and tree planting.
The battle against climate change on Mount Rwenzori is not only a local issue it is a global responsibility. The greenhouse gases causing the glaciers to melt originate from industrialized nations and unsustainable practices worldwide. Therefore, addressing the melting of Rwenzori’s ice requires concerted international action. Developed countries must honor their commitments under the Paris Agreement by reducing emissions and supporting adaptation efforts in vulnerable regions like Uganda.
The story of Rwenzori’s melting glaciers is a warning to humanity. It underscores the urgency of combating climate change before more irreplaceable natural treasures are lost. Each patch of ice that melts on the mountain represents not just rising global temperatures but the diminishing hope of maintaining ecological balance. The people of Kasese are on the frontline of this crisis, enduring its consequences daily. Their struggles remind the world that climate change is not a distant threat it is here, reshaping lives and landscapes in real time.
If immediate and coordinated actions are not taken, the snows of Rwenzori once described by ancient explorers as eternal could vanish entirely, leaving future generations with only photographs and fading memories of what was once a magnificent white crown of Africa. The people of Kasese continue to call for climate justice, resilience building, and sustainable solutions that restore the harmony between humanity and the environment. Only through global solidarity and local empowerment can the Rwenzori Mountains reclaim their frozen majesty and continue to sustain the communities that depend on them.
The melting of Mount Rwenzori’s snow is both a scientific reality and a human tragedy. It tells a story of interconnectedness between global actions and local consequences. As climate change accelerates, the mountain’s vanishing glaciers serve as a powerful symbol of what the world stands to lose if urgent steps are not taken to curb global warming. The future of Rwenzori and of Kasese District depends on the choices made today, choices that determine whether the Mountains of the Moon will remain an enduring natural wonder or become a silent monument to a warming planet.
The writer, Hellen Masika is the Field Coordinator for the Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment (CECIC). She is based in Kasese District, Uganda, and specializes in community-led climate adaptation and sustainable land use around Mount Rwenzori.
