Rwenzori Glacier Disappearing
- Tony Ofungi
- Sep 30, 2016
- 1 min read
On the 110th anniversary since the first scientific climb of snow-capped 5109-meter Mt. Rwenzori, also known as “Mountains of the Moon,” Italian Ambassador to Uganda, Domenico Fornara, tweeted on his Twitter page, a reminder to those who quickly forgot about the excitement at the centenary celebrations in 2006.
Located in Western Uganda, the Rwenzori Mountains, a UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage site, straddles the equator 996 square kilometers along the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its equatorial snow peaks include the third highest point in Africa.
The ambassador had reason to sound the reminder, as ten years ago on the occasion of the centenary, there was much more fanfare to crown the event, including a tourist exhibition at BIT Milan in February 2006 led by yours truly; a photographic exhibition of images taken by Vittorio Sella, the official photographer of the 1906 exhibition; lectures by visiting anthropologists from Italy including Professor Cecelia Pennacini from the University of Turin; and a scientific expedition dubbed “In the footsteps of the Duke” led by descendants of the Duke, scientists, a photographer, and the Alpine Brigade that conducted the first survey. The reigning king, Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, King Oyo of Toro, also graced the event since his great grandfather had received the Duke then.
Jørn Eriksson