The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) together with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) on Friday handed over three Mountain Rwenzori hiking trails for facelift and expansion in Kasese.
19 sections under the three main circuits that is; Central Circuit trail, Kilembe trail, and Bukurungu trail are set to get boardwalks and subsequent expansion.
Officials from the Ministry including the Under Secretary Finance and administration Mr. Samuel Kakula-Khirome, the Principal Assistant Secretary Mr. Yusuf Mukhoka and the Project coordinator Mt. Rwenzori Infrastructural Development Mr. Akiza Newton Britin alongside the Kasese RDC Mr. Joe Walusimbi and the LCV chairman Mr. Eliphazi Muhindi handed over the sites to the contractor for the construction of 12.89kms of boardwalks.
“This in a bid to modernize the mountaineering product in Kasese and the whole of the Rwenzori region,” the Ministry stated.
The Central Circuit trail run by the Rwenzori Mountaineering Service is the better established among the three and most popular Rwenzori Mountain hiking route.
The Kilembe Trail which is managed by Rwenzori Trekking Services has for long been the alternative hiking route to the top of the Rwenzori Mountains. It is also known as the southern circuit trail route.
Bukurungu trail, run by the Rwenzori Ranges Hikers Association, is relatively the newest trail, established about a decade ago but offering just as much a good experience.
According to the Ministry officials, the expansion works on the Central Circuit and installation of boardwalks will elevate the level of service offered by the three trails and give hikers a worthwhile experience.
The sites are at varying altitudes from 3,000 to 4,600 metres above sea level.
Under this project, 19 sites are to be given a facelift and these include;
Central Circuit trail
- Kalyarupia Upper
- Guy Yeo Man
- Kamatwa
- Kicucu
- Omumatsindi
- Fresh Field Pass
- Bujuku after the Lake
- Bujuku after the Camp
- Omwehimbe
- John Maate Lower
- Nyamuleju
Kilembe Trail
- Mitinda Boggy Area
- Butau
- Bigata Boggy Area
- Kithandara Lower
- Kachope Boggy Area
- Kiharo
Bukurungu Trail
- Bujuku River Boggy
- East Bukurungu