WeeklySA_AdminRESILIENCE: Conservationist pens book about the beauty and challenges of scaling Africa’s third highest peak at 5 109 metres…
By Elisha Z Bwanika
In 2020, Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) chief executive Lilly Ajarova led a team of hikers to the Margherita Peak, the highest point of Mount Rwenzori, also known as “the Mountains of the Moon”.
The seven-day fact finding hike was not the first that Ajarova had undertaken. Nor was it the last.
During the course of her six years at the helm of UTB, Ajarova’s love for the Mountains of the Moon would see her visit it severally prior to her historic climb, whose highlight included a waterfall being named in her honour.
Now in a bid to inspire a renewed sense of responsibility for Uganda’s natural treasures, Ajarova last month launched her book, Echoes from Mountains of the Moon: ‘A story of Resilience, Adventure & Purpose.
“This memoir serves as a testament to the beauty, cultural heritage, and ecological importance of the Rwenzori Mountains – one of the most iconic landmarks in Uganda and a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” the renowned tourism product developer, said. The book takes readers on an intimate journey through the peaks and valleys of the Rwenzoris, illuminating the challenges facing this fragile ecosystem.
As Dr. Ajarova, who takes on a new role as Senior Presidential Advisor on Tourism, recounts her personal trek to the majestic Margherita Peak, 5 109 metres above sea level and brings attention to critical themes of conservation, cultural preservation, and the urgent need to protect this unique alpine environment from the effects of climate change and human activity.
The Rwenzori Mountains are home to an array of endemic flora and fauna, many of which are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Rwenzori Mountains, often called the “Mountains of the Moon,” rise majestically in western Uganda along the Uganda-DR Congo border. This 120km-long and 65 km-wide mountain range is home to some of the most breathtaking and diverse landscapes in Africa, from equatorial snow-capped peaks to lush montane forests and moorlands.
The highest point of the Rwenzori Mountains is Margherita Peak (5,109m) on Mount Stanley, making it Africa’s third-highest peak. Unlike East Africa’s volcanic giants such as Kilimanjaro and Mount Elgon, the Rwenzoris were formed by tectonic activity, with massive rock blocks thrust upward from the Western Rift Valley floor.
From the elusive three-horned chameleons to the giant lobelias, the memoir highlights the delicate balance that sustains life in this region.
Through her vivid storytelling, Ajarova underscores the need for collaborative efforts in conservation, including the role of local communities, the Uganda Wildlife Authority and partners such as the United Nations Development Programme.
“Mountains of the Moon is a tribute to the people whose lives are intertwined with this extraordinary landscape,” she says.
The memoir is both a personal account and a rallying cry for sustainable tourism, urging adventurers, policymakers, and stakeholders to invest in the long-term protection of this vital ecosystem.
“Whether you are a seasoned mountaineer or a lover of nature and history, this book offers a unique lens into the Rwenzoris’ unparalleled beauty and significance,” she says.
Ajarova recently introduced her book via a teleconference link from Uganda before a coterie of journalists attending a launch at Sandton’s boutique Sky Hotel in Johannesburg.
She described her remarkable feat as a life-changing experience which had left with a gift of illuminating reflections about the symbiotic relationship between nature and human life.
The e’book is now available on Amazon while the hard copy can be purchased through her website. – Watchdog of Uganda. Additional reporting by Len Maseko
