UWA lifts suspension of hiking activities to Margherita peak

Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Wild Life Authority –UWA has lifted the suspension of hiking activities to Margherita Peak in Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

This follows a temporary suspension in May due to safety concerns after a crevasse developed in the glaciers on the peak.

On Tuesday, the UWA communications manager Bashir Hangi in a statement said, that the authority has successfully implemented safety enhancements to ensure the well-being of all hikers.  Key among these improvements is the construction of a bridge across the crevasse in the Margherita glacier.

“This bridge along with additional climbing ropes installed in collaboration with our partners in the park, will enable safe passage through the challenging sections of the trail.” read part of the statement.

Bashir said the authority is confident that these enhancements will provide a safer and more enjoyable experience for all visitors seeking to summit the peak.

“We continue to encourage visitors to explore not only Margherita Peak but also the other stunning peaks within Rwenzori Mountains National Park,” he added.

He noted that UWA will now maintain close monitoring of the hiking routes to ensure ongoing safety and will provide any needed updates.

A crevasse is a deep, wedge-shaped opening in a moving mass of ice called a glacier. Crevasses usually form in the top 50 meters (160 feet) of a glacier, where the ice is brittle.

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