2nd year students for BGS & Arts in Arts (Geog major) Undertook Recess term & Internship Activities in Rwenzori Mountains.

At total of 30 Second year students for Bachelor of Geographical Sciences (2024/25) and Arts in Arts (Geography major) led by Dr Nseka Denis and Dr Wasswa Hannington undertook Recess term and internship activities in Rwenzori mountains focusing on Nyamwamba catchment restoration and rehabilitation. The program was conducted in collaboration with students and staff from Pennsylvania University, USA; The Rwenzori tree treckers; an NGO engaged in planting trees along the Nyamwamba catchment as well as The Mountain Innovation and Research Institute, Uganda.

The students were involved in tree planting activities along the banks of Nyamwamba catchment and in total over 1500 trees including graviera, bamboo were planted within 3 days. They have also interacted with local community leaders and members living along the river valley and collected data on the types of trees planted, the determinants, benefits, effectiveness and challenges of tree planting along the catchment. They also collected data on community perceptions, role of indigenous knowledge and practices in tree planting and catchment management. They also mapped the tree planting sites, restored sites and measurements of the biophysical characteristics of the tree planting sites. Made a comparative analysis between sites with planted trees and those without.

A number of challenges were encountered during this excursion including; difficulty in navigating the rough Rwenzori terrain, the bad weather associated with heavy rains, collapsed bridges; the roads were swept away by the flooding Nyamwamba and the team was caught in the mountains; had to use a temporally made bridge to cross the river. Also had to use the locally made evacuation routes through the mountains walking for over 7kms.

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