Tourism minister commends Ajarova for promoting Uganda's treasures

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The Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Col. (Rtd) Tom Butime, has commended the outgoing chief executive officer of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Lilly Ajarova, for her commitment to promoting Uganda's treasures. 

Butime was launching Ajarova's book titled Echoes from Mountains of the Moon, which details her hiking expedition on the Rwenzori Mountains with a call for conservation and tourism.

Outgoing chief executive officer of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Lilly Ajarova and the Minister of Tourism, Tom Butime, pose for pictures with copies of the book. (Courtesy photo)

"In a profession where she has tirelessly championed Uganda's breathtaking destinations to the world, Lilly Ajarova has demonstrated remarkable leadership by embarking on this thrilling and life-altering expedition," the minister stated during the book launch at Sheraton Hotel on February 28, 2025. The minister acknowledged that climbing and summiting the Rwenzoris' highest peak, lying 5,109 metres above sea level, demands courage, physical stamina, and an unyielding determination.

"Her resolve to take on this challenge exemplifies what it means to lead by example, inspiring others to experience the unmatched beauty and transformative power of Uganda's natural wonders," Butime further remarked.

Whereas she hiked the Rwenzori Mountains in December 2020, Ajarova wrote her memoir, which was launched this year as a roadmap for anyone passionate about environmental stewardship and cultural heritage. The event was attended mostly by tourism and conservation stakeholders.

Outgoing chief executive officer of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Lilly Ajarova addressing the audience during her book launch at Sheraton Hotel. (Courtesy photo)

"Through this book, I share the beauty and significance of these mountains, the richness of Uganda's natural heritage, and the determination of those who protect and preserve them," Ajarova expressed. She added: "Much as it is a tale of adventure, the book is also a tribute to nature conservation—highlighting the urgency to protect these vital landscapes for future generations."

In some of the book reviews, Jane Goodall writes, "Ajarova highlights the urgent need to protect this awe-inspiring scenery and preserve the culture of the mountain people for generations to come. This is a very inspiring story that demonstrates the resilience of a woman with the heart of a lion."

Andrew Roberts, a seasoned traveller, author, and conservationist, said all the preceding stories about Rwenzori expeditions since the 1880s have been written by men. "Lilly's memoir is, to the best of my knowledge, the first published offering from a female. To the shelves of books penned by (white) males, we can add a fresh and wide-ranging account by a Ugandan woman facing her greatest challenge," noted Roberts.

Buckled up for the final climb to the highest peak of Mount Stanley, the Margherita. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)

In her memoir, Ajarova chronicles an interactive moment with one of the elderly locals staying at the base of the Rwenzoris. "Long ago, when our ancestors still followed the norms, women were not allowed to ascend the mountains in their unclean days. But now, they come and go unchecked, the outcome of their misconduct leaving catastrophes to be felt by us, the natives," Ajarova quotes the elderly local, ascribing the flooding, among other natural disasters around the Rwenzoris, to spiritual powers.

"The glaciers have begun to retreat because the gods are angry. Human hands have touched what should remain untouched. Long ago, the people of this land knew how to live in harmony with the spirits of the mountains. But now you build, you climb, you mine, and disturb the sacred places," the native is further quoted. The book brings out both the cultural and scientific aspects of preserving and conserving the Mountains of the Moon and all the life therein.

Ajarova's name written on water

At Kiharu Camp, over 2,987 metres above sea level, a waterfall was named after Lilly Ajarova. The sound of rushing water that cascades and tumbles over moss-covered rocks continues to shimmer with Ajarova's name, providing life to all organisms lying beneath. "Standing before the falls, I was flooded with gratitude. This expedition was not just about climbing a mountain. It was about becoming part of something larger, a legacy of exploration and perseverance," she expressed.

Rwenzori tales by King Oyo

Two years after Ajarova had descended the tallest mountain in Uganda, Rukirabasaija Omukama Oyo Kabamba Iguru, the King of Toro, followed suit, conquering the Margherita Peak in August 2022. The king's hiking expedition, which started on July 28, 2022, aimed at providing an opportunity to emphasise the importance of environmental conservation, climate action, and inclusive growth as a core to Uganda's sustainable development journey.

King of Toro Oyo Kabamba Iguru being leddown the base of mountain Rwenzori after his ten days hiking expedition in 2022 by Lilly Ajarova the UTB outgoing chief executive officer. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)

King Oyo's historic expedition was organised by UTB in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Toro Kingdom. Upon taking on the mystical challenge of summiting the highest point of the Rwenzori Mountains on August 3, 2022, King Oyo echoed the fact that the Rwenzori Mountains are a source of life.

"Walking through ecosystems seemingly from another world where you can lose yourself among wildflowers of indescribable beauty, shrouded by the mist of the Mountains of the Moon. Clouds that never stop dancing over sleeping giants mired in an eternal rest that only can be broken by those who are brave enough. It is a place where the purity of the air drives you to keep climbing," the king describes in his oratory.

King Oyo, among several other leaders in the Rwenzori region, continues to advocate for responsible tourism. "Tourism not only brings economic prosperity but also plays a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of preserving our natural heritage. I believe that through responsible tourism, we can inspire visitors to become active participants in conservation efforts and sustainable practices," King Oyo remarked upon descending the highest pinnacle of Uganda.

About the Rwenzoris

The majestic Rwenzori Mountains in Western Uganda are a UNESCO World Heritage site protected in a 995-square-kilometre national park that runs along the Congolese border. First gazetted as a forest reserve in 1941, the landscapes, flora, and fauna therein were later gazetted as a national park in 1991, lying between an altitude of 1,600–5,109 metres above sea level.

Ajarova (right) autographing her book for Simplicious Gessa (left) the UTB public relations manager as John Hunwick the proprietor of Rwenzori Trekking Services looks on. (Courtesy photo)

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park is part of the Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area landscape, bordering Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and spanning the districts of Kasese, Bunyangabu, Kabarole, Ntoroko, and Bundibugyo. Uganda's most alluring hiking destination, the Rwenzori Mountains remain a source of many streams that feed into major water bodies and are remarkably the major contributing source of water for the world's longest river—the Nile.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is 120km long and 65km wide. It hosts 70 mammals and 217 bird species. They were named the "Mountains of the Moon" by the Alexandrian geographer Ptolemy in AD 150 before the explorer Henry Stanley placed the Rwenzoris on the world map on May 24, 1888.