River Mpanga
Located in western Uganda, River Mpanga is one of Uganda’s freshwater bodies and a source of water for the different communities that live near the river banks. River Mpanga lies along the Equator and originates from the Rwenzori Mountains in the Nile Basin. The source of River Mpanga is in the Rwenzori Mountains. The river has, over the years, been an attraction for tourists, scientists, and researchers.
Sections of River Mpanga have faced pollution, especially due to urbanization and high population density in areas like Fort Portal City where the river flows through. Campaigns like the “Save River Mpanga” campaign have, in recent years, been set up with the main goal of conserving and protecting River Mpanga as well as advocating for environmental conservation. The campaigns help greatly in educating the communities about environmental conservation and creating awareness on why ecosystems should be protected for the greater good of the current generation and the generations to come.
River Mpanga flows over a distance of about 200 kilometres, with an altitude ranging from 2124m in the Rwenzori Mountains to 914m at Lake George (the river empties into Lake George). The river flows through three districts in Uganda that is Kabarole, Kamwenge and Kyenjojo districts. River Mpanga starts its journey from the mountains flowing through Fort Portal city, rural areas and Kibale Forest. Kibale Forest is the home to chimpanzees in Uganda and is an evergreen moist rainforest so River Mpanga greatly contributes to its existence and conservation.
A photo of River Mpanga taken from Fort Portal City
River Mpanga also flows into Lake George over Mpanga falls ,which borders with Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park has a rich ecosystem. The lake margins of the national park have fringes of vegetation along the Kazinga channel and along the shores of Lake Edward in Katwe Bay. The park also has vegetation types that consist of thicket clamps with herbaceous climbers, lush forest jungles, acacia woodland and scrub that is found around the crater lakes and below the Kichwamba escarpment. River Mpanga, therefore, is a great contributor to Uganda’s ecosystem. It’s no wonder that conservationists, leaders, and climate change organizations are pushing for the conservation of the river.
The River Mpanga location is in the midst of Fort Portal city makes it to visit and is usually one of the stop overs that we make while on a 1 Day tour of Fort Portal. This can be an opportunity to see and learn more on the river including the need for its conservation. River Mpanga is an important water body in Uganda and we hope that the conservation efforts to protect the river will yield great results in the future.
A photo of River Mpanga and its surrounding lush vegetation
