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The Mountain Club of Uganda is increasing community exposure to climbing. Roughly a decade ago, it had only a handful of Ugandan members. These days, 60% of new climbers are locals, and from all walks of life.
CLIMB MANAGEMENT: Albert Abayo leads a route known as “On the Eggs” at Muyenga quarry in Kampala, Uganda. He and other club members are working to increase community exposure to rock climbing.Kang-Chun Cheng
| Kampala, Uganda
With the sun’s golden rays streaming behind him, Miracle Ainamaani shouts “Rope!” – a standard practice in case any fellow climbers are below him. Then he tosses a coil from the summit of Muyenga quarry. The rope has been threaded through chains bolted at the top, creating a secure line from which he will rappel 25 meters (82 feet) down.
Muyenga is the only outdoor rock-climbing crag in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, but it is conveniently located for Mr. Ainamaani. The mobile money agent occasionally fits in a late afternoon climbing session before attending church in the evening. Mr. Ainamaani and other committed members of the Mountain Club of Uganda (MCU) climb at the quarry up to three times a week.
The MCU was established in 1945 by the geography department of Makerere University, with an initial focus on exploring nature and documenting the region’s biodiversity, including the country’s fabled gorillas. By 1953, the club had published a guidebook.
The MCU’s trajectory is upward bound. The number of members has soared from fewer than 20 in 2016 to more than 200 today. Nearly all of their gear has come from donations from foreign climbers and sports associations. Roughly a decade ago, previous club president Douglas Ssebbowa says, there were only a handful of Ugandan MCU members. These days, 60% of new climbers are locals, and from all walks of life.
Along with David Masika, the current president, and MCU members Albert Abayo and Celine Jacobs, Mr. Ssebbowa is keen on increasing community exposure to the sport. This group is working as part of a social enterprise project to construct Mwamba, Uganda’s first world-class climbing gym.
To make the sport more accessible, the gym will offer affordable pricing, communal climbing sessions, and inclusive instruction designed for individuals of all abilities.
The new gym “is not just an obligation, but my personal goal,” Mr. Ssebbowa says.
Kang-Chun ChengFEET OF STRENGTH: Ammar Yassir climbs at Muyenga quarry in Kampala, Uganda, wearing shoes donated to the Mountain Club of Uganda.
Kang-Chun ChengPEAK PERFORMER: Miracle Ainamaani sets a toprope at the quarry. The mobile money agent occasionally fits in an afternoon climbing session before evening church services.
Kang-Chun ChengUPWARDLY MOBILE: Mr. Yassir, a Sudanese photographer based in Kampala, is on his first climb at Muyenga.
Kang-Chun ChengSOLE PROVIDER: Individuals and climbing groups have donated all of the club’s gear.
Kang-Chun ChengROCK STAR: Mr. Abayo climbs along a route called “Side Pull” at the quarry.
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Page created on 11/11/2025 2:22:09 PM
Last edited 11/11/2025 2:36:39 PM
