Alternative perspective:
an essay by Sabila George Paul
 

Project Elgon ‘96 started on 7th July 1996, and ended on 5th September. The students who participated in this project came from Scotland, and after spending two weeks on Mount Elgon, they were joined by students from Makerere University, Uganda. After much hard work and co-operation, these students came out with successful results. They had four projects, including a small mammal project, a human and social geography project, a bird project and a study of plant community composition.

The journey to the summit took five days, climbing to the top of Mount Elgon and back to our camp at Piswa Hut. This tour was really very interesting. We viewed very interesting landscape structures, rock formations and the peaks of Mount Elgon, including Waggagai and Jackson’s summit. We also viewed the caldera and its reaches, Suame Gorge, and the Hot Springs, which continually steam. We also saw many wild animals, including Antelopes, Duikers, Black and White Colobus and Blue Monkeys. We also saw interesting plants, for example the Giant Senacio and everlasting flowers (Helechrysum spp.). We experienced snow and hail when we reached the summit of Waggagai peak.

There are a few improvements which could be made by the National Park. Shelters and latrines need to be constructed at Hunter’s Cave and Muketano Caves, so that tourists can have a more comforTable stay when viewing the different features in the area. The worst problem I observed was insecurity, especially near the Hot Springs, where we met hostile armed poachers. They had killed six buffaloes, one who had been pregnant, and they ordered us not to go near them. This is unfair and dangerous for tourists. However, the Uganda National Parks Rangers were preparing to launch an offensive against the group of poachers as we were leaving the mountain, and they seemed optimistic about catching them.
 

I participated in three of the projects. At first I worked in the bird project, recording measurements, setting up nets and surveying new sites for trapping. I also helped the plant project, measuring and marking the plots and cutting through thick forest where necessary. I also assisted in collecting and weighing soil samples.

I spent most of my time in the small mammal project, and I was very interested in the work. I was involved in recording data, cutting, measuring and marking out quadrants and transects. I also helped to lay out traps in the grid. I learnt a lot from this project as far as small mammal processing is concerned, especially measurements, identifying species, and taking descriptions of them. I also learnt how to take rainfall and temperature readings, and learnt information about which species move about at which times. The only disadvantage I experienced with this project was the intensive, hard work of processing mammals, especially when very many mammals were caught. However with the experience I now have, I can even do the mammal processing alone with a person recording.

The project taught me a number of other skills. I learnt how to administer first aid, how to pitch a tent, and how to prepare a number of different food dishes. I learnt to take photographs using a number of different cameras. I found out that patience and tolerance was necessary for me to continue working. I was working with new and different people who I had never stayed with before, and there was a significant environmental change from a warmer to a cooler area. Anyone wishing to continue this work must bear with the above conditions and be prepared to forgo leisure and the company of usual friends and relatives. I also learnt how to live in a community of different people, in terms of culture, eating and social way of life. I made very many friendships amongst the team and the local people, from whom I have also gained a new respect.

Before I conclude, I would like to thank National Parks who allowed these students to come and conduct their research on Mount Elgon. I say this because the local people gained a lot from the project. In the short term, porters gained employment and shop keepers brought in more money. In the long term, if National Parks act on the results of this study, the conservation of forests and animals will benefit present and future generations. The study also raised awareness of conservation and social issues in the local population. I would like to send my congratulations and thanks to Aberdeen University and I hope that more expeditions of this kind will come to study on Mount Elgon in the future.
 
 

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