Birunga or virunga ranges is also called Mufumbiro Mountain.
They are a system or group of volcanic mountains located in south western Uganda in kisoro/kabale district .They are made up of Mountains including Mt.Sabinyo, Mt.Gahinga and Mt.Muhavura.
MOUNT SABINYO
The of this mountain means “old man’s teeth”, the mountain was named so because it resembles an old man’s teeth. This mountain is not easy to climb compared to other types of mountains, in other words its very challenging to climb.
IMAGE SOURCE
MOUNT GAHINGA
This mountain borders Uganda and Rwanda, this mountain lies between Mount Muhavura
And Mount Sabinyo. Mount Gahinga elevates to approximately 3,474 meters. The main vegetation on this mountain is Bamboo
MOUNT MUHAVURA
This mountain has an altitude of about 4,127 metres above the sea level. This mount takes a cone shape and is tall than the other two mountains on the Ugandan side of the border. Climbing this mountain takes about 7-8 hours. When you climb this mountain you can have nice beautiful views of both Lake George and Lake Edward, and also you can have a clear view of Bwindi impenetrable forest.
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
Their formation is a result of vulcanicity and their importance can be summarized below.
-Source of river that provide water for domestic use e.g River Ntebeko from Mt.Muhavura supplying water to Nyarubesa village among others.
-Associated with minerals sure as wolfram at Nyamuliro ‘tin ‘gold’berrylium’iron ore etc.
-Wildlife conservation in Gohinga forest reserve i.e Gorilla game reserve on Mt gahinga in kisoro.
-Attract tourists due to great scenery like crater lake on Mt.Muhavura ‘Mt gorillas on Gahinga .
-Lava block and ash are used for construction purposes in the Bufumbira county.
-Small scale fishing in R. Ntebeko’Tshonga etc.
-Promote research /fieldwork trips etc.
NEGATIVE IMPORTAINCES.
-Steep slopes hinder transport in kisoro/ kabala. Occurrence of landslide and soil erosion in kabale and‘kisoro . Porous lava soil that lead to scarcity of underground water e.g the town of Mutolere and kisoro get water from a spring at Cyuho. Immature volcanic soil that don’t favour crop cultivation.
Threat of Mt. Gorillas that destroy crop at Bwanjebe and Nkanda village .Breeding ground for pest and disea
Like tsetseflies in Gahinga forest reserve .Hiding gound for rebel and thieves such as the M23 from DR CONGO .Aridity on the leeward side of Mt.Muhavura
