French Mountaineering Tourist Dies
Mountaineering is an awe-inspiring adventure activity, this is much more so for those who eventually get to scale the summit. Hiking safaris take you through different terrains and vegetation as you ascend the different altitudes of the mountain depending on its geographical location. In Uganda the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry has gazzetted four mountains for mountain climbing. Mountain Rwenzori in the western region of the country is Africa’s third highest peak and offers great opportunities for tourists. The Rwenzori mountains see an average of over 1000 tourist anually. The other mountains are Mountain Moroto in the north eastern region, Mount Moroto in the east and Mount Muhavura in the south west of Uganda.
Early this month however, a French tourist, Debrisson de Lorach Daniel Patrick a 32 year old young man died while climbing the Rwenzoris. This was just 737 meters shy of the highest peak, Margherita at Kitandara hut.
According to the Public Relations officer of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, anyone wanting to trek any of these mountains needs to show a clean bill of health before they can be allowed to hike. Debrisson’s health report showed that he was in good shape and had no signs of complications. Bonabana Xevier, the guide said Debrisson started complaining of illness at Bujuku camp near Elena hut. He was then advised to discontinue his ascent however, he insisted saying he would get better. However, when his condition deteriorated Debrisson with his porter and the guide had to begin the descent to Kitandara from where things got worse and the Uganda Wildlife Authority rescue team was called in to offer first aid and bring him down the mountains however, he died before they could bring him to hospital. His body was later retrieved from the jungles of the mountains by a team over 80 members of the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services which runs business in the central Rwenzori.
The cause of his death has not yet been ascertained. Police said that the documents found on him showed that he was a French citizen working in China. The public relations officer of the Uganda Wildlife Authority notified the French Embassy who immediately dispatched officials to Kilembe mines hospital in Kasese district where the body of Debrisson was transferred to.
What happened is regrettable, since mountains offer a lot by way of development to the local communities within the region and to the government of Uganda as well.
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