Edmond Tamale is a multi-award-winning filmmaker and founder of Edcom Filmz Limited based in Kampala. He has produced social, travel and entertaining stories for about 10 years. The endless visual storytelling opportunities in so many tourist attractions keep him alive as well as the unique cultures surrounded by many attractions.
How would you describe your adventure excursion up to the Margherita peak?
My journey to the summit of Margherita peak is just one breath-taking beauty but at the same time unpredictable due to the changing weather every minute of a step and this is because I have taken this journey twice in a period of two years.
With whom did you climb the Rwenzori Mountains?
The very first time trekking the Rwenzori Mountains was in December 2020 while documenting the CEO of Uganda Tourism Board and Golola Moses attempting to summit the highest point in Uganda.
The journey was successful and challenging
since this was the first time for the film crew and participants. Two years later, I was again selected to be part of the team documenting His Majesty King Oyo of Tooro Kingdom as he attempted to summit Margherita Peak.
On this journey, we teamed up with a Spanish director and my film crew mate Antony Kahaya to create a film about King Oyo’s calling for climate action as supported by UNDP Uganda. The film was released in December 2023 and titled RWENZORI: THE SOURCE OF LIFE.
How did this trip come about?
The first time a film friend of mine recommended me to the organizing company of the trip as a drone pilot and I was selected to be part of the team with Uganda Tourism Board.
What are your freshest memories of climbing the Margherita peak?
One of the memories of Margherita peak is the seventeen-hour journey from the last camp to the summit. This journey starts at 11 pm or midnight where everyone gets on ropes and other gear to trek through the night and by 7 am, you are literally above the clouds overlooking the Hima in Kasese. It never goes out of my mind.
It is the second time you’re climbing to the Margherita peak, how different is this edition from the first one?
Yes, it is the second time I am climbing to Margherita, however, the first time it took us six days to summit and this second time took us seven days due to a snowstorm that hit us while resting at the last camp. We almost stopped at the camp. The weather conditions were completely different from the first time, this time with a lot of mist making it difficult to navigate.
What does it feel like climbing the Rwenzori with His Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, King of Tooro Kingdom?
Climbing the Rwenzori Mountains with King Oyo is a life time achievement and you know what for the very first time I bought a portable camera, a GOPRO so that I could film my own journey experience rather than being behind the camera and now I have my own documentary out of this titled THE ROYAL SUMMIT.
How did you end up climbing the Rwenzori Mountains with King Oyo?
The chance to document His Majesty King Oyo came up after receiving a phone call from UNDP Uganda asking if I could take on the same journey back to Margherita which I accepted and the rest is history.
How did you prepare for this adventure?
Preparing for this adventure depends on how you feel mentally. The first time to be selected on the team, we were taken for a short kind of military training and until now I regret as to why we did that training. Trekking the Rwenzoris just requires mental stability because it’s just a journey of walking steps at your own pace.
The only difficulty is making it out of the first camp which is about 2500m above sea level. This camp tests your breathing complications and if you make it to the next morning, you are good to continue. You test the altitude sickness at this point.
How long did it take for you to climb to the Margherita peak the first time, and then the second time?
Climbing to Margherita peak depends on the trail taken. The two times I have summited, we have taken the Kilembe Trail which according to the organizers is the most adventurous.
The first time it took us six days to summit and the second time it took us seven days due to a snowstorm on one of the days or night then getting back to base camp takes three days or four.
Take us through the highlights of the mountaineering adventure…
Day 1 takes us through a typical rainforest until the first sleeping camp at 2500m (asl), Day 2 takes us through the bamboo section and then the Heather trees along some adventurous waterfalls to a night at Mutinda camp.
Day 3 gets us out of the green adventure into bare rocks surrounded by mountainous swamps and giant lobelias, this day is one-of-a-kind world about this journey until Bugata camp at 4300m (asl) with some amazing glacial lakes.
Day 4 sets us into Kachope Valley through the Bamwanjara path, one of the longest and toughest journeys until Hunwick’s camp. Day 5 takes us through the slippery rocks towards the last camp that’s Margherita Camp. From the last camp, we take a rest of about 2 hours and wake up at 11 pm to start the seventeen-hour journey to the summit and back to the last camp. Descending back to base camp takes three days through a different route after Bugata camp.
What did you find most satisfying about the journey?
One satisfying moment about the journey knowing where this amount of water and rocks flooding within Kasese town comes from. Several rivers flow from this mountain at a high speed, causing a lot of damage, hence the huge rocks in Kasese.
What did you find most challenging about the journey?
The most challenging bit about this journey is hiking on the ropes at night. Terrible moment but very rewarding when you make it to the summit.
How has your work led you into tourism and travel?
I never imagined telling stories about travel until I began documenting stories from upcountry areas not specifically about tourism. The one day I was hired to film a tourism contest event for a Tourism Ambassador, since then I have been able to film in every national park across Uganda, some parts of Kenya and South Sudan.
To what tourist attractions has your work led you?
My stories have led me into all national parks in Uganda, traversed areas of Karamoja, Turkana, Toposa in South Sudan among others attractions.
What attractions have left lasting impressions on you, and why?
The views on top of Margherita peak have left a lasting impression on me. While there you are able to see some towns in D.R Congo, and the different peaks surrounding margherita. It is memorable.
What aspects bring you alive while you work in such tourist attractions?
The endless visual storytelling opportunities in so many tourist attractions keep me alive as well as the unique cultures surrounded by many attractions. The dynamic environment of many tourist attractions encourages people to try new techniques of storytelling.
From your travels, how would you summarise Destination Uganda?
Destination Uganda is a true wilderness.
Which places are on your travel list, and why?
On my list is an East African road trip because I believe I will be able to explore new attractions and tell amazing stories.
What gear do you use, and what more would you like to add to your collection?
While telling my stories, I am a Sony camera user (Sony a7 series). I carry my Dji Mavic pro drone, GoPro hero 9, Zoom sound recorder and wireless mic, and electronic gimbal, which are very important for my creativity. And in future I would add an FPV drone.
