East Africa’s iconic snow peaks will soon disappear for good – what will be lost when they melt

What the report says

The Independent Uganda reports that East Africa’s mountain glaciers are rapidly shrinking and may soon disappear from peaks in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The article cites the 2025 State of the Climate in Africa report, which says the ice on Mount Kenya has declined dramatically over the past 115 years and could vanish within a few years. The piece also discusses glaciers on Kilimanjaro and the Rwenzori range, noting that the current retreat is outside the region’s historical pattern of natural ups and downs.

The report frames the loss as primarily a climate issue rather than a major water-supply crisis. It says these tropical glaciers are too small to act as meaningful water towers, because much of the ice is lost through sublimation and because their total stored water is limited. Instead, the article argues that forests are the region’s more important water sources, while the glaciers mainly serve as climate records that help scientists study long-term atmospheric conditions.

The article says the retreat is linked to reduced snowfall on the mountains, which researchers connect to changing Indian Ocean sea-surface temperatures and broader warming trends. It also warns of ecological effects, including the loss of high-altitude habitats and shifts in mountain ecosystems. Beyond science and ecology, the piece says the disappearance of these snow caps could affect tourism and erase culturally and spiritually significant landmarks in East Africa.