Mount Morungole

A(i)Site contains one or more globally threatened species, A(iv)Site contains one or more range restricted endemic species that are potentially threatened, B(ii)Site contains an exceptional number of species of high conservation importance

Morungole CFR qualifies as an IPA under criterion A(i) triggered by the presence of the Endangered Aloe lukeana for which this is the most important site globally, and the Vulnerable Aloe tweedieae. It also qualifies under criterion A(iv) due to the presence of a population of the range-restricted Aloe canarina, which is currently assessed as Data Deficient but is likely to be threatened. Lastly, it is one of Uganda's top 13 richest sites for endemic plant species, triggering criterion B(ii).

Morungole Central Forest Reserve (CFR) is located in between Karenga and Kaabong districts, north-eastern Uganda. The reserve lies approximately 35 km north of Kaabong town and forms part of the south-east boundary of Kidepo National Park (Davenport & Howard 1996). The mountain top is home to a minority indigenous community of the “Ik” people who have a unique culture different from that of the neighbouring Dodoth Karamojong.

Whilst the flora in Morungole CFR is not especially diverse, it is characterised by a reasonable number of rare and/or restricted-range species of which some are of conservation importance. A total of 185 tree and shrub species were recorded in this reserve (Lwanga 1996). The botanical significance of this IPA is likely to increase with additional surveys of other plant lifeforms. Nonetheless, it is the principal site globally and type locality for the Endangered Aloe lukeana; a montane species occurring at 2300-2750 m in elevation on grassland with many herbs on rocky slopes, which is abundant on the upper reaches of Mt Morungole (Cole 2015; Cole & Forrest 2017; Richards et al. 2022). This taxon has otherwise also been recorded on the South Sudan side of the Imatong Mountains. So far, there is no documented evidence on the use of this species for medicinal purposes (Anywar et al. 2022).

Popluations of two further rare Aloe, A. tweedieae (VU) and A. canarina (DD), have recently been discovered on the foothills of Mt Morungole in the extreme southeast of the CFR (Cole 2015; T. Cole, pers. comm. 2023). Aloe tweedieae was noted to be common on rock outcrops and open grassland on the road north of Kaabong whilst A. canarina was noted to be occasional. This latter species is highly range-restricted and uncommon and is facing increased threats from tree cutting for firewood and increased frequency of burning to clear dried grass within its Ugandan range (Cole & Forrest 2017), hence the species is likely to be reassessed as globally threatened in the future. Plumptre et al. (2018) designated Morungole as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) on the basis of Aloe wrefordii, which has recently been reassessed as Endangered (Richards et al. in press) but this record is believed to be erroneous. This IPA contains Dry Afromontane Forest which is a Vulnerable (and highly range-restricted) habitat in Uganda but it does not trigger IPA status as the area of forest is not large enough (only c. 5 km2, which is 2% of national resource and outside the top five).

The vegetation in this IPA may be broadly classified as dry Combretum savannah with Juniperus-Podocarpus dry montane forest at higher elevations, and a high altitude forest/savannah mosaic. Areas adjacent to the peak of Mt Morungole are marked by Juniperus procera, low growing Protea gaguedi, and shrubs, ferns and grass species amongst exposed rock. Thomas (1943) cited by Cole (2015) described the area as "shrubby moorland grading into shrubby grassland at the summit. The Juniperus forest is very luxuriant high on the mountain, with copious mosses and lichen (Usnea longissima) and Cole (2015) noted that in some protected spots, Aloe lukeana and the succulent herb Aeonium leucoblepharum grow amidst orchids, mosses, lichen and other epiphytes high up into the branches of the juniper trees.

Mt. Morungole’s origin dates to the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras associated with volcanic eruptions. Thus, it is an extinct volcano (Cheriberi & Yee 2022). Whilst stoney litho soils occur along the up-warped surface of Mt. Morungole, the other soil types include ferralytic, vertigos and ferruginous tropical soils. Ferralitic soils are in more advanced stages, their productivity depending on favorable rainfall, and adequate depth (UNDP 2014).

The area has a dry savanna semi-arid climate characterized by an intense hot, dry season lasting from November to March each year, with whirlwinds and dust storms. The rainy season is usually from April to August with an annual rainfall of 500–800 mm, with rains erratically distributed. The daily temperatures range from 20°C to 32°C degrees; relative humidity can reach 60% between June and July (UNDP 2014).

Mount Morungole was designated as CFR in 1948. Some of the northern parts of the Reserve also fall within the boundary of Kidepo National Park. Mt Morongole has been encroached to some extent up to the peak (Rugadya et al. 2010) by the Ik communities who live at various altitudes on the mountain, in settlements referred to as “manyatta” and have associated areas of cultivation of crops such as cassava in the fertile montane valleys (Cole 2015; Richards et al. 2022). There are indiscriminate and uncontrolled seasonal fires on Mt. Morungole but the Aloe lukeana plants are not killed and regeneration after fire is evident from numerous seedlings observed (Cole 2015).

The Ik community living on Mt. Morungole obtain many products from this IPA. These include firewood, construction materials, edible plants, medicinal plants, craft materials among others. Morungole CFR, together with the Nyangea-Napore and Zulia hill ranges, is the source of most rivers in Karamoja region such as the Nalakas and Kidepo rivers (MTWA & UWA 2012). Mount Morungole provides scenic views of the surrounding areas as far as neighbouring Kenya and Sudan, thus offers a great opportunity for the local community to engage in tourism activities as guides and porters. It is also an ideal site for mountain hiking experience (MWTA & UWA 2012).

Assessed by:

Samuel Ojelel, Makerere University Herbarium

James Kalema, Makerere University Herbarium

Iain Darbyshire, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Sophie Richards, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Date of first assessment: 16th Aug 2024

Reviewed by:

Charles Tumwesigye, Uganda Wildlife Authority