Altezza Travel proudly accompanies the Uhuru Torch to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro for historic third time.

On October 19, 2024, a historic event unfolded on Mount Kilimanjaro. The Uhuru Torch, a symbol of Tanzania’s independence, was carried to the summit of Uhuru Peak. This marked only the third time since 1962 that the torch reached Africa's highest point. A specially selected team of soldiers from the Tanzania People's Defence Force undertook the climb, embodying national pride and unity.

The Uhuru Torch is more than a ceremonial flame – it embodies the heart and soul of Tanzania's national identity, symbolizing freedom, hope, and unity. First envisioned by Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s founding father, the Uhuru Torch was created to inspire not just the nation but the entire continent. Unlike the Olympic Flame, which celebrates global sportsmanship, the Uhuru Torch is even more revered and its significance within Tanzania can hardly be overestimated. Each year, during the Uhuru Torch Race, the torch travels across the country, with a delegation visiting and inaugurating hundreds of key development projects such as schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, highlighting its vital role in Tanzania’s journey toward a brighter future.

Altezza Travel was honored to support this significant expedition. Our team was trusted to accompany the government delegation carrying the Uhuru Torch, ensuring their safety and providing professional guidance throughout the journey to the Roof of Africa.

On October 15, 2024, the Uhuru Torch, after a six-month journey across Tanzania, arrived at Marangu Gate to begin its ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak. The Minister of Tourism, Dr Pindi Chana, along with regional commissioners and a large gathering of local communities, assembled at the gate early in the morning to witness this rare event. Following the ceremony, the expedition began.

The climb was especially meaningful because it coincided with several significant anniversaries in Tanzania's history. It commemorated 60 years of the Union between Tanzania and Zanzibar and 60 years since the Zanzibar Revolution. The climb commenced shortly after Julius Nyerere Day on October 14, honoring the Father of the Nation and marking 25 years since his passing.

The significance of the Uhuru Torch

The Uhuru Torch, personally bestowed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, is more than just a flame. It represents freedom, unity, and the enduring spirit of the Tanzanian people.

This ascent is a highlight of the Uhuru Torch's nationwide journey that lasted 195 days this year, during which the delegation inspected and inaugurated over 1,500 development projects, including hospitals, colleges, and other key infrastructure.

Speaking during his farewell address to the soldiers, Ridhiwani Kikwete, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office responsible for Labour, Youth, Employment, and Persons with Disabilities, emphasized that Tanzania is raising the Freedom Torch atop Mount Kilimanjaro to highlight the impact of climate change and promote the benefits of environmental conservation.

Earlier, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Hon. Dr. Pindi Chana, stated that this year’s symbolic act of raising the Freedom Torch on Mount Kilimanjaro will inspire patriotism among citizens as the nation celebrates 60 years of independence and national progress.

Uhuru Torch on Kilimanjaro

The torch has been carried to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro only twice before:

• In 1962Many websites today claim that the event took place in 1961, on the day of Tanganyika’s independence. While it is true that an expedition was planned for that year, bad weather and heavy snowstorms made it impossible to complete the climb. The attempt was repeated exactly one year later, on the first anniversary of Tanganyika’s independence, and this time it succeeded. It was during this successful climb that the iconic photo of Alexander Nyirenda was taken. Source: Mount-Kilimanjaro-Wiki, a year after Tanzania’s (then called Tanganyika) independence, Brigadier Alexander Nyirenda first lit the torch at the summit as a beacon of hope and freedom.
• In 2011, commemorating 50 years of independence, the torch once again reached the Roof of Africa.

Raising the Uhuru Torch on Kilimanjaro is a rare event, reserved for jubilee occasions and personally approved by the President of Tanzania. To further understand its significance for this East African nation, let’s look back at the early history of the Uhuru Torch.

History of the Uhuru Torch

The concept of the Uhuru Torch was envisioned by Julius Nyerere, the founding father and first president of Tanzania. As Tanganyika neared its independence from British colonial rule in 1961, Nyerere sought a unifying symbol that would embody the nation's aspirations for freedom, enlightenment, and unity.

To manifest this vision, the torch was carried to the “Roof of Africa”—the highest mountain in Tanzania and all of Africa, Kilimanjaro. It was first lit on December 9, 1962, the date Tanganyika gained its independence. Brigadier Alexander Nyirenda, a Tanzanian soldier, was tasked with carrying the torch to Africa's highest peak. 

Brigadier Alexander Nyirenda and the Uhuru Torch

Brigadier Alexander Nyirenda was a Tanzanian soldier and an officer in the Tanganyika Rifles. He became a national symbol for his role in the first Uhuru Torch expedition that marked Tanganyika's independence from British colonial rule.

On December 9, 1962, Nyirenda climbed Mount Kilimanjaro carrying the Uhuru Torch and the new national flag. Reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, he planted the torch and hoisted the flag, symbolizing the nation's newfound freedom and unity. This act embodied President Julius Nyerere's vision of spreading light and hope throughout the country and the continent.

With that act, the highest point of Kilimanjaro, previously named Kaiser Wilhelm Peak after the German emperor, was renamed Uhuru Peak - the Peak of Freedom, symbolizing Tanzania’s independence from the colonial rule.

The role of Altezza Travel in the 2024 Uhuru Torch climb

Now, in 2024, it is a great honor for us at Altezza Travel to be part of this third historic journey of the Uhuru Torch to Mount Kilimanjaro. As the industry leader, we strive to set the example by operating professional climbing Kilimanjaro expeditions to the highest standard, ensuring the safety and success of every journey while supporting local communities, conservation initiatives, and running a responsible business.

We were proud to accompany the government's delegation safely to the summit of Kilimanjaro, celebrating the unity and progress of Tanzania.

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