Fatima Sajwani has become the first Emirati to summit the third highest and most treacherous peak in Africa, “Margherita Peak”, in the Rwenzori Range of Uganda. Standing 5,109 metres above sea levels, Fatima raised the Emirati flag on the peak for the first time on 27 May 2022.

Even though this was Fatima’s fourth climb, summiting Margherita Peak was the most challenging expedition the young Emirati climber attempted so far. Fatima started climbing four years ago, at age 27, first summiting Mont Kilimanjaro in February 2018, followed shortly after by Mt Elbrus in June 2018 and later by Mt Aconcagua in February 2020. After a 2 years hiatus due to the pandemic, Fatima set off for Uganda late last month to take on this new challenge.

The Emirati climber took the decision to attempt Margherita Peak earlier this year, fuelled by a desire to increase representation of women and Emirati athletes within the global mountaineering community. “Mountaineering is still a very male-dominated sport, and as an Emirati woman, I want to be a catalyst for other young Emiratis to discover climbing and shine light globally on Emirati athletes”, says Fatima Sajwani.

Following her successful ascent of Margherita Peak, Fatima is already training for her next climbing expedition. She will be attempting to become the first Emirati woman to summit Mont-Blanc in September of this year.