Ugandan photographer Peter Kuloba has emerged the overall winner of the 2026 Safal Eye in the Wild Photography Competition, beating tens of visual storytellers from across Africa.
Kuloba was announced the winner after his striking photograph titled "Disappearing Snowcaps of the Rwenzori Mountains" earned him the coveted Gold Award and a cash prize of US$3,000.
The winning image captures a mountain guide gazing with concern at the rapidly melting glacier on Mount Stanley, home to Margherita Peak—the highest point of the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the "Mountains of the Moon," which straddle the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The photograph highlights the growing impact of climate change on one of Africa's most iconic mountain ranges.
Organised by the Safal Group, the Safal Eye in the Wild Photography Competition has grown into a flagship regional platform that uses photography to promote environmental conservation and education across East and Southern Africa.
The competition brings together professional, amateur and young photographers to produce compelling visual stories that highlight the relationship between nature, communities and sustainable development.
In Uganda, the competition is organised by Uganda Baati Limited, a member of the Safal Group, through its corporate social responsibility arm, the Safal Uganda Baati Foundation.
Speaking during the award ceremony in Nairobi, Kuloba expressed gratitude to the organisers and reflected on his journey to the top.
"My big thanks go to the organisers, SAFAL, and everyone who has come here and is passionate about photography. I'm overwhelmed. This has been my third time submitting to SAFAL. I kept trying, I kept pushing, and I'm really proud to stand here," Kuloba said.
"This is one of the biggest moments of my career as a photographer. I feel so much at home. My photography journey has been supported by many photographers. I remember boarding buses early in the morning to attend photography workshops in Nairobi, then travelling back to Kampala because I truly loved this path."
During a courtesy visit by Kuloba to Uganda Baati, the company's Chief Executive Officer, George Arodi, congratulated him on the achievement.
"This achievement is a proud moment for Uganda. His work demonstrates the power of photography to tell stories that matter and draw attention to the need to protect our natural heritage. Through the Safal Eye in the Wild competition, we are supporting creative talent while encouraging conversations around conservation and education. We congratulate Peter on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to seeing more Ugandan photographers make their mark on the regional and global stage," Arodi said.
Kuloba is a Uganda-based self-taught photographer with a passion for documenting culture, nature and adventure. He has practiced photography for more than a decade and has earned several accolades, including being named the overall winner of the Uganda Press Photo Awards (UPPA) in both 2020 and 2023.
Uganda Baati's Head of External and Corporate Affairs, Jackie Tahakanizibwa, said Kuloba's success reflects the country's growing pool of creative talent.
"Kuloba's win is a testament to the quality of talent we have in Uganda. It is encouraging to see a Ugandan photographer receive recognition on such a competitive platform. Beyond celebrating outstanding photography, this competition is creating opportunities for creatives to inspire conservation, and we are proud to be part of this initiative," she said.
