By Our Reporter
Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, together with Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Uganda Airlines have announced a generous contribution of UGX 800 million shillings towards the fourth edition of the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon. This announcement was made during the official flag off at Fairway hotel with marathon slated for 23rd August in Kasese district.
This year’s race will feature 42km, 21km, and 5km categories and will appeal to elite runners as well as fitness enthusiasts. Beyond the race, participants are encouraged to explore the wider Rwenzori region, home to national parks, cultural sites, crater lakes, and warm, welcoming communities.
This year’s edition builds on the success of past marathons, which have not only increased visitor traffic to Kasese but also unlocked opportunities for local businesses, hospitality operators, and youth in the region.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Doreen Katusiime commended the collaborative effort behind the marathon and reaffirmed government commitment to supporting initiatives that unlock Uganda’s regional tourism assets. “This marathon is more than a race. It is part of a larger tourism vision. Today’s travellers seek experience, wellness, culture, nature, and community. The Rwenzori Marathon is a flagship tourism experience sustainable, locally rooted, and globally appealing. Uganda is ready, Uganda is rising, and all Ugandans welcome everyone to the Pearl of Africa,” she noted.
Amos Wekesa, one of the vision bearers behind the Rwenzori marathon, highlighted the long-term economic growth that drives the event. “Last year, over 15 billion shillings were spent in Kasese and surrounding areas because of the marathon. Kasese’s accommodation facilities are nearly fully booked, and number of runners, especially from Kenya, continues to grow. Our dream is to bring 2,000 to 3,000 Kenyan runners by 2026, turning this event into a major tourism and wellness destination,” he said.
CEO UTB Juliana Kagwa while addressing the media noted, “This event speaks directly to our mandate to market Uganda as a competitive destination by promoting regional tourism products. The Rwenzori Marathon showcases the kind of potential that lies outside the traditional tourism corridors. We are here to support it because we believe this is how we spread the benefits of tourism across the country.”
She noted that the marathon aligned with national efforts to decentralize tourism and boost visibility for regional destinations in line with Uganda’s Destination Marketing Strategy. Organizers expect this year’s edition to attract even more attention, especially from international runners, wellness travellers, and media platforms keen on telling Uganda’s unique tourism stories.
This edition will have runners from 32 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa with over 50 countries targeted to attend. To stimulate numbers, government and tourism partners have rolled out key elements of support that include: discounted entry fees to Uganda’s national parks to encourage runners and visitors to explore the country’s natural wonders, a familiarisation tour for influencer groups at event designed to showcase the best of Uganda’s tourism offerings and discounted airfare by Uganda Airlines for marathon participants.