By Our Reporter
Ugandan music heavyweights, Fik Fameica and Cindy Sanyu are set to bring the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon to a high-energy close when they headline the post-race Neon Rave in Kasese on August 22.
The announcement adds a musical climax to the fifth edition of the marathon, which has grown from a relatively young road race into one of the region’s notable sporting events. The race has attained Label Marathon status and is now listed on the World Athletics calendar, raising its profile among athletes beyond Uganda.
For runners, the main challenge remains the demanding course set against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains. But once the running is over, the attention will shift to the Neon Rave, where organisers expect the fifth anniversary celebration to continue with music, entertainment and a celebration of the community that has grown around the race.
“We wanted the fifth edition to feel like a milestone from start to finish. The marathon has grown tremendously over the years, and the celebration in Kasese should reflect that growth. Fik Fameica and Cindy Sanyu bring the energy, talent and star power to give runners, fans and the people of Kasese a memorable experience after the race,” said Sandra Againe, the Tusker Lite Brand Manager.
Fik Fameica, one of the country’s most prominent contemporary performers, recently appeared at the official unveiling of the marathon’s 2026 kit at Uganda Breweries Limited offices in Luzira. During the event, the rapper invited fans to make the trip to Kasese, promising a performance built around some of his biggest songs, including the popular Siaka.
His appearance at the kit unveiling also gave the marathon a taste of the entertainment expected in Kasese, where the artist will take the stage alongside Cindy Sanyu.
Cindy, popularly known as the “King Herself”, returns to the Neon Raves after performing at the 2023 edition in Kasese. Her return comes at a time when the singer has added another international accolade to her career, winning Reggae Artist of the Year at the Basadi Music Awards in South Africa.
For her Kasese performance, Cindy is expected to draw from a catalogue that includes See You Tonight, Like You, Stay and Nayise Naye, bringing a blend of established hits and her energetic stage presence to the celebrations.
The choice of the two artists reflects the marathon’s broader attempt to make the event about more than running. Over its five editions, the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon has increasingly combined sport with tourism, music, lifestyle and community participation, turning race day into a wider destination experience for both runners and spectators.
The musical programme will also give Kasese’s emerging and established local acts an opportunity to share the stage with two of Uganda’s biggest performers. Organisers say the local talent will form an important part of the entertainment line-up, ensuring the fifth anniversary celebration retains a strong connection to the host community.
Adding to the atmosphere will be a team of DJs and Tusker Lite influencers, including DJ Bugy, AfroKing DVD, Dance Mamweta, Adele Kiele and Saint Trevor.
With thousands of runners expected to converge on Kasese for the fifth edition, the organisers are positioning the Neon Raves as more than an after-party. It is expected to be the final expression of a marathon that has steadily evolved into a sporting and lifestyle event, with the mountains providing the backdrop for the race and music providing the soundtrack to its conclusion.