16th July, 2026
There are moments you witness quietly, and you just know. That this could become something bigger. For the Tuskerlite Rwenzori Marathon, that journey has been unfolding for about 5 years now. What started as a simple run at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains has steadily grown into something far more meaningful. Something intentional, structured, and now recognized at some of the highest levels. Today, we have seen the Tuskerlite Rwenzori Marathon journey translate into real milestones.
After last year’s edition, Amos Wekesa together with the Tuskerlite Rwenzori Marathon team met with the First Lady and the former Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni, at the Uganda State House. During that meeting, a proposal for USD 1 million funding was presented to support the growth of the marathon. And the First Lady took this on and did everything within her power to see it through.
The USD 1 million pledge that was later announced at the official launch, following the marathon’s achievement of the World Athletics Label Road Race status, is directly tied to that process.
The 1 million USD cheque handover
Today, the pledge has officially been fulfilled and handed over to the Rwenzori marathon team, at Fairway Hotel. This is not just a promise kept, but a beginning of even further support. The State Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang on behalf of the government once again, has pledged to elevate the marathon upto the Gold Label Status within the coming three years. Through increased funding, strategic investment and institutional support. This will be a shortcut to global visibility and credibility of Uganda as a country, and everything she has to offer. Hence calling out everyone in their capacity to support and show up for the marathon.
What is the $1m for?
The USD 1 million is not just funding. It is validation. It is belief in what has been built and what it can become. This investment will significantly boost prize money and global marketing. Last year, about USD 50,000 was awarded across runners. This year, that same amount is expected to go to just one runner, with about USD 300,000 being invested in prize money overall. This positions the Rwenzori Marathon as the biggest awarding marathon in East Africa.
In the global marathon space, elite and certified runners go where value is. They go where their effort is recognized. Where they are not burdened by expenses, but instead have the opportunity to earn. This move attracts stronger international runners, raises the standard of competition, and pushes the marathon further into the global space. Hence, it makes the goal easier and faster to achieve.
A day of endless good news
We must admit that today has been a truly positive turning point. Just as the Rwenzori Marathon team received the token, another piece of good news was announced by the Ministry of Health. Uganda has officially reported zero active Ebola cases following the discharge of the last patient. This announcement not only reassures the public but also clears the way for major national events, including the Rwenzori Marathon, which has now been officially approved to proceed as planned.
Health authorities have further committed to deploying a dedicated medical team to ensure the safety of all participants. As the country enters the World Health Organization’s 42-day countdown to being declared Ebola-free. We expect no more inconveniences regarding that matter.
As well, the Uganda Tourism Board through their Vice chairperson, Ron Kawamara also pledged continued support, bigger than what has been rendered so far. This shows joint forces all directed to one goal. Really what would go wrong? After all this endorsement! We have seen many other stakeholders step in big time, with every kind of support they could render. This actually descends upto the youth especially in the tourism and sports industries. They are ready to support this cause with anything even as small as one social media post or just telling a friend to accompany them to the marathon. Uganda is uniting at all stages and we are loving this!
The Impact Beyond the Race
We have all witnessed the journey of the Rwenzori marathon. It has been one of structure, discipline, and consistency. Uganda has always had beauty, mountains, rivers, wildlife. But scenery alone does not generate income. What the Rwenzori Marathon has done is turn that landscape into experience, and that experience into value. It moved from simply admiring what exists to structuring it into something that can compete globally.
Every step has been intentional. The marathon has been packaged professionally, organized to global standards, and built deliberately as a product. From route integrity and safety systems to runner experience and logistics. Each edition has improved on the last. It did not rush growth. It built steadily. That is how credibility was earned.
And that credibility is what led to the World Athletics Label. Not just a title, but a signal of trust, quality, and global standard. A signal that the marathon is ready to stand on the world stage. And even progress further into higher categories as it continues to grow.
We have seen a number of activations as well, in different corners of the world. Like Copenhagen, Nairobi, Mombasa, Cape Town, Kigali, Addis Ababa among others. All aimed at not only marketing the marathon but also showcasing Uganda’s premiere products like cuisine, coffee, the mountain gorilla among others. In partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through her missions in the specific cities across the world. Another endorsement from the government.
Beyond the journey, the impact has been just as powerful. The marathon is not just about runners. It has created an entire ecosystem. Every participant that comes in books accommodation, hires transport, eats, explores, and interacts with the local community. Hotels fill up, vendors sell, tour operators create packages,, flights get booked out and the entire country begins to benefit. This is the multiplier effect of tourism.
More Than a Milestone
We are grateful to the Government of Uganda for stepping in at such a critical moment to push this vision forward. This is not just support for a marathon. It is support for tourism, for communities, for business, and for the wider economy. This moment marks yet another big win and achievement for the Rwenzori Marathon. One that shows just how far it has come, and how much further it can go.
That being said, registration is still ongoing on the Rwenzori marathon website. Mark your calendars for 22nd August, Kasese!
By Nakasanje Jannat