Organizers, sponsors, and key stakeholders gathered yesterday for a special luncheon to reflect on the success of the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon and lay the groundwork for its highly anticipated fourth edition on August 23, 2025.
The luncheon highlighted the marathon’s impressive growth since its inception in 2022. From an initial 800 participants, last year’s edition saw a remarkable increase to over 3,700 runners. This year, organisers are targeting 6000 runners.
Stakeholders reviewed key milestones, economic impact, and upcoming improvements to enhance the experience for both runners and visitors.
The 2024 edition saw an 87% increase in participation over 2023. Of the runners, 85% were Ugandan, 10% came from other African countries, and 5% travelled from outside Africa. The event has significantly boosted tourism in Kasese, with 89% of runners making the trip specifically for the marathon and 70% extending their stay to explore attractions like Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Founder Amos Wekesa emphasized the marathon’s impact beyond the race itself, citing its contributions to health, tourism, economic empowerment, and environmental conservation. “The marathon is no longer just a race; it’s a movement that’s uplifting Kasese and beyond. We love the involvement, participation and feedback from all corners of the world,” Wekesa said.
Over the years, the annual marathon event has grown and highlighted its emergence as a premier sporting and tourism event in Uganda.
Economic Impact and Growth
A survey conducted after the 2024 edition revealed the marathon’s strong economic influence:
- 90% of locals acknowledged the marathon’s positive impact on the local economy.
- 87% of businesses reported increased visibility, customer flow, and sales.
- 100% of hotels and accommodations were fully booked during the event.
Despite these successes, challenges remain, including limited accommodation, inadequate washroom facilities, transport logistics, and competition between local businesses and external service providers.
Organizers outlined strategies to address these issues, including allocating vendor spaces for local businesses, advocating for group transport to Kasese, enhancing environmental awareness initiatives, and moving the event to a larger venue.
Catherine Ndugu, Marketing and Innovations Director, UBL expressed her admiration for the event’s impact.
“We applaud all the runners, visitors, entrepreneurs, and partners who have made this marathon a success. Each and every one of you has been very instrumental in our journey to transform the marathon into more than just a race. We are definitely looking forward to another incredible edition this year,” Ndugu said.
Hon. Kabbyanga Godfrey Baluku Kiime, Minister of State for Information, Communication Technology, and National Guidance, lauded the marathon for revitalizing the Kasese region.
“Kasese has struggled since the decline of mining and railway services, but this marathon has revived economic activity and infrastructure development,” he noted. He also reassured future participants that efforts are underway to improve accommodation options, including renovations of small hotels and the introduction of camping sites.
With the support of key sponsors such as Tusker Lite, Britam, Rwenzori Water (Coca-Cola), Standard Chartered, Toyota, the Ministry of Tourism, Uganda Wildlife Authority, and Kasese Investors, the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon is set to continue growing in scale and significance.
Organizers remain committed to delivering an even better experience in 2025, cementing the event’s status as a must-attend race for athletes and adventure seekers alike.
