Uganda: Government targets global tourism boost from Rwenzori Marathon

Government is positioning the 2026 Rwenzori Marathon to market Uganda as a tourism and investment destination, with participants from nearly 45 countries expected in Kasese.

The Minister of State for Education and Sports (Sports), Hon. Peter Ogwang, told Parliament that more than 10 million people across the world are projected to follow this year’s marathon, scheduled for Saturday, 22 August 2026.

“It is, however more than a race. It is a platform for talent identification, a showcase for our tourism, and an opportunity for enterprise in the Rwenzori region and beyond,” Ogwang said.

Minister Ogwang was presenting a statement on the marathon during plenary sitting presided over by Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, on Thursday, 14 August 2026.

Ogwang said government, through the National Council of Sports has contributed Shs3.7 billion towards the marathon, with the funding principally earmarked for the prize purse to attract and reward competitive runners.

The minister said the event has registered significant growth, noting that last year it attracted 18,000 visitors from 36 countries and 6,000 runners. Of the runners, 21 percent came from outside Uganda.

He credited the marathon’s Chief Executive Officer, Amos Wekesa and other partners for transforming what started as a local initiative into an international event that showcases Uganda’s beauty, talent, hospitality and investment potential.

Ogwang said the Rwenzori Marathon could also help revive Kasese’s long-distance running tradition, which declined partly because of the insurgency of the early 2000s and the absence of a structured talent identification system.

Kasese Municipality MP, Hon. Ferigo Kambale said the marathon had taken Uganda to the international stage.

“Rwenzori marathon is one of the world label marathons. In Africa we have around seven of the kind. This marathon has now taken Uganda to the world and it has brought the whole world to Uganda,” Kambale said.

Kasese District Woman MP, Hon. Sarah Itungo Masereka, welcomed government funding but called for investment in facilities to nurture local athletes. She also called for financing facilities or grants for tourism investors to expand hotel capacity, saying Kasese does not have enough accommodation for the growing number of visitors.

The Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Suzan Nakawuki, agreed that accommodation presented a challenge but urged residents to turn it into a business opportunity.

“I know there is going to be an economic boom in Kasese and other opportunities,” Nakawuki said as she encouraged residents with suitable homes to consider turning them into accommodation following the example of Airbnb.

She asked local entrepreneurs to prepare to provide roadside stopovers, restrooms, coffee shops, souvenirs and crafts.

Hon. Julius Acon Bua (NRM, Otuke East County), a former international athlete, used his experience to call for greater government investment in sport.

He recalled winning Uganda a gold medal in Portugal in 1994 at 17 after borrowing running shoes from a Kenyan athlete, saying sport can provide young people with a route out of poverty.

The Shadow Minister for Education, Hon. Bulasio Zambaali, sought assurances on traffic management, ambulances, security and the preparedness of Kasese residents ahead of the influx of visitors.

The Deputy Speaker commended the marathon and its founder, Wekesa for investing heavily in building the marathon.

“This marathon is putting us on the world map, it is internationally recognized,” Tayebwa said, urging government to deepen its partnership with the organisers and explore developing a major Kampala marathon. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

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