News
Kidepo rangers conquer the wild in 21-kilometre fitness challenge
With the sound of a whistle at 6am. The men set off on a gruelling 21-kilometre course, each carrying a 20-kilogramme pack. The women covered the same distance, carrying 10-kilogramme packs.
Lilly Ajarova formerly the CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board handing a trophy to the winning team of rangers (men) from Kidepo Valley National Park. (Photo by Gerald Tenywa)
By: Gerald Tenywa, Journalist @New Vision
_________________
The rangers' race was a test of endurance, blending running, walking and brief moments of rest. But the Kidepo rangers appeared to have mastered the rhythm. They ran faster, walked with purpose and kept their rest periods short.
Their determination paid off. They surged ahead of the competing teams and crossed the finishing line at the Nile Delta first.
Participants in the Wildlife Rangers Challenge 2026 on Saturday, 19, 2026. (Photo by Gerald Tenywa)
This was the terrain that rangers taking part in the 21-kilometre Rangers Race had to brave on Saturday, September 19th, with participants from Kidepo Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
They rose before dawn, at 5:00 a.m., and made their way to Pakuba Aerodrome, where they assembled in teams of four representing different national parks under the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
With the sound of a whistle at 6am. The men set off on a gruelling 21-kilometre course, each carrying a 20-kilogramme pack. The women covered the same distance, carrying 10-kilogramme packs.
Across the challenging terrain, strength, endurance, and teamwork were tested to the limit.
With more rangers stationed at different sections to ensure calm, participants did not seem to mind the lions, which were seen at the fifth kilometre from Pakuba. At the finish, the fastest teams of four in both the men's and women's categories emerged as winners for their respective parks.
In the men's category, Kidepo was followed by Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Uganda's second-largest protected area after Murchison Falls. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, also known as Ziwa, finished third.
In the women's race 2026, while Murchison Falls National Park came second, Queen Elizabeth National Park was third.
Along the course and at the finish line, the rangers were cheered on by colleagues, wildlife officials and corporate representatives who were joined by Jan Sadek, the EU ambassador, Lisa Chesney MBE, the British High Commissioner to Uganda, plus several other diplomats.
Participants in the Wildlife Rangers Challenge 2026 on Saturday, 19, 2026. (Photo by Gerald Tenywa)
Across the challenging terrain, strength, endurance, and teamwork were tested to the limit.
With more rangers stationed at different sections to ensure calm, participants did not seem to mind the lions, which were seen at the fifth kilometre from Pakuba. At the finish, the fastest teams of four in both the men's and women's categories emerged as winners for their respective parks.
In the men's category, Kidepo was followed by Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Uganda's second-largest protected area after Murchison Falls. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, also known as Ziwa, finished third.
In the women's race 2026, while Murchison Falls National Park came second, Queen Elizabeth National Park was third.
Along the course and at the finish line, the rangers were cheered on by colleagues, wildlife officials and corporate representatives who were joined by Jan Sadek, the EU ambassador, Lisa Chesney MBE, the British High Commissioner to Uganda, plus several other diplomats.
Women rangers from Murchison Falls National Park celebrate as they take second place during the Wildlife Rangers Challenge 2026 on Saturday 19. (Photo by Gerald Tenywa)
The envoys and dignitaries later handed trophies to the winning teams, while all the participating rangers received medals—a tribute not just to the distance they conquered, but to the courage, endurance and dedication they carry into the wild every day.
UWA's John Makombo, the commissioner for biodiversity, represented the executive director, Dr James Musinguzi.
The rangers from the winning teams from Kidepo told New Vision that their terrain is challenging, with valleys and hills where they undertake extended patrols for a week. They also said teamwork was rewarding.
The Uganda Conservation Foundation, an NGO and UWA, with partners, organised the Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2026. Similar challenges are held by conservationists in several countries, including Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
"Every kilometre these rangers run represents the extraordinary physical demands they face in protecting Uganda's wildlife and protected areas. The Challenge allows all of us, government, tourism, business, conservation partners and the public to stand behind them and recognise what they do for Uganda every day,” Michael Keigwin who is UCF’s founding trustee and acting CEO.