Five years, one mountain, thousands of stories as Rwenzori Marathon beacons

For athletes, the marathon offers new opportunities. For businesses, it drives economic growth. For Kasese, it brings pride and international recognition. 

Over the past four years, the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon has demonstrated that significant achievements often start with a single idea.

In June 2022, tourism entrepreneur Amos Wekesa and a small group of adventurers stood atop the Rwenzori Mountains, carrying not just climbing gear but a vision.

At the summit, they raised the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon flag, symbolising the start of what would become one of East Africa’s fastest-growing sports tourism events.

“When we raised that flag, many people thought it was an ambitious dream. But we believed the Rwenzori deserved an event that could showcase the region's beauty to the world. Looking back now, it is remarkable to see how far that vision has come. Four years later, that idea has become a movement. 

The Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon has grown into a globally recognised race, attracting thousands of runners, filling hotels, creating local business opportunities, and showcasing Uganda’s tourism potential. Its greatest achievement may be the sense of ownership it has fostered among diverse groups.

The birth of a vision

After the summit expedition, Equator Hikes and title sponsor Tusker Lite launched the marathon at a press briefing at Margherita Hotel in Kasese. The goal was to create an event that combined sport, tourism, lifestyle, and celebration against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains.

At the launch, Elizabeth Mutamuliza, Head of Beer at Uganda Breweries Limited, stated that the partnership reflected Tusker Lite’s commitment to active living and fostering connections through shared experiences.

“As a low-carb beer, Tusker Lite is made for people who enjoy active lifestyles. This marathon allows participants to push themselves on the course and then come together afterwards to celebrate and connect responsibly,” she said.

The first edition, held on September 3, 2022, was challenging. Runners faced rain, mud, and difficult terrain, which became part of the event’s identity. For many, these challenges set the race apart from traditional city marathons.

The local community embraced the marathon from the start. Villages along the route became cheering stations, and residents encouraged runners throughout the demanding course.

After the race, celebrations began, with runners, residents, and visitors gathering for an after-party that later evolved into the Tusker Lite Neon Raves. This lifestyle element further distinguished the event from others in Africa.

The race begins to transform a region

By the second edition, the marathon was exceeding expectations. Participation increased, more spectators attended, and additional partners joined. Kasese began to experience significant benefits, with hotels, restaurants, transport operators, and small businesses seeing increased activity during marathon weekend.

Road improvements made the course more accessible while preserving its scenic appeal. Participation surpassed 1,000 runners, establishing the event as one of Uganda’s leading road races.

“What excites me most is that the marathon has become bigger than the race itself. It has become a platform for tourism, local businesses, athletes, and communities. Every year you see more people discovering Kasese for the first time and leaving with a completely different perspective of the region,” says Wekesa. 

A Makerere University Tourism Research and Development Centre study estimated that the 2023 marathon generated over Shs3.5 billion for the Kasese economy, citing increased tourism, higher hotel occupancy, small business growth, job creation, and greater regional visibility. For many local businesses, the marathon became an economic opportunity.

A platform for bigger dreams

The third edition marked a milestone when the race route received World Athletics certification after assessment by course measurer Gavin Wright.

For organisers, this validated years of effort. For athletes, it opened new opportunities. Abel Chelangat, who won the men’s 42-kilometre race in 2:14:59, benefited significantly.

For elite athletes, a certified course means times are recognised internationally, enabling access to larger races. “Winning in Kasese gave me confidence, but more importantly it gave me a performance that I could use as I pursued opportunities abroad,” Chelangat says.

With a certified marathon time, Chelangat competed in major races such as the Porto, Riyadh, Rabat, and Barcelona Marathons. His success highlighted how the marathon helps Ugandan athletes access international opportunities.

Other runners also used certified results from Kasese to improve rankings, secure sponsorships, and attract interest from athletic clubs. What began as a local race is now a launchpad for athletic careers. The fourth edition marked another leap forward.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, over 3,500 runners from 56 countries participated. For one weekend, Kasese became a global meeting point, with athletes, first-time runners, and international visitors engaging with local communities. 

Adventure seekers explored the Rwenzori Mountains, while entertainment venues were filled after the race.

“One of the most rewarding things for us has been watching the marathon evolve from an ambitious concept into a platform with real impact. Through the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon, we have seen Kasese attract thousands of visitors, create opportunities for local businesses, and gain visibility on the international stage. That growth belongs to many stakeholders, but it demonstrates the powerful role that sport can play in driving tourism and community development,” says Mutamuliza.

Institutional support also increased. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces provided security, and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, along with the Uganda Tourism Board, promoted the marathon as a key platform for showcasing Uganda’s tourism potential.

The impact was evident throughout the district, with accommodation facilities reaching full occupancy and demand for rooms surging as visitors arrived. 

“Before the marathon, August was just another period on the calendar. Today, it is one of our busiest times of the year. We start receiving bookings many months in advance, and many visitors stay longer to explore the area,” says Maureen Nankya, a Kasese business owner.

The event has evolved into a tourism and lifestyle ecosystem.

“The marathon has shown that sport can be a powerful driver of economic activity. Hotels are full, tour operators are busy, and restaurants are serving visitors from dozens of countries. That is the kind of impact we hoped for when we started,” says Wekesa.

The next chapter

As preparations continue for the fifth edition on August 22, the marathon is set to reach another milestone.

It has achieved label status and is now included on the World Athletics Calendar, recognising its international standards in route quality, athlete experience, and event organisation. This recognition significantly increases the race’s visibility among elite athletes and global running communities.

A $1 million (3.7 billion) prize fund, recently announced by State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang, is expected to further raise the event’s profile. For Tusker Lite, the journey from raising a flag on a mountain summit to establishing a globally recognised sporting platform reflects years of investment in a vision that connects active living, tourism, and celebration. 

“As Uganda Breweries, we have always believed that the communities around us should grow alongside our business. One of the things we are most proud of about the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon is seeing the impact it has had beyond race day. Over the years, Kasese has welcomed thousands of visitors, local businesses have benefited from increased activity, and the region has gained visibility on the global stage. Knowing that the marathon has contributed to changing fortunes for many people in the area is incredibly rewarding for us,” says Mutamuliza.