Annual Kasese marathon to drive tourism numbers
Come August 23, 2025, and more than 5,000 runners, from elite athletes to casual joggers, are expected to take part in an event that is fast becoming one of East Africa’s most exciting fixtures on the sports tourism calendar.
Mabere ga Nyina Mwiru in Toro Kingdom is a crowd puller for culture tourism which is popular with domestic and foreign tourists. (Photos by Titus Kakembo)
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All roads lead to Kasese as the town gears up for the annual Rwenzori marathon, a thrilling blend of athletic competition, cultural celebration, and breathtaking scenery.
Come August 23, 2025, and more than 5,000 runners, from elite athletes to casual joggers, are expected to take part in an event that is fast becoming one of East Africa’s most exciting fixtures on the sports tourism calendar.
What makes this marathon special is not just the challenge, but the setting. Staged in the shadow of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, famously dubbed the “Mountains of the Moon", the route carries runners past the Equator monument, through lush foothills, coffee plantations, and rural Bakonzo homesteads. Each stride is framed by jagged peaks, crisp mountain air, and the rhythmic soundtrack of birdsong and rustling leaves.
Sports tourism on the rise
Sports tourism in Uganda is enjoying a surge, and the Rwenzori marathon is helping lead the charge.
“People don’t just want to watch, they want to run, hike, cycle and then immerse themselves in the culture, food, and beauty of the destination,” event organiser Amos Wekesa says.
The ripple effect is visible across the region. Hotels in Kasese, with over 2,000 available rooms and neighbouring Fort Portal city are nearly at capacity.
A boat ride in Queen Elizabeth National Park brings tourists closer to birds and mammals.
Restaurants are bracing for brisk business, craft markets are buzzing, and tour operators are packaging post-race adventures, from game drives and boat cruises in Queen Elizabeth National Park, to chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, to guided treks deep into the Rwenzori.
More than just a race
Tourism ministry permanent secretary Doreen Katusiime says on the eve of the event, runners and spectators will be welcomed with the infectious energy of the Bakonzo people - traditional dances, flowing local beer, and plates piled with western Uganda’s delicacies.
“This new tourism product of a marathon weekend is as much a cultural festival as it is a sporting competition. Environmental conservation is part of its heartbeat. A share of race proceeds funds tree-planting drives and community conservation projects in the Rwenzori foothills. In recent years, organisers have worked with schools to inspire young people with the twin passions of fitness and environmental stewardship,” Katusiime says.
A race for every runner
The event caters to all abilities. The 42km full marathon demands stamina and grit, with steep climbs and winding trails. The 21km half-marathon offers a mix of challenge and leisure, while the 10km fun run draws families, tourists, and locals eager to soak in the experience without the longer grind.
Boosting the local economy
Kasese’s mayor, Chance Kahindo, calls the marathon a “game-changer” for the district.
“The revenue it generates in just a few days equals what some businesses earn in months,” he says.
Vendors are stocking up on fresh fruit, energy snacks, and handmade souvenirs, while bodaboda riders, taxi drivers, and bus operators prepare for a busy weekend ferrying runners and spectators.
Building a legacy
Now in its fifth year, the Rwenzori Mountains Marathon attracts participants from as far as the USA, Europe, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. For many, it’s not just about crossing the finish line - it’s about the journey: meeting locals, exploring untamed landscapes, and pushing personal limits.
As one past participant, Maureen Balayo, reflected: “You come for the run, but you leave with a story you’ll tell for the rest of your life.”
When the starter’s pistol fires this weekend, its echo will roll through valleys and up the Rwenzori slopes - signalling once again that in Kasese, sport and adventure run stride for stride to the very roof of Africa.