The Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon has received World Athletics Label Road Race status, becoming Uganda’s first internationally certified marathon and one of only seven such events in Africa, organisers announced at the launch of the race’s fifth edition.
The designation was confirmed Tuesday at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel during a ceremony attended by government ministers, tourism officials and sports stakeholders. The certification positions the August 22 race in Kasese as a qualifying event for premier international marathons including South Africa’s Comrades and Two Oceans races.
World Athletics Label status requires compliance with international standards for course measurement, timing, safety and organisation. The Rwenzori route crosses the Equator on certified tarmac with dramatic elevation changes and views of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. Government pledges totalling approximately Shs3.7 billion (about $1 million) were announced at the launch, with commitments from ministries, including sports and tourism, to support infrastructure, security, prize money, and promotion.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa set ambitious participation targets. “Our ambition is bold. We are looking at attracting up to 100,000 participants over time. Every runner represents revenue for local businesses, income for families and taxes for government,” he said.
Ron Kazooba Kawamara, Vice Chairperson of the Uganda Tourism Board, emphasised the marathon’s role in tourism diversification. “The run alone is now generating more revenue in Kasese than all our previous combined efforts,” he said. “It does not have to revolve around traditional nature offerings alone. It can be a beach concept, cycling routes, or any number of creative experiences. The key is to broaden the conversation and recognise the many opportunities within reach,” he added.
A 2023 economic impact study by the Tourism Research and Development Centre estimated the marathon generated UGX 3.5 billion in direct expenditure in Kasese, with average visitor spending of about UGX 300,000 per person. Hotel occupancy increased from below 40 per cent to over 60 per cent during event periods. The marathon launched on September 3, 2022, with just over 800 runners and Tusker Lite as the title sponsor. Participation doubled to over 2,000 runners by 2023’s second edition and reached over 5,000 by 2025, drawing participants from dozens of countries.
The certified tarmac route crosses the Equator with dramatic elevation changes and views of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. Participants regularly extend stays for guided treks in Rwenzori Mountains National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, and wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The certification aligns with Uganda’s broader tourism momentum. The country recorded 1,371,895 international tourist arrivals in 2024, generating $1.28 billion in revenue, accounting for 16 per cent of total exports, contributing 6.6 per cent to GDP, and supporting over 803,000 jobs.
Participants frequently extend stays for guided treks in Rwenzori Mountains National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, and wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The certification makes the Rwenzori Marathon Uganda’s only World Athletics Label event, accompanying Kenya’s dominance in distance running and established marathons in Nairobi and other regional cities. The designation reflects both course quality and organisational standards that meet the requirements of the international federation.
Organiser Amos Wekesa of Equator Heights said the status puts “Kasese and Uganda on the global map” while noting contributions to athlete talent scouting, public health and conservation efforts. The race offers four distances: a full 42.2 km marathon, a 21.1 km half-marathon, a 10 km run, and a 5 km fun run.
