Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon by presenting a symbolic dummy cheque worth Shs3.7 billion, fulfilling its earlier pledge to support the event over the next four years ahead of the marathon's fifth edition scheduled for August 22, 2026, in Kasese.
The dummy cheque was presented by the State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, during a press held on Thursday, 16 July 2026 at Fairway Hotel in Kampala, highlighting government's continued investment in sports tourism and Uganda's growing profile as a destination for international sporting events.
"On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Sports, under the leadership of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, government is proud to fulfil its commitment to support the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon. This investment is about more than a race, it is about growing sports tourism, creating opportunities for our athletes, stimulating local businesses and showcasing Uganda to the world," said Ogwang.
The government commitment will go towards prize money, helping to attract and boost participation by elite athletes.
The launch also brought welcome reassurance from the Ministry of Health, which confirmed that the marathon will proceed as planned despite recent public health concerns.
Speaking during the event, Ministry of Health spokesperson, Emmanuel Ainebyoona said Uganda's health systems remain fully prepared, noting that the country had marked a significant milestone with the discharge of its last Ebola patient.
"The Ministry of Health wishes to assure all Ugandans and our international visitors that the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon will take place as scheduled. With the successful discharge of the country's last Ebola patient this morning, we have made significant progress in containing the outbreak.. We encourage participants to come and enjoy the marathon while observing the standard health measures that keep everyone safe," Ainebyoona said.
The fifth edition comes at a significant moment for the marathon, which recently attained World Athletics Label Road Race status, placing it among a select group of internationally certified road races in Africa.
Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon Team Lead Amos Wekesa said the continued support from government and key stakeholders demonstrates confidence in the marathon's vision of positioning Uganda as a leading sports tourism destination while creating opportunities for local athletes to compete on an internationally recognised course.
"From the very beginning, our vision has been to create a marathon that showcases Uganda's beauty while giving our athletes an internationally recognised platform to compete and qualify for some of the world's biggest races. Government's support and the confidence shown by our partners will help us continue raising the standards of this event," Wekesa said.
Tusker Lite Brand Manager- Sandra Againe said the brand remains committed to the partnership.
"For five consecutive years, Tusker Lite has proudly partnered with the Rwenzori Marathon because it embodies our belief in living boldly, staying active and creating unforgettable experiences. We are excited to welcome thousands of runners from Uganda and around the world to Kasese this August for another world-class edition that will once again showcase the very best of our country," Againe said.
Uganda Tourism Board Vice Chairperson- Ron Kawamara said the marathon has become one of Uganda's flagship tourism products by combining elite athletics with the country's unique natural attractions.
"The Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon has transformed sports into a powerful tourism driver. It attracts visitors who stay longer, explore more destinations and contribute directly to local communities. It has firmly positioned Uganda among Africa's leading destination marathons and continues to showcase the incredible beauty of Kasese and the Rwenzori region to the world," Kawamara said.
National Council of Sports General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel commended the marathon for setting high organisational standards and elevating Uganda's international sporting profile.
"The National Council of Sports is proud to support events that meet international standards while creating opportunities for Ugandan athletes and inspiring greater participation in sport. The Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon has become a benchmark for road racing in Uganda and continues to contribute significantly to the country's sports development agenda," Dr Ogwel said.
This year's edition is expected to be the biggest yet, with organisers targeting 8,000 participants from across the world. Runners from more than 20 countries have already registered, underscoring the marathon's growing international appeal and its reputation as one of Africa's fastest-rising destination races.
