The 2026 Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon has been cleared by the Ministry of Health to go ahead after initial uncertainty caused by the Ebola outbreak in Uganda and neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the Senior Public Relations Officer and Senior Communications Officer at the Ministry of Health, confirmed that the event will proceed with safety guidelines in place.
“This marathon has been cleared to happen and we have provided guidelines to ensure the marathon is safe for all participants.
“The Ebola situation is more or less under control. We have started the countdown, which is now a formality.
“Uganda is open for visitors and there should be no worry,” Ainebyoona said.
The clearance comes on the day the Country has discharged its last Ebola patient, triggering a 42-day countdown that could see the country declared free of the virus.
Organised by Equator Hikes and sponsored by Tusker Lite, the fifth edition of the marathon is scheduled for Kasese on August 22, 2026.
What started in 2022 as an ambitious project to stage a world-class marathon in Kasese has grown into a major sports tourism event, attracting thousands of runners and visitors from Uganda and beyond every August.
Sandra Againe, Brand and Communications Manager at Uganda Breweries Limited, said preparations for the fifth edition are already on course.
“We are proud to be associated with the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon once again. We are very ready for this fifth edition and we expect over 8,000 runners. The kits will be out soon,” she said.
The marathon has become a key driver of tourism in the region, boosting hotels, local businesses and positioning Uganda as an emerging sports tourism destination.
It has also attained Label Status and earned a place on the World Athletics Calendar, further enhancing its international profile.
Government Committs Sh3.7bn
The government has committed UGX 3.7 billion towards this year’s Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon.
The funding was announced by the State Minister for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, during the marathon’s launch. He was joined by National Council of Sports General Secretary Dr. Patrick Bernard Ogwel, NCS Chairperson Ambrose Tashobya and Uganda Tourism Board representative Ron Kawamara.
The UGX 3.7 billion allocation will be used to expand the marathon’s operations and raise its international profile, building on the event’s growth since its inaugural edition in Kasese in 2022.
“On behalf of the government, if you have ideas that are scientifically proven, there is no way government cannot support you. I have participated in this marathon twice and have seen its impact,” Ogwang said.
“Today, I am here to fulfil the commitment I made in February. We have seen our athletes run in London, New York and Amsterdam, but we have not had a product where they can compete, perform and win at home. Sports have always been here, tourism has always been here, but nobody was building that product.
“That is why I want to thank Amos Wekesa and his team for creating this marathon. Today, I am committing this funding, and I will continue working to increase it. Our goal is to make this a World Athletics Gold Label race.”
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