Ahead of the fifth edition of the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon, a group of international runners and running influencers has arrived in Uganda for the 2026 event, scheduled for this Saturday, August 22, in Kasese.
The team was officially welcomed to Uganda on Monday, August 17, 2026, at the Uganda Tourism Board offices in Lugogo, Kampala, by representatives from Explore Uganda, the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria, and the marathon organising team, including title sponsor Tusker Lite.
The delegation is made up largely of runners from South Africa, with the team accompanied by a filming crew. Beyond taking part in the marathon, they will also tour and capture footage of various tourist attractions, showcasing Uganda’s destinations to audiences around the world.
Among the notable figures is Sipho Marima, a Beginner Runners Coach (42km), a global running influencer. Sipho, who was part of the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon activations in South Africa earlier this year will be running in Kasese for the second time.
“I am happy to be back,” Sipho said in his address. “Last year was amazing, and the highlight of my visit, beyond the gorilla trekking, was taking part in the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon. As a runner, it made me feel at home. I can’t wait to experience it again.”
Speaking at the welcome ceremony, Uganda Tourism Board CEO- Juliana Kaggwa said the growing international profile of the marathon was a valuable platform for Uganda to tell its tourism story.
“Through Explore Uganda platform, we are inviting the world to come and experience Uganda beyond what they may have seen or heard about. The Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon gives us that opportunity, bringing together runners and visitors from different parts of the world and taking them into the heart of the Rwenzori region. We encourage everyone to be part of the marathon and, while here, to explore Uganda, experience our culture, taste our cuisine, meet our people and discover the incredible destinations that make Uganda so special,” Kaggwa said.
For Tusker Lite, the marathon’s growth over just five editions is a milestone the brand is proud of.
“It is rewarding to see the marathon create activity for communities and businesses across the region, from accommodation and transport providers to restaurants, tour operators and other service providers. As we head towards D-day, we encourage everyone coming for the marathon to make the most of their time in the region.
Beyond the race, we will have a Neon Rave experience featuring performances from artists such as Cindy and Fik Fameica, alongside performances from top local DJs,” said Sandra Againe, Tusker Lite Brand Manager at Uganda Breweries Limited.
Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon Chief Executive Officer Collin Masiga, flanked by the event Team Lead, Amos Wekesa, stated that more than 4,000 entries have already been registered, with over 2,000 race kits collected by participants.
“We are almost sold out, and we are continuing to receive a high number of entries as we approach marathon week. Based on the current response, we expect a full field on race day and are looking forward to welcoming all the runners to Kasese,” Masiga said.
The Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon returns as a a Label race featured on the World Athletics calendar. Registration for the event remains open via https://www.rwenzorimarathon.com/registration
