Rwenzori Marathon shows what’s possible when Uganda diversifies tourism offering

What the report says

In a commentary published by The Independent Uganda on September 28, 2026, Hosea Katamba uses the recently concluded Mt Rwenzori Marathon to argue that Uganda can grow tourism by broadening the kinds of experiences it offers. He says the event, now in its fifth year, drew 8,000 runners from more than 42 countries, up from 6,000 runners from 36 countries the previous year, and notes that it has also earned World Athletics Label Road Race status.

The piece places the marathon in the wider context of Uganda’s tourism sector, which the author describes as an important source of foreign exchange and a key part of the country’s long-term economic growth plans. It also points to the National Development Plan IV’s emphasis on diversifying tourism products and extending visitors’ stays, while encouraging more domestic tourism spending. The author argues that a sports event such as the Rwenzori Marathon shows how private-sector initiative and public support can combine to create new attractions beyond wildlife and scenery.

Katamba says the marathon has turned Kasese into a weekend destination and channels spending into accommodation, transport, food, entertainment and shopping. He cites an estimate that runners could have spent at least UGX 4 billion in the local economy over the marathon weekend, though this figure is presented as a conservative calculation in the commentary rather than an official event total.

The broader point of the article is that Uganda could replicate similar experience-based tourism products in other regions to attract more visitors, especially domestic travellers, and spread the economic benefits more widely.