The Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon has been named Best International Tourism Promoter of the Year 2025 by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, highlighting its growing role in boosting Uganda’s global tourism profile.
The award was presented to Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) on October 1, with Managing Director Felicite Nson receiving it from Marathon Team Lead Amos Wekesa. The recognition comes just days after World Tourism Day and caps a strong year for the marathon, which staged its fourth edition in August.
This year’s race drew runners from 56 countries, according to the Uganda Tourism Board, a sharp rise since the event’s launch in 2022. Wekesa, who operates a tourism business in Kasese, said the marathon has transformed the region’s visitor numbers, with annual tourist traffic increasing more than sixfold since the race began.
“Tourism operators benefit greatly during the marathon because the area is flooded with local and international travelers,” Wekesa said.
“Some families even rent out their homes. I met a woman who told me she made 2.5 million shillings, enough to pay school fees for her children for the year. That impact is real and it keeps growing.”
Nson, who recently assumed her role at UBL, praised the award as recognition of the marathon’s impact on both tourism and local livelihoods.
“We are committed to ensuring that in every community where we operate, we give back meaningfully. That is why we support this event and why we want to keep making it bigger and even more impactful,” she said.
UBL Marketing Director Catherine Ndungu noted that the marathon has quickly established itself as one of the busiest weekends of the year for Kasese and surrounding districts, with hotels, tour operators and local businesses all reporting strong returns.
The event has also served as a launchpad for athletes, including Abel Chelnagat, who was spotted after winning the 2024 edition and has since competed in Porto, Riyadh, Rabat and the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Tusker Lite Brand Manager Denise Paula Nazzinda described the marathon as a driver of community spirit, wellness and economic progress.
“The growth and impact of the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon over the last four years has been inspiring. We’re excited to keep building on this momentum for next year,” she said.
The fifth edition of the marathon will take place in August 2026.
