The Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon, now in its 5th edition, is a World Athletics Label Road Race held annually in Kasese District, located at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains. It was created as a social enterprise, built to promote healthy living, support Ugandan talent, boost tourism, and raise climate awareness, especially as the glaciers of the Rwenzori Mountains melt and Kasese becomes one of the regions most at risk from climate change.
This year’s event, held on 22 August 2026, attracted more than 8,000 runners and was built around the theme “Our Culture, Our Heritage, Our Diversity, Live It, Love It”. Beyond the race itself, the marathon included cleaning campaigns, biodiversity awareness weeks and cultural exhibitions that brought residents and visitors together.
For the Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST), whose work in the district focuses on supporting smallholder farming communities to sustainably manage their land while earning a living from it, joining the marathon was a chance to stand alongside the farmers who make its Trees for Global Benefits project model work. Among more than 70 participating project farmers and staff, there was a shared sense of enthusiasm at the prospect of winning the grand prize of UGX 40 million.
This was especially true for Milikiyodi Bithakuma from Mahongo sub-county, who has taken part in every edition of the Marathon since its inception in 2022, running the full length of 42 kilometres, with a diverse group of farmers from 8 other sub-counties including Kabatunda, Buhuhira, Rugendabara, Maliba, Bugoye, Kitswamba, Rukoki and Kyarumba.
The marathon was more than a test of endurance. It provided an opportunity for these farmers to network with runners from across Uganda and beyond, exchanging experiences and ideas on tree growing, environmental conservation, and climate action, but above all, to have fun together.
Muhindo Amos, a coffee and cocoa farmer from Kyondo sub-county; Kusemererwa Geoffrey, a farmer from Kitswamba sub-county; Biira Maliiza Kapau, a 56-year-old tree farmer from Mahango sub-county; and two teenage farmers, Muhindo Clovia (17) and Kiiza Winfred (15), from the same sub-county, couldn’t contain their excitement on receiving silver medals on completion of the 21 kilometre route.
Speaking to journalists after the race, Swizin Bwambale, chairman of the Mahango farmers group, thanked ECOTRUST for its continued commitment to supporting farmers beyond conservation activities. Kimera William, a farmer coordinator from Kyarumba Banywani, echoed the same sentiment, noting the strong relationship between the Kasese farmers and the organisation, and its willingness to stand alongside the communities it serves.
As evening fell, the atmosphere in Kasese shifted from athletic competition to community celebration. Local performers entertained crowds before renowned Ugandan musicians; Cindy Sanyu and Pallaso took the stage as headline acts. Cindy Sanyu’s energetic performance drew enthusiastic cheers from fans while Pallaso kept revellers dancing late into the night.
For the organisation, participation in the Rwenzori Marathon has become an annual celebration of national heritage and a platform to promote much-needed awareness around the realities of climate change in a landscape of vital ecological significance. ECOTRUST continues to support more than 29,000 smallholder farmers in Kasese district through initiatives focused on climate change mitigation, livelihood improvement and biodiversity conservation.
