TOURISM BOOST! UDB Blows Sh20m On Rwenzori Marathon

Kampala, 11th August 2026 – Uganda Development Bank Ltd (UDB), the country’s national Development Finance Institution, has today announced sponsorship towards the upcoming Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon in line with the Bank’s support towards the tourism sector.

The announcement was made Tuesday at an event held at UDB Head Office in Kampala. The event was attended by Dr. Patricia Ojangole, Managing Director, Uganda Development Bank who handed a cheque worth UGX 20 million to Amos Wekesa, Team Lead for Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon.

The 2026 edition of the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon will take place on August 22, 2026, in Kasese District.

Speaking after the handover, Joshua Allan Mwesiga, Director Strategy and Corporate Affairs, Uganda Development Bank said on top of the financial contribution, the Bank will also be fielding a team of staff to participate in the marathon.

“We are supporting the marathon because we believe tourism is a key foreign exchange for the country and by supporting the sector, we are supporting Uganda’s growth,” Mwesiga said.

“As part of our mandate, the Bank seeks to enhance Uganda’s attractiveness as a preferred tourism destination, through diversifying tourism opportunities by promoting experiential tourism including scaling up the country’s cultural, heritage, and culinary tourism,” he added.

Beyond its economic significance, Mwesiga says the marathon aligns with the Bank’s culture pillar that puts people first by prioritizing staff well-being.

This is the second time the Bank is sponsoring the Rwenzori marathon and the third time staff are participating as runners. Mwesiga noted that despite its vast socio-economic potential, the tourism sector still requires support in terms of expansion of accommodation facilities, enabling infrastructure, specialised vehicles as well as skilling.

On his part, Amos Wekesa, the Team Lead, Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon commended Uganda Development Bank for continuously rallying behind the initiative.

“I want to thank Uganda Development Bank for the continuous support towards Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon. In the last two to three years, I know that the leadership in Kasese has convened several meetings focused on how to develop the district, and UDB has played a very key role in those discussions,” Wekesa said.

He said the annual event which is anticipated attract 8,000 runners from 27 countries presents an opportunity to invest in the Rwenzori sub-region. He pointed out the gaps that exist in hotel rooms which are perennially overbooked in the lead up to the marathon.

“To those looking to invest in the tourism sector, Ugandan Development Bank is an essential partner to engage given the Bank’s low interest rates.”

This year, the Rwenzori Marathon was officially awarded World Athletics Label Road Race status, becoming the first marathon in Uganda — and the only the third one in East Africa — to receive the prestigious international designation.

According to Wekesa, this status makes the marathon a launchpad for any Ugandan seeking to qualify for any international marathon including the Olympics.