A major milestone was achieved during a high-level meeting at State House Entebbe on April 17, 2024, where plans for the inaugural Kampala Marathon were solidified. The event, with an estimated investment of $4.6 million (approximately 17.5 billion Ugandan shillings), garnered approval from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, signaling the government’s commitment to support this prestigious initiative.
Attending the meeting were key figures including Ambassador Dr. Amina J. Mohamed, former Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Heritage, and Culture in Kenya; Bob Verbeeck, CEO & Founder of Golazo, a renowned sports marketing agency; Peter Ogwang, the State Minister of Education responsible for Sports; and Odrek Rwabwogo, presidential advisor for special duties and chairperson of PACEID Uganda.
President Museveni’s endorsement of funding for the Kampala Marathon underscores Uganda’s aspiration to emerge as a global sports and tourist destination. With a vision to attract elite runners from Uganda and worldwide, the marathon anticipates hosting 20,000 participants annually, including top-tier athletes from diverse backgrounds.
The Kampala Marathon aims to position itself as Africa’s premier marathon, capitalizing on Uganda’s natural beauty and warm hospitality to captivate a global audience. By showcasing the country’s wealth of athletic talent, the event endeavors to spotlight Uganda’s vibrant sporting culture while bolstering tourism across the region.
Benefiting from Uganda’s remarkable infrastructure, picturesque landscapes, and welcoming community, the Kampala Marathon is poised to offer participants an unforgettable experience. Beyond the sporting realm, the marathon promises to inject vitality into the local economy through increased tourism and job creation opportunities.
To ensure the success and integrity of the event, organizers are committed to upholding international standards and best practices. Led by the Ministry of Education and Sports, and supported by industry experts like Bob Verbeeck, the organizing team will oversee all facets of the marathon, including course management, participant registration, security, and hospitality.
The inaugural edition of the Kampala Marathon is scheduled to debut in November 2024, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter in Uganda’s sporting landscape. Additionally, Minister Ogwang updated President Museveni on the readiness for commissioning the National High Altitude Training Centre in Kapchorwa, extending an invitation for the President’s participation in the ceremony.
Among the distinguished attendees at the meeting were Ketty Lamaro, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports, and former Kenyan High Commissioner to Uganda, Ambassador Kiema Kilonzo.
Odrek Rwabwogo, a key figure in the PACIED initiative announced an ambitious goal for Uganda’s tourism sector: achieving USD 1 billion in new tourism arrivals revenues. To accomplish this, the country aims to attract a minimum of 350,000 fresh arrivals, each spending at least USD 3000 during their visit. Rwabwogo emphasized the importance of implementing strategies to drive deadlines on content creation, charter services, and hosting international events within Uganda.
Rwabwogo revealed that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has given approval for a collaborative effort between various ministries, including education, works, and others, to kickstart the planning process for a global circuit Marathon to be held in Uganda. This marathon is expected to draw a minimum of 20,000 participants over the course of a week, contributing a combined average of USD 60 million to the country’s economy.
Rwabwogo expressed gratitude to the supporters of this initiative, including Dr. Amina Mohammed and Ambassador Kilonzo, for their unwavering commitment. He also acknowledged the pivotal role played by the private sector, particularly individuals like Amos Wekesa, a prominent tour operator and investor, in driving Uganda’s tourism agenda forward. Additionally, he extended appreciation to Hon. Peter Ogwang, the Sports Minister, for his dedication to advancing the country’s tourism and sports sectors.
He stated that this collaborative effort underscores Uganda’s determination to capitalize on its natural beauty and cultural richness to attract visitors from around the globe, thereby boosting economic growth and prosperity.
