How It Went down At The 4th Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori marathon

The 4th edition of the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori marathon crowned on Saturday in Kasese  with electrifying performances from singer Eddy Kenzo plus Dexta Rapper and his gyrating  father, “Mzee Kawato”.

Earlier in the day, Kasese was a sea of green as diverse multitudes of local, elite and recreational runners graced the celebrated event that had a 5km fun run, fun cycling, a 10km race, a 21km half marathon and the challenging 42km full marathon.

The highlight of the event was the 42 km full marathon, which saw Ugandan Bernard Cheptoch  claim victory in the men’s category, while Rachael Chebet emerged as the winner in the women’s category.

Event organiser Amos Wekesa said the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon attracted  4000 participants from over 35  countries, almost double the participants last year.  “We had participants from 35 countries  representing  all continents in the world, except Antarctica,” he mused.

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) CEO Juliana Kagwa had a spring  in her step. She was impressed that  what started as a ‘local’ race 4 years ago with 800 runners has turned into  one of Uganda’s biggest  tourism attractions.

” This marathon is big and can only get bigger. We are going to be intentional about promoting similar marathons in other clusters like Mt Elgon, Fort Portal City and other tourist attractions,” she said.

Stanley Street was turned into a glowing sea of colour, lights, and music as the Tusker Lite Neon Rave shut down Kasese with one of the wildest parties the mountain town has ever seen.

From athletes swapping running shoes for dancing shoes to residents and revellers flooding the streets, Kasese pulsed with energy as neon lights lit up the night, and music carried the celebration deep into the early hours.

The headline act, Eddy Kenzo, had the crowd in a frenzy, belting out hit after hit, Weekend, Nice & Lovely, Sitya Loss and more, turning the street into one massive sing-along.

Kasese’s very own Dexta Rapper (Kasese Giant) and his father, Daddy Kawato turned up the heat with their viral anthem Ini Waa, proving that Kasese is not just about breathtaking mountains but also about unmatched cultural flavour.

And the DJs? They needed no introduction. From DJ Buggy to a lineup that spun everything from EDM to Lingala, Afrobeats to Ugandan Kidandali, the Neon Rave was a buffet of sound that had everyone, locals and visitors alike, on their feet until the very last beat dropped.

Dennise Paula Nazzinda, Brand Manager, Tusker Lite, Uganda Breweries Limited, said: “Tusker Lite is all about doing things differently, and this weekend was proof.

We took the thrill of conquering the Rwenzoris during the marathon and turned it into an unforgettable street party with the Neon Rave. For us, it’s not just about running; it’s about celebrating life, energy, colour, and community.

Kasese welcomed us with open arms, and we gave them a night to remember. That’s the Tusker Lite way: light, vibrant, and always refreshing.”