By Willy Chowoo
Lira City
The winners of the 2025 Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Marathon have been awarded a total of UGX 10.5 million in cash prizes in recognition of their participation and achievements in the race.
The sixth edition of the annual marathon took place at the former Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira City, drawing thousands of participants from across the country. The event is traditionally held ahead of World Wildlife Day, and this year, Lira City had the honor of hosting it.
World Wildlife Day 2025 Theme
This year’s World Wildlife Day, observed on March 3, 2025, is themed:
Global Theme: “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.” This theme highlights the need for innovative and sustainable financial solutions to support global wildlife conservation efforts.
Uganda’s Theme: “Investing in Wildlife Conservation for Sustainable Livelihoods.” This reflects Uganda’s commitment to linking conservation with economic development and community well-being.
Additionally, 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a major milestone in global wildlife conservation.
Marathon Attracts Top Athletes
The marathon attracted some of Uganda’s top Olympic marathoners, as well as athletes from the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Arua Athletics Club, and UWA.
The Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra, commended the athletes for their dedication and contribution to Uganda’s reputation in international sports.
“You work hard to inspire others. What you are doing for this country is very important, and the small money we give to you is not enough to truly appreciate your efforts,” Minister Mugarra said.
In the 42km race, both the male and female winners walked away with UGX 1 million each, while prizes were also awarded in other categories, including 21km, 10km, and 5km races.
Honoring Fallen Rangers
Beyond the competition, the UWA Marathon serves a noble cause—raising funds to support the children of rangers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
According to Mr. Hangi Bashir, the Communications Manager at UWA, the organization is currently sponsoring the education of 60 children of fallen rangers.
“We want to support their families, educate their children, and we are committed to paying for their education from primary school up to university,” Bashir stated.
The marathon runs under the theme: “Running to Educate the Children of Fallen Rangers.”
Rangers often face deadly encounters with poachers and armed groups while protecting Uganda’s wildlife. Over the past two decades, dozens of UWA rangers have lost their lives while on duty. Between 2002 and 2012, 17 rangers were killed, and in the five years leading up to 2014, approximately 25 more rangers died, mainly in confrontations with poachers and armed robberies targeting park revenues.
“Our rangers sometimes fall into traps set by poachers, and in some cases, they face armed attackers,” Bashir added.
Promoting Talent Development
Besides raising funds, the UWA Marathon also serves as a platform for identifying and nurturing athletic talent in Uganda. Many of the winners come from security agencies and athletic clubs, highlighting the strong running culture in the country.
“We want to motivate people to run for their country and develop their talents, in line with President Yoweri Museveni’s vision to promote talent development in Uganda,” Bashir noted.
The success of this year’s event reinforces the marathon’s role in sports development, conservation efforts, and community support, making it a key annual fixture in Uganda’s athletics and conservation calendar.
