The Uganda High Commission in Pretoria has officially flagged off a 12-member delegation of South African travel and running influencers who are undertaking a week-long familiarisation tour of Uganda ahead of the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon 2026.
The delegation departed on 18 August 2026 and will travel across Uganda to experience the country’s tourism attractions, landscapes, wildlife, culture and hospitality before culminating their journey at the Rwenzori Marathon in Kasese this weekend.
The initiative forms part of the Uganda High Commission’s efforts to use tourism and sports as platforms for strengthening Uganda–South Africa relations, while promoting Uganda as an attractive destination for South African travellers.
High Commissioner Highlights Economic and Commercial Diplomacy
Speaking during the official flag-off in Pretoria, High Commissioner Paul Amoru, Uganda’s representative to South Africa, described the familiarisation tour as an important milestone in the High Commission’s economic and commercial diplomacy efforts.
He emphasised the importance of deepening people-to-people relations between Uganda and South Africa through tourism, sports and authentic storytelling.
The initiative seeks to give South African influencers first-hand exposure to Uganda, enabling them to experience and subsequently share the country’s tourism offering with their audiences through their respective digital platforms.
By combining tourism with a major sporting event, the initiative also demonstrates how sports tourism can contribute to economic diplomacy, destination marketing and stronger people-to-people connections between the two countries.
Rwenzori Marathon Provides Platform for Sports Tourism
The delegation was welcomed by Mr. Colline Masiga, CEO of the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon, who encouraged the visitors to fully immerse themselves in Uganda’s diverse tourism experiences during their stay.
The familiarisation journey will culminate in Kasese, where the delegation will participate in and experience the atmosphere surrounding the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon 2026.
The marathon has increasingly positioned itself as an important platform for sports tourism, bringing together runners, visitors and tourism stakeholders while showcasing the natural beauty of Uganda’s Rwenzori region.
Mr. Masiga was joined by Mr. Amos Wekesa and members of the marathon team, who have contributed to the event’s growth and positioning as a leading sports tourism experience on the African continent.
High Commissioner Paul Amoru: “More Than a Tourism Experience”
In a message shared following the flag-off, High Commissioner Paul Amoru said he had the pleasure of officially seeing off the delegation as they embarked on their journey across Uganda.
He highlighted that the visit goes beyond a conventional tourism experience, describing it as part of the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria’s commitment to strengthening Uganda–South Africa people-to-people relations through tourism, sports and authentic storytelling.
The High Commissioner also acknowledged the role played by Mr. Colline Masiga, Mr. Amos Wekesa and the wider Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon team in positioning the marathon as one of Africa’s premier sports tourism events.
He wished the South African visitors an unforgettable journey as they discover Uganda’s landscapes, wildlife, culture and hospitality, while expressing anticipation for the stories they will share with audiences around the world.
Showcasing the “Pearl of Africa” to South African Audiences
The familiarisation tour provides an opportunity for South African travel and running influencers to experience Uganda beyond traditional promotional campaigns.
Through their content, the influencers can offer their audiences a first-hand perspective of Uganda’s tourism destinations and experiences, potentially encouraging more South Africans to consider Uganda for leisure travel, adventure tourism and sporting events.
Uganda, known as the “Pearl of Africa,” offers a diverse tourism proposition encompassing wildlife, mountains, cultural experiences and outdoor adventure.
The Rwenzori Marathon adds another dimension to this offering by connecting international visitors with one of the country’s most distinctive regions through running and sports tourism.
Tourism, Sports and Diplomacy
The initiative reflects a growing recognition of the role that tourism and sports can play in strengthening diplomatic and economic relations.
For Uganda and South Africa, such initiatives create opportunities for greater cultural exchange, increased tourism flows and stronger connections between communities, businesses, athletes, content creators and tourism stakeholders.
The week-long journey therefore serves not only as a promotional opportunity for Uganda’s tourism sector, but also as an example of how economic and commercial diplomacy can connect people through shared interests and experiences.
As the delegation continues its journey towards Kasese and the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon 2026, their experiences are expected to generate new stories and digital content introducing South African audiences to Uganda’s tourism potential.
