The majestic sun brightly glowed as it rose over the beautiful tourism city Fort Portal during the extra-ordinary morning of Sunday, 16th March 2025.
It cast a golden reflecting view across the rolling and undulating hills.
The air buzzed with anticipation, a palpable energy weaving through the streets and outskirts of Fort Portal.
This did not feel like an ordinary day—and it wasn’t.
The occasion was the Save River Mpanga Marathon 2025, a celebration of endurance, community, and an impassioned plea to safeguard one of Western Uganda’s vital lifelines.
By all accounts, it was a day that blended the thrill of human achievement with the quiet urgency of environmental care, a testament to what can happen when people come together for a cause greater than themselves.
The marathon wasn’t merely a race; it was a clarion call, echoing through the Albertine region under the theme “Water and Environment for Climate Action.”
This marathon drew hundreds of runners of different ages and gender.
It was organized as the grand finale of the Albertine Water Week activities—led by the Ministry of Water and Environment through its Albertine Water Management Zone (AWMZ) in partnership with Hima Cement, Water for People, Join for Water, NRDI, Rwenzori Aid, Hilton Foundation, Umberalla, AFRIYEA GOLF ACADEMY and Philip Wollen.
Their goal was to raise awareness of the factors affecting the quality and quantity of water flowing through River Mpanga, which passes through Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kitagwenda, Kamwenge, and Ibanda Districts, providing potable water to more than 1.5 million inhabitants.
Fort Portal, cradled in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains, has long been a place where nature and humanity dance in delicate balance.
The River Mpanga, winding its way from the Karagura Hills through Kabarole, Bunyangabu, Kyenjojo, and Kamwenge Districts before spilling into Lake George, is the artery that sustains this harmony.
It waters fields, fills buckets, and powers small industries—a quiet constant in the lives of thousands.
Yet, it’s no secret that this river has been under siege, choked by pollution, hemmed in by deforestation, and threatened by encroaching settlements.
The marathon, then, was as much a physical challenge as it was a symbolic stand a refusal to let this lifeline fade into memory.
The day began with the kind of crisp morning air that sharpens the senses.
Runners gathered at the starting line, a motley crew clad in vests and trainers, their breath visible in faint wisps.
The races were categorized into 5km, 10km, and 21km.
As the clock struck 8:00 AM, a cheer erupted, and they were off-feet pounding the earth in a rhythm that seemed to echo the river’s own pulse.
The course itself was a thing of beauty, threading through Fort Portal’s streets and along paths that offered glimpses of the Mpanga’s shimmering waters a reminder of what was at stake.
This marathon is more than a race; it’s a movement that unites us as a community to protect the River Mpanga. It’s a golden moment where every step taken reflects our commitment to preserving the lifeblood of Fort Portal for generations to come.
Stanley Bayole, Fort Portal City Resident City Commissioner
The Save River Mpanga Marathon is a powerful testament to collective action for climate resilience. As we run, we amplify the urgent need to safeguard our water resources, ensuring the Albertine region thrives amidst environmental challenges.
Dr. Brian Guma, Team Leader of the Albertine Water Management Zone, Ministry of Water and Environment
The power of sport in environmental protection is undeniable water is the fuel of life, and running a marathon builds strength and sets the mindset into action. It ignites a natural affinity for nature, inspiring us to cherish and defend treasures like the River Mpanga with every stride we take.
Isaiah Mwesige, CEO AFRIYEA Golf Academy
Access to clean and safe water is a fundamental right, and protecting River Mpanga is crucial for sustaining rural communities that depend on it. Events like this marathon highlight the shared responsibility we all have in safeguarding our water sources.
Engineer Jacob Musigunzi from the Ministry of Water and Environment, under Rural Water and Sanitation
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