OBR Marathon in Uganda- THE ROYAL ULTRA SKY MARATHON RWENZORI

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

BRIEF CONCEPT OF THE ROYAL ULTRA SKY MARATHON RWENZORI

Introduction

Obusinga bwa’Rwenzururu is a cultural institution in Uganda lying in the Districts of Kasese,

Ntoroko and Bundibugyo. It also spills into the North Kivu province in the DRC. Its people’s

cultures are intertwined in nature and very much relate to nature conservation. They look at

nature as a source of life and its degradation as a lethal situation.

The Royal Ultra Sky Marathon – Rwenzori is an annual mountain sport where the people of

Rwenzururu Kingdom express intimacy with the biodiversity of the Rwenzori Mountains as a

cultural heritage site by running across the Rwenzori Mountains.

Background

The Banyarwenzururu (the people of Rwenzururu Kingdom) have great love for their

motherland especially the Rwenzori Mountain and its environs. They are rather short in height

with well built bodies which is rather an adoption to the ragged high and sloping landscape.

They are also believed to posses big lungs which support them in low oxygen zones up the

mountain. But this would support their ability to run up hill.

The beautiful Rwenzori Mountain form a significant land mark here and it is from the snow

(esyanzururu) which covers its top, that the kingdom and its people draw their identity and

name. The mountain is also believed to be the home of the supreme god, Kithasamba who

lives at the top of the mountain with his seven wives living on the lower peaks of the mountain.

Rwenzori Mountain is therefore sacred and mystical. A number of foreign tourists visit the area

especially those hiking the mountain and researchers.

It is from the above background potential that Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu through its Ministry

of Environment, Tourism and Cultural sites intends to organize for a popular game called

Mountain racing and code named Royal Ultra Sky Marathon – Rwenzori being second of its

kind.

Objectives

1. To enhance the development of physical and psychological health and fitness of the

participants

2. To bring participants and the spectators to the reality of Rwenzori’s beautiful nature hence

instill a sense of love to conserve nature.

3. To bring a sense of pride to the Community through competition among clans symbolized

by their totems

4. To offer employment and other income generating opportunities to the community who

will engage in selling local products and services to the games and sports crowds and

related activities.

5. To promote a culture of sports and games in the kingdom as opposed to idleness and non

productive leisure

6. To promote interest and support for conservation of Rwenzori environment among

communities neighboring RMNP through community participation.

7. Increase income to both Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu and its partners from games and sports

and tourism related activities

8. To diversify the tourism attractions through inclusion of games and sports

Target people

1. The youth (male and female between 18years to 60 years)

2. Communities neighboring RMNP

Note:

The last Marathon was held on 18th October 2011 with 115 participants, 94 men and 21 women

with about 10,000 spectators. Height gained was 3,640ft, distance covered was 34Km partners

include UWA, Flora and Fauna International, USAID-STAR, Uganda Telecom, National water en

sewage corporation and a number of local medium scale enterprises. The Guest of Honor was

His Majesty the Omusinga accompanied by the Queen and the winning clan was the Bathangyi

clan.

This year’s Marathon will be held on 1st September, 2012 in Mpondwe to Ihandiro through

Bwera and Karambi Sub Counties. It wil be part of the activities of the launching of Bulemba

Cultural walk and commemorating the death of the first King of OBR (Isaya Mukirane)

Activities to launch Bulemba Cultural walk project

Activity

Fuel for officials organizing and officiating at the function

–

Tents 1×4

Chairs

Invitation letters (VIPS)

Public address

Airtime

Refreshments for guests

Meals (1 bull)

Boiled bananas

Vegetable/spices

Hiring of cooks / plates

4x 100,000

400×500

20×1200 (water)

Mountain Marathon Race

Radio announcements-

Registration of participants

Uniform for participants

Refreshments for participants

Sports Officers’ transport refund

First Aid

Transport refund to First Aiders

Marking of marathon Race Trail (fuel)

Flyers

Banners

Winners prizes

Certificates to participants

Rescue vans/motorcycles (fuel)

150×10,000

30 cartons

20×10,000

10×10,000

500×1000

200×3000

Total

Winners Prizes both the male / female winners (each of the prizes are in pairs as both male and female positions from the first to the tenth shall be awarded equally)

1st –

Motorcycle

2nd –

TV (21 inches)

3rd –

Bicycle

4th –

Bags of cement

5th –

Mattress

6th –

Blanket

7th –

Mobile phone (3 lines)

8th –

Mobile (2 lines)

Mobile phone (1 line)

9th –

10th – Mobile phone (1 line)

All participants shall receive Certificate of Participation.

Registration is Uganda shillings 10,000 for individuals and Ugx 250,000 for Corporate

–

bodies (team of 6 participants)

– Corporate bodies intending to sponsor participants are also required to contribute

uniform and any other necessary gear.

– Corporate bodies intending to advertise and associate themselves with the Race

through use of flyers and banners are required to register with OBR at a fee of Ug

shillings 100,000.

–

Only 150 places are available, register now at the Obusinga bwa’Rwenzururu offices on

Alexander Street – Kasese Municipality.

Contact person: Mr. Kisobulu Ericana – 0782 255 460

Signed by:

Hon. Kule Walyuba
Minister of Environment, Tourism and Cultural sites
0785 221 569 / 0702 547 186 / 0751 009 469  Country Code (00256)