KAMPALA.Airtel Money has been unveiled as the official payment partner for the 2026 edition of the Virunga Gorilla Marathon.
The announcement was made during a function held at Gold Tulip Hotel in Kampala on Friday.
Speaking during the event, Airtel Money head of operations, Hope Ekudu said the partnership is aimed at championing conservation, community empowerment, and social impact.
She said the partnership will ensure that through Airtel Money Merchant Pay, Virunga Marathon participants can now purchase their kit seamlessly in a fully cashless way at no extra cost
“Here, we take another step in advancing our vision of a cashless economy—one that simplifies transactions and makes them more accessible through digital solutions. At Airtel Money, we believe that the future of financial transactions is digital, driven by simplicity, accessibility, and convenience. This partnership brings that vision to life on a trusted and impactful platform,” Ekudu said.
She said the collaboration goes beyond sponsorship and is about delivering everyday convenience while supporting the broader ecosystem around the marathon.
The Airtel Money head of operation said Kisoro remains a vibrant hub of tourism, culture, and enterprise.
“Through this partnership, local businesses and community members are not just included but are active participants in a growing digital economy. This collaboration also advances digital financial inclusion by enabling runners from across Uganda and beyond to embrace cashless payments. At the same time, it supports more sustainable practices by reducing reliance on paper and physical transactions, aligning with the conservation spirit of the Virunga Marathon,” she said.
“It is a small but meaningful step towards protecting the environment while building inclusive and future-ready communities.”
The State Minister for Tourism, Martin Mugarra hailed the marathon for not only promoting tourism but also identifying talent.
He said government is committed to developing Kisoro.
“ I want the people of Kisoro to have hope. Just like when we were starting with the Rwenzori Marathon, Kasese had no roads. If you go there now, there are roads. Government is committed, and in the next few years Kisoro will be a different place altogether. I also want to thank government because the most important pillar of this sector is peace. Without it, we would not be here,” Mugarra said.
3,000 participants targeted
One of the lead organisers, Kenneth Kamukama, said the 2026 Virunga Gorilla Marathon targets over 3,000 runners.
“We are targeting 3,000 runners as we seek to have a better experience for every runner as we attract participants from across East African and beyond. We want to grow the marathon into one of the biggest experiential marathons in the region as we seek to deepen our impact in conservation , tourism and community development,” Kamukama said.
He said the marathon aims to deal with climate change, promote tourism, economic development and talent identification.
“As we bring Kisoro to the people and people to Kisoro, we want to ensure economic development of the area in Kisoro. We want to see businesses like hotels, restaurants, bars supported .”
According to John Tibita, one of the organisers, the 2026 edition of the marathon will offer four race categories: 6km, 10km, 21km, and the full 42km marathon.
The 2026 Virunga Gorilla Marathon will be held on May, 30, 2026.