The staff of Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) - Uganda were part of the hundreds of people who turned up at Kitante school to run for the survival and safety of big cats in Uganda.
Well known for using science to conserve wildlife, WCS could not pass up the opportunity.
The marathon structured under the theme “run to create a safe environment for the survival of big cats,” was presided over by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Mrs. Doreen Katusiime on Sunday, 25th February 2018 at the Uganda Museum Grounds.
Mrs. Katusiime called for continuous unified efforts towards the initiative to increase the species population.
The run was part of activities organized ahead of the main celebrations to mark the national wildlife day on 3rd March 2018 at Nyakasanga grounds, in Kasese District.
The marathon comprised three routes: 5km, 10km and 21km all starting at Kitante school gate and ending at Uganda Museum.
The 21km category was flapped off at 8am, followed by the 10km batch and lastly, the 5km lot, all of which had a 10-minute interval in starting time. By 9:30am, most of three winners in each category had arrived at the finishing point and by 10pm, the award ceremony kicked off.
In the 21km men’s race, Moses Kipsiro emerged the overall winner, followed by John Katerega and Sadik Bahati in second and in third place. In the women’s category, Annet Chesang won first place followed by Diana Cherop and Sylvia Chelangat in second and third place respectively.
The 10km men’s category saw Timothy Toroitich take first place, as Ali Cheburies and Moses Kibet took second and third position. The women’s category had Diana Chemutai as winner, Agnes Amron and Dorcus Chepkemboi as second and third winners.
In the 5 km men’s category, Etiau Rashid won, Oscar Muwanguzi and Abu Mayanja came in second and third place respectively. In the women’s’ elite category, Febia Chemutai was the overall winner, followed by Jennifer Nyakato and Concy Akello.
In the girl’s none elite group, Hilda Cheptegei won as Ndiwa Chesang and Nasta Cherotich came in second and third. In the boy’s category, Enock Chebet scoop the price as Omara Raymond and Harris Fadhil took up second and third place.
The Assistant Commissioner, Wildlife Conservation in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiques, Dr. Akankwasa Barirega who also served as the chairman of the national organising committee thanked participants and organising agencies for taking part.
The initiative attracted many people from government conservation agencies, corporate companies, the civil society and students from various schools in and around Kampala. WCS staff who took part included Benedict Beinomugisha, Paul Hatanga, Rosemary Katushabe, Peter Nsubuga, Paul Mulondo, Beatrice Kyasiimire, Harriet Musabende, Ben Kirunda, Daniel Abowe, Helen Mwiza and the Country Director, Simon Nampindo.
The event was organized by Uganda Wildlife Authority in partnership with the Ministry of tourism, wildlife and antiquities(MTWA), Uganda Tourism board(UTB), Uganda Tourism Association(UTA), Miss Tourism, Kampala capital city Authority(KCCA), Uganda wildlife education centre (UWEC), Uganda Safari Guides Association (USAGA), Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO), Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA), The Uganda Association of Travel Agents. (Tugata) and Tourism Police.