East African tourism initiatives highlighted by pageant and marathon

Tanzania will send six contestants to the Miss Tourism East Africa 2026 finals in Kampala, Uganda. This delegation includes three representatives from mainland Tanzania and three from Zanzibar, doubling the standard allocation of three contestants per participating country. The event, organized by the Miss Tourism Africa Organisation, is scheduled to take place at the Marriott Hotel in Kampala from September 5th to 12th.

In a separate regional development, Uganda is hosting the fifth Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon in Kasese on August 22nd. Organizers aim to attract 8,000 runners from 49 countries to the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. The marathon is recognized as a World Athletics Label Road Race and serves as an official qualifier for major ultramarathons in South Africa. The Ugandan government is utilizing the event as a tool for sports and economic diplomacy to promote tourism and investment in the western highlands.