Local athletes ready for UWA marathon in Lira City

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) will host a marathon in Lira City over the next two days.

Local athletes are finalising their preparations for the run.

Kalibata Brian, a medical student at Jerusalem School of Nursery in Lira, has confirmed that he is ready for the run. Kalibata, who has competed in national trials twice for the 200m and 400m events, is eager to challenge the current record holders.

Meanwhile, Fred Ojok, 56, is a Lira City resident. He believes that his 14 years of experience in the 42-kilometer marathon will propel him to a top-four finish.

Moses Abal, coach of the Lango team “Roco Paco,” stated that the goal is to revitalise athletics in the Lango subregion.

The team, he said, will include athletes such as Mike Agong (5000m), Dominic Owene (10000m), George Ogwal (10000m), and Kenneth Banaya from Gulu (5000m), among others.

The marathon will be held on March 2, 2025, at Lira City’s old Akii-Bua Stadium, with the goal of raising funds for the education of the children of fallen rangers.

Rogers Kipkut, a UWA staff member and marathon technical operator, explained that the event was brought to the Lango sub-region because of its rich athletic history.

He mentioned the late Akii Bua, who set a world record in the 400-meter sprint.

Rogers mentioned that Lango is home to talented athletes like Julius Acon, who represents Otuke County in the 11th Parliament.

More than 1,000 people are expected to attend, including UWA staff, world record holders Jacob Kiplimo, Halimah Nakaayi, and Winny Nayondo, as well as members of the general public.

The event aims to raise funds for the education of the children of fallen rangers who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting Uganda’s wildlife and natural resources.

“We are honoured to remember and support our fallen colleagues and their families,” Rogers said.

By Regina Lalam Olal