The Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF), together with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and a coalition of tourism, conservation, government and private-sector players, has launched Uganda’s 2026 Wildlife Ranger Challenge (WRC), a gruelling 21km race through Murchison Falls National Park celebrating the men and women on the frontline of wildlife conservation.
On Saturday, 19 September, four-person ranger teams will set off at sunrise from Pakuba Airstrip, racing 21km to the Nile Delta while each carrying a 22kg pack, reflecting the loads rangers routinely carry-on extended field patrols.
Teams from Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, Bwindi and Kidepo Valley National Parks, together with Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, community scout units and invited corporate and diplomatic teams, will take part in Uganda’s flagship event.
At the same time, more than 200 ranger teams across 24 African countries will undertake the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, creating a continent-wide demonstration of solidarity with the people protecting Africa’s wildlife and wild places.
All eyes will be on the formidable team from Kidepo Valley National Park.
Kidepo’s rangers have won Uganda’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge for three consecutive years 2023, 2024 and 2025, and will arrive in Murchison Falls seeking an unprecedented fourth title.
The other parks have different plans.
Beyond the competition, however, the Challenge has a serious purpose.
Established in 2020, when COVID-19 devastated tourism revenues supporting protected areas across Africa, the Wildlife Ranger Challenge has grown into an international campaign supporting ranger welfare, equipment, training and frontline conservation.
For UCF, which has worked alongside UWA and Uganda’s rangers for nearly three decades, the event is also an opportunity to bring the frontline of conservation together with the people and institutions whose decisions, investment and support can strengthen Uganda’s protected areas.
The Murchison Falls event will bring rangers together with leaders from Uganda’s tourism industry, government ministries and agencies, the Uganda Tourism Board, diplomatic missions, conservation organisations and the private sector, including members of the Presidential CEO Forum.
“Every kilometre these rangers run represents the extraordinary physical demands they face in protecting Uganda’s wildlife and protected areas. The Challenge gives all of us, government, tourism, business, conservation partners and the public an opportunity to stand behind them and recognise what they do for Uganda every day.” Michael Keigwin MBE, Founder Trustee, Uganda Conservation Foundation
The Wildlife Ranger Challenge is organised internationally by Tusk and the Game Rangers Association of Africa, with HRH Prince William, Prince of Wales, as Patron.
UCF coordinates the Uganda hub in partnership with UWA and a growing coalition of Ugandan businesses, tourism operators, conservation organisations and supporters. Companies and individuals can support the 2026 Challenge by sponsoring ranger teams, community scout teams, equipment, fuel and other costs associated with the event and frontline ranger welfare.