By Swift Reporter
Kidepo Valley National Park has won Uganda’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge for the fourth consecutive year after rangers from across the country competed in a gruelling 21-kilometre race at Murchison Falls National Park on Saturday.
Kidepo retained the title after teams from several protected areas took part in the endurance challenge, which is designed to test the physical strength, resilience and teamwork required in frontline wildlife conservation.
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve finished second in its first participation in the challenge, while Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary took third place in the men’s category. Queen Elizabeth National Park finished third in the women’s category.
The race required male participants to carry 20 kilogrammes of posho, while female participants carried 10 kilogrammes over the 21-kilometre course.
The heavy loads were intended to symbolise the physical demands faced by wildlife rangers during patrols and other conservation duties in Uganda’s protected areas.
The annual challenge was organised with support from the Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF), with the European Union, Marasa, Nile Breweries and other conservation and private-sector partners joining the event.
Kidepo’s latest victory extends a winning streak that dates back to 2023. The park had also emerged as the leading Ugandan team in previous editions of the challenge, making Saturday’s result its fourth consecutive victory.
The 2026 competition was held as part of the wider Wildlife Ranger Challenge, an annual campaign that brings together ranger teams across Africa to highlight the work of people protecting wildlife and natural habitats.
The international challenge was scheduled for September 19, with more than 200 ranger teams from 24 African countries taking part in the 2026 edition.
In Uganda, the race brought together teams representing several national parks and wildlife areas. Ahead of the competition, Kidepo was seeking a fourth consecutive title after victories in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
The challenge goes beyond competition, using the race to draw attention to the difficult conditions under which rangers work to protect Uganda’s wildlife.
The Wildlife Ranger Challenge was launched in 2020 and has since developed into a continental campaign supporting ranger welfare, training, equipment and frontline conservation efforts.
The Uganda Conservation Foundation has worked with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and ranger teams in several protected areas, including Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth national parks.
The organisation says the challenge provides an opportunity to recognise the contribution of rangers and mobilise wider support for their work.
Kidepo’s fourth consecutive victory places the park once again at the centre of Uganda’s annual celebration of wildlife rangers, while Pian Upe’s second-place finish marks a notable debut for the reserve in the competition.
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