Official welcome · Inaugural edition
A race for opportunity.
A race for education.
Dear everyone,
Welcome to the EDU-TOURISM INAUGURAL RUN 2026. Divine International University (DIU) is set to host the inaugural DIU Edu-Tourism Run on 07 November, 2026 in Fort Portal City. This is an initiative aimed at raising funds to provide scholarships for disadvantaged girls interested in pursuing studies and careers in tourism and hospitality.
The Run — categorized in 5km, 10km, and 21km — will start from the compound of DIU and finish at Nyonyi Gardens located on River Mpanga. The run brings together people interested in education, tourism, health, community development and social responsibility under the theme: “Educate a Girl, Empower, Transform the Future.”
The initiative seeks to mobilise communities, students, tourism stakeholders, corporate organisations, government agencies, development partners, and members of the public to support talented but financially disadvantaged girls to access quality education and build careers in one of Uganda’s most promising economic sectors.
Because it is located in Fortportal Tourism City, Tourism and Conservation is Divine International University’s flagship academic programme, reflecting the University’s commitment to developing a skilled workforce capable of driving Uganda’s tourism and hospitality industry forward.
Uganda’s tourism sector plays a critical role in the country’s economic development through employment creation, foreign exchange earnings, investment, conservation and the growth of local enterprises. From the mountains and crater lakes of the Rwenzori region to national parks, cultural heritage sites and the country’s rich biodiversity, Uganda has enormous tourism potential in this region. However, unlocking this potential requires a well-trained, innovative and professional workforce.
The Divine Edu-Tourism Run is therefore designed not only as a fundraising event, but also as a platform to promote tourism education and inspire young people to view tourism and hospitality as viable careers and pathways to entrepreneurship. The Divine Edu-Tourism Run contains much more; it is a race for opportunity, a race for education and a race towards a stronger tourism industry. By supporting a girl’s education today, we are investing in a professional, empowered and economically productive generation tomorrow.
This initiative will also shine a spotlight on Fortportal City and the wider Tooro region as an important tourism destination, leveraging the area's natural beauty, cultural heritage, hospitality facilities and proximity to major attractions to promote domestic and international tourism.
We call upon corporates, tourism operators, government institutions, development partners, education stakeholders, financial institutions, media, students and the general public to participate in and support the run through sponsorships, registration and donations. As we stated earlier, the funds raised will go towards scholarships for disadvantaged girls pursuing tourism and hospitality education; helping to remove financial barriers while creating opportunities for them to acquire skills that can contribute to Uganda’s economic progress.
DIU believes that education and tourism can work hand in hand to transform communities and, through the Edu-Tourism Run, seeks to create a lasting platform that connects education, tourism promotion, youth empowerment and social impact.
We wish to register our heartfelt gratitude to Tambura Vizuri Travels Ltd, our Official Sponsor. We thank the Management of National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) for coming through as a valued Partner, working with us towards a successful Edu-Tourism Run.
We welcome all of you to the inaugural Edu-Tourism Run, 2026 and to the Fortportal Tourism City. Thank you.