On September 20, 2025, a historic milestone unfolded at Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda, as Focused Conservation proudly took part in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge (WRC)—an endurance event that unites ranger teams from across Africa in a powerful demonstration of strength, solidarity, and commitment to conservation. Since its launch in 2020, the Challenge has become a flagship annual event, bringing together rangers from dozens of countries to test their skills, endurance, and teamwork through a series of mental and physical challenges culminating in a demanding multi-nation half-marathon across some of Africa’s most remote and breathtaking landscapes. Organized by Tusk and the Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA), the WRC has already raised more than $21 million to support rangers on the front lines of wildlife protection.
Focused Conservation was proud to be part of this milestone moment. Alongside our partners at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), we sponsored the Queen Elizabeth National Park ranger teams. Their hard work paid off—the men’s team earned a 2nd-place finish, while the women’s team placed 3rd in their category. Both delivered outstanding performances that underscored the resilience and determination of Uganda’s rangers.
But our role in this year’s Challenge went further than sponsorship. At Focused Conservation, we believe supporting rangers means sharing in their struggles and standing shoulder-to-shoulder on the front lines. That spirit came alive when our own Marty Young, Technical Advisor in Uganda, joined the race as part of “Team Focused & United”. Marty ran alongside teammates Charles Tumwesigya (UWA), Alejandra Euceda (UNODC), Timothy Bacwa (UNODC), and Simon Ssemuko (Focused Conservation).
Reflecting on the experience, Marty shared:
“This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience—running through the heart of Murchison Falls, cheered on by rangers and dignitaries, surrounded by the very wildlife we are all working to protect.”
The race was not without unforgettable moments. As the starting horn sounded, the team was greeted by a pack of hyenas as well as the roar of lions, a vivid reminder that these are the same landscapes rangers patrol daily to safeguard both wildlife and communities.
What the Wildlife Ranger Challenge Represents
The Wildlife Ranger Challenge is more than a race. It’s a movement.
This year, over 170 ranger teams from 24 African countries took on the grueling 21-kilometer course, carrying weighted packs to mirror the demands of real patrols. The event raised global awareness of the critical work rangers do and mobilized funds for ranger welfare, training, and equipment.
The event also drew an esteemed audience of dignitaries and conservation leaders, including Uganda Wildlife Authority Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi and senior UWA management, the British High Commissioner, UBC Deputy Managing Director Maurice Mugisha and his wife Irene Birungi Mugisha, CEO of the Presidential CEO Forum, along with several other heads of public and private institutions, diplomats, and international conservation partners—all standing in solidarity with Africa’s rangers and the vital work they do.
Rangers are often under-resourced and overlooked, yet they are the guardians of Africa’s most threatened wildlife. They face poachers, harsh terrain, and immense personal sacrifice. Events like the WRC shine a spotlight on their courage and remind the world why investing in ranger welfare is essential for the future of conservation.
Our Commitment: Side by Side With Rangers
For Focused Conservation, this event captured what makes us unique. We don’t just advise from a distance—we share in the blood, sweat, and tears of the rangers we support. By running alongside them, we honor their work, understand their challenges more deeply, and reaffirm our role as true partners in protecting Africa’s wildlife.
As we celebrate the incredible performances of the Queen Elizabeth National Park teams, we also recognize every ranger who ran, every sponsor who supported, and every voice that cheered them on. Together, we are building a future where rangers have the tools, recognition, and strength they need to keep wildlife safe.
