WEST NILE TO HOST FIRST-EVER INTERNATIONAL CYCLING RACE TO BOOSTING TOURISM, COMMUNITY GROWTH

Dignitaries and officials launching the event at Le Tsuba Grand Hotel in Arua City (All photos by Onzoma Albert)

By Onzoma Albert

Arua City

The first edition of Race the Nile Uganda Ultra West Nile 2026, an international self-supported ultra-gravel cycling race, has been officially launched and scheduled from 23rd to 27th November 2026.

The regional launch event took place at Le Tsuba Grand Hotel in Arua City, where stakeholders were introduced to the race program, participation opportunities, potential partnerships, and a call for collective efforts to ensure the success of this landmark international event in the region.

This five-day, approximately 800 km race will traverse the scenic landscapes of the West Nile sub-region.

The route passes through Arua City, Maracha, Koboko, Yumbe, Moyo, Adjumani, Obongi, Terego, Madi Okollo, Pakwach, Nebbi, and Zombo, highlighting the region’s rich tourism attractions, diverse cultures, the River Nile corridor, and unique wilderness experiences before returning to Arua City via Vurra-Arua District.

Lillian Jerova, Senior Presidential Advisor on Tourism and the key organizer of the event, emphasized the West Nile sub-region’s potential and readiness to host the country’s first tourism bike race, stating that the event positions West Nile as Uganda’s next premier destination for sports and adventure tourism.

“Why did we choose to come to West Nile because West Nile is Uganda’s raw, undiscovered frontier and the region most travelers have never reached which is exactly why West Nile is extra-ordinary, so for that matter at this point West Nile stands to be an extra-ordinary destination because we are raw, undiscovered by the world, however let us show the world what we have” she said.

Security preparations are in place, with SSP Latif Zake, Regional Police Commander for West Nile, pledging police and sister security agencies’ full commitment to safeguarding tourists and participants throughout the event.

“The security and success of this internal event however require our collective responsibility because all of us here are stakeholders, my fellow colleagues in the security circle we want to pledge that we are set to secure this internal event, our presence will secure a rapid response and we are every cyclist and tourist that West Nile is a secure destination” he said.

West Nile Cyclists Club members in attendance with other invited guests during the launch of the event in Arua City

Daniel Erima, Communications Officer of West Nile Cyclists Club, noted that the race will place West Nile on the global adventure tourism map, attracting cyclists and enthusiasts worldwide.

“This is very big opportunity for West Nile not only for cycling but for tourism, hospitality, entertainment and culture, as the people of West Nile we should not look at local markets alone but we should make an international appeal by bringing the attention of the world on this amazing region called West Nile” he said.

Participants will be self-supported, relying on their own efforts without escort vehicles, but will engage with and receive support from local communities along the route.

The race aims to foster community development as it passes through vital areas such as Zoka Forest, Ajai Wildlife Reserve, and the Rift Valley. It is planned as an annual November event, designed to benefit local residents and the business community, ultimately enhancing the region’s tourism profile and economic growth.