WEST NILE GETS READY TO HOST “RACE THE NILE ULTRA” TOURISM BONANZA

Fred Wathum, the Arua city tourism officer emphasizing a point during a planning meeting.

By Sunday Amandi

Arua city

The communities in West Nile are encouraged to prepare for the business opportunities that will be brought by the big tourism event dubbed “race the Nile” in which local and International cyclists will cover the entire region on their bicycles, as preparations for the tourism bonanza are at advanced stage.

Race the Nile Ultra, which is regarded as the biggest tourism event ever to take place in West Nile will commence in Arua city on the 23^rd of November 2026, with four different check points in Yumbe, Adjumani, Ajai, and Angal center before reaching the stopping point in Arua.

Fred Wathum, the tourism officer for Arua city says, this is a big opportunity for the local population in one way or the other, urging them to prepare adequately.

“There are going to be other engaging activities that will need our people to join to popularize our tourism attractions, people who are coming from other parts of the world, it would not be exciting for them to go alone to those sights, we have our tour operators, they need to be transported, we have people who do crafts here, maybe we need to do some display of our cultures in terms of our heritage, so that we give a picture of the region to the people who are coming from elsewhere, ” Wathum said.

Daniel Erima, a member of the West Nile cyclists club confirms that, all is set for the event with many local, National and International participants registered,

“We have been preparing for this for close to a year, members of our team have gone back for many other trips to re-assess the route to make sure it is perfect for the race in terms of whatever is required for a race of this magnitude, we currently have about 14 International cyclists that have registered to come and participate in this race from Europe and across the Americas, we have over 20 Ugandans who have proudly registered to participate in this event, “Daniel confirmed.

Michael Adriko, the captain and road architect for the race says, they will need a lot from the local community and this will be a great opportunity to market the local products.

“We are coming in numbers please prepare, give us what you can offer, and you will get back from us,”Michael said.

The winner of the cycling race will be awarded with naming of one of the Rhinos at Ajai game reserve in Madi Okollo district.

Apart from the race, there will be a number of other tourism activities including hiking of mountain Wati in Terego district, visiting Alikua pyramids and Miriadua falls in Maracha district and many other tourist destinations and the locals are expected to sale the heritage of the region.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis