Uganda tourism launches cycling event

“Tourism is not only about going to the parks.

“Tourism is not only about going to the parks. There is a lot to see in and around our city, and the Kampala Adventure Cycling event will allow many people to appreciate this city,” said Uganda’s Minister for Tourism. “It is amazing that many people live here but have only seen so little.”

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Uganda’s state Minister for Tourism, Mr. Godfrey Kiwanda, has launched the second edition of the Kampala Adventure Cycling. Addressing the media while at the Uganda Tourism Board, Kiwanda said the cycling event is good for Kampala, because it allows residents and visitors to see the different parts of the city, and yet also enjoy for a good cause.

Calling upon the residents of Kampala to be part of the event, Kiwanda said he too would ride come 14 August. “There are two things I love doing, drumming and cycling. I used to cycle almost 15 kilometers to school,” he said.

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Kiwanda thanked the sponsoring Palm Travel Bureau, the tour company that developed the concept, saying it was important for government institutions to work with the private sector for the good of the city.

Stephen Asiimwe, the CEO Uganda Tourism Board said the proceeds from the event will go to the skilling of children born in Kampala’s prisons.

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“We call upon all people and visitors to Kampala to participate in the Kampala Adventure Cycling because besides tourism, it is also for a good cause,” Asiimwe said. “The proceeds will be used to give children born in prison another chance in life. We shall train and skill them as tourism guides to work in Kampala.”

Being Uganda’s capital city, Kampala attracts millions of visitors and it is hoped working as tour guides will ensure the children has a chance to a better future, and keep them off the streets Asiimwe added.

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Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) deputy director for sports, Ambrose Atwoko, said the cycling event is one of the activities that are making Kampala such a much sort after place to live.

“At KCCA, we are working towards a friendly and efficient city. The Kampala Adventure Cycling event works to make this a reality,” he said. Ambrose added that KCCA wants cycling to be the major mode of transportation in Kampala by 2030.


Kampala Adventure Cycling 2016 is to bring together families, corporate personalities as well as other well-wishers who love cycling for a day of riding through the city while sightseeing its major historical and tourism attractions. This year will feature the cycle treasure hunt where participants will be given a document with clues to a treasure chest that will include lots of prizes. The treasure hunt will involve visiting various tourism sites and answering questions about them.

Last year the event attracted 280 local riders and 20 foreign riders who participated in the 25kms and 12kms race categories. Among this year’s sponsors are: Brussels Airlines, Nakumatt, The Observer newspaper, Palm Travel Bureau, KCCA and the Uganda Tourism Board.

The Charity Cause

Part of this event is to raise awareness as well as raise funds to provide skills in tourism guiding for children aged 16-18 years born and raised in Uganda’s prisons in order to improve their lives.

Objectives of the event

• To further cement the partnership amongst the private, KCCA and UTB to promoting tourism in Kampala and Uganda.

• To highlight Kampala as a beautiful and safe tourism destination to the local and international audiences.

Event Date: August 14, 2016
Event venue: Philip Omondi Stadium – Lugogo (KCCA grounds)
Event routes: 40km, 25km and 15km
Event fees: Individuals UGX30,000, corporate companies UGX1,000,000
Registration places: all Capital Shoppers supermarket branches

About Uganda

Meeting eyes with a silverback mountain gorilla across a misty jungle, after an arduous hike through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, leaves everlasting impressions of arguably the best wildlife safari in the world.

But there’s much more to Uganda. Rich in nature, it’s an outdoor sanctuary of crater lakes, white-sand beaches on lake islands, thundering waterfalls and national parks. Visitors can cross the equator by boat slicing through Africa’s largest lake. Or climb through glaciers in the Mountains of the Moon.

“You’ll find a lush country with fewer tourists in Uganda,” says Thornton of Intrepid Travel.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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