Pallisa district will on Saturday welcome the first-ever cycling race in the Bukedi region in the Eastern region of the country.

The Uganda Cycling Association-sanctioned George William Owaraga Memorial Race is organised in memory of the former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Works and the former president of the Rotary Club of Entebbe.

Owaraga who passed away on November 1, was one of the first engineers in the country

“This is going to be the first event of that nature in the region and it is going to attract other elite riders from Kampala that will be joined by the local riders from the whole of the Eastern Region,” Silver Owaraga, a family member said.

Some of the medals that will awarded to the cyclists. Courtesy Photo

The former resident of Entebbe and parishioner of St. Johns Church, Entebbe, and the chief of the Teso clan of Ikaribwok Isekielio, died at the age of 90.

Some of the elite riders that are going to ride in his memory include Aziz Sempijja, Paul Lomuria, Shafik Mugalu, Lawrence Lorot, Arnold Kaala, Gerald Mayinja, David Matovu, Julius Yama, Bosco Lukeedo, Kevin Nakato and Erukan Muwonge.

The National Council of Sports and the Uganda Police have already cleared the race with the only caution to the organisers being adhering to of standard operating procedures to mitigate against the COVID-19 pandemic and Ebola.