Race the Nile Uganda Ultra cycling expedition set for November

This November, Ugandan cyclists and riders from around the globe will embark on an epic adventure, taking on the inaugural 800 km self-supported gravel race through Uganda's wild West Nile in the Race the Nile Uganda Ultra cycling competition.

The cycling expedition will spotlight West Nile, transforming it into a must-visit hub for community-based tourism.

Adventurers will launch their journey in Arua, the region's vibrant heart, and pedal through wild, untouched terrain, winding through all of West Nile's 13 districts. It is a self-supported extreme sport event, meaning the riders will be on their own to take care of themselves.

The course is predominantly gravel and dirt, with only about 3 per cent paved roads. Riders will encounter rough surfaces, remote sections, rolling hills, sustained climbs, and constantly changing conditions.

Senior Presidential Advisor on Tourism in Uganda Lillian Ajarova (seated 2nd-left) and the other guests 'cycle' during the launch of the the Race the Nile Uganda Ultra cycling competition at Sheraton Hotel, August 24, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The overall winner will have the unique chance to name a rare white rhino at Ajai Wildlife Reserve, while the rest will receive medals.

Speaking during the launch at the Sheraton Hotel on Monday, Senior Presidential Advisor on Tourism in Uganda Lillian Ajarova said they had already planned the entire route and had consulted with experienced cyclists twice.

"Everything is set: the distance is 800 km. We've gathered most of the required information about places to stay, the various towns, cities, market areas, and villages. We're sharing this with the cyclists and racers so they can figure out how to plan their five days to cover the 800 km," Ajarova said.

She noted that each participant will need to make their own plan for completing the course over the five days.

Ajarova described West Nile as a melting pot of ethnicities and a haven for diverse cultures, home to various tribes with rich cultural heritage and distinctive culinary traditions found nowhere else on earth. "While West Nile is frequently overlooked as a tourist spot, it provides an unparalleled and genuine taste of Uganda.

In fact, it's Uganda's hidden gem, just waiting to be explored," she stated. She added that the race is deliberately designed to benefit the communities along the route, emphasizing that it is not solely about the scenery and wildlife but also about the people and local inhabitants.

Ajarova revealed that she conceived the idea with two former schoolmates from Austria and Spain, who have already managed to get Race the Nile listed on major international cycling websites.

The launch was attended by several cycling club representatives and other dignitaries, including Uganda Tourism Association's Yogi Birigwa, Sheraton's Managing Director Jean-Philippe Bittencourt, Peter Ssebulime from the National Tourism Events Organisers Federation, Joseph Muhereza and Scovia Musiimenta from UWA, UCA president Mahaba Muwonge, and Johnnie Kamugisha, among others.

The event is sponsored by the Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Aquafina, West Nile Cyclists Club, UZA, Arua City, and the Sheraton Hotel.