The National Tourism Events Organizers Federation (NTEOF) has extended its congratulations to Dr. Lilly Ajarova, Senior Presidential Advisor on Tourism, following the launch of Race the Nile Uganda Ultra. In a post shared on X, the federation praised the initiative as a bold step toward unlocking new tourism potential for the West Nile region.
Race the Nile Uganda Ultra route (in red) that will cover a total distance of approximately 800km through the West Nile Region. (Credit: Race the NIle Uganda Ultra)
Race the Nile Uganda Ultra is a five-day, 800km cycling race stretching from Arua City through the districts of West Nile and back. Recently launched, the event is set to hold its first edition this November, with organizers positioning it as an annual fixture on Uganda's tourism and sports calendar.
NTEOF, which brings together leading tourism event organizers including Race the Nile Uganda Ultra and Alur Cultural Festival to champion tourism, culture and sports across the country, was quick to throw its weight behind the race.
Race the Nile Uganda Ultra is a member of National Tourism Events Organizers Federation (NTEOF)
The federation described Race the Nile Uganda Ultra as exactly the kind of high-impact, forward-thinking event the country needs, signaling that its support goes beyond words.
"This is exactly the kind of innovative, high-impact event Uganda needs, and we look forward to offering our full support," NTEOF stated in their post.
That endorsement lines up with what Race the Nile Uganda Ultra hopes to achieve—not just a race, but a platform to showcase West Nile's culture, wildlife and communities to the world. With no accommodation, meals or logistics arranged for participants, the event by design channels opportunity directly into local hands, exactly the kind of grassroots impact NTEOF's support seeks to amplify.
Part of the race's route winds past treasures like the Ajai Wildlife Reserve, home to giraffe and zebra species found nowhere in the neighboring Queen Elizabeth National Park.
It was this kind of hidden richness that Dr. Lilly Ajarova had in mind when she praised West Nile as Uganda's best-kept secret while speaking at the launch, a region long overlooked but now stepping into the spotlight.
"West Nile is often overlooked, and yet we have the unique and authentic Ugandan experience. It is Uganda—I want to repeat this—West Nile is Uganda's best-kept secret, awaiting to be explored. And the time is now!" the former Uganda Tourism Board boss praised.
Dr. Lilly Ajarova, Presidential Advisor on Tourism Speaking at the launch of Race the Nile Uganda Ultra at Le Tsuba Grand Hotel in Arua City. (Credit: Boniface Amaku)
If nurtured the way the Tour de France or Tour du Rwanda have come to define France and Rwanda on the global stage, Race the Nile Uganda Ultra could become Uganda's only extreme sports flagship racing event, annually reminding the rest of the nation and the world that West Nile region is not on the sidelines, but very much part of Uganda's story.
