West Nile prepares for five-day cycling race across 13 districts

What the report says

West Nile is preparing for its first major long-distance cycling event, the Race The Nile Uganda Ultra, a five-day gravel race scheduled for November 23 to 27, 2026. The Independent Uganda, citing URN, reports that the 800-kilometre route will run through all 13 districts of the region, beginning and ending in Arua City. Organisers say the event is intended to promote tourism, highlight local attractions and create business opportunities for communities along the course.

The race is expected to attract 50 participants, including international cyclists, and organisers say 14 foreign riders had registered at the time of publication. The route is designed as a self-supported challenge, meaning riders will need to buy food, arrange accommodation and seek other services from local businesses along the way. The itinerary takes cyclists from Arua through Koboko and Yumbe, then on to Moyo, Obongi and across the River Nile into Adjumani, before continuing through Madi-Okollo, Pakwach, Nebbi and Zombo.

Arua City tourism officials and the West Nile Cyclists Club are encouraging residents and businesses to prepare for the expected visitor flow. Organisers say the race is now part of the national tourism calendar and could become an annual event. They also say it will help expose infrastructure and service delivery gaps in the region while supporting community development and environmental restoration efforts.

The event includes an unusual prize: the winner will get the chance to name one of the white rhinos recently reintroduced at Ajai Wildlife Reserve in Madi-Okollo District, in a process coordinated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.