The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has partnered with Uganda’s long-distance runner Joshua Cheptegei to promote tourism and conserve biodiversity in the Elgon region.
Cheptegei is the current world record holder for the 5000 metres and the 10,000 meters, and holds the world’s best time over the 15 kilometres distance. He is the reigning Olympic champion in the 5000 metres and the reigning three-time World champion in the 10,000-meter distances. He is the tenth man in history to hold 5000 metres and 10,000 metres world records concurrently. Elsie Attafuah, the UNDP Resident Representative for Uganda says that UNDP intends to leverage the Cheptegei brand to amplify conservation efforts in climate action and preserve the Elgon region while creating new opportunities for youth and women. She added that mountain and valley tourism in the area has a lot of potential which remains largely untapped.
Attafuah says that sports activities, especially marathons, play an instrumental role in promoting tourism worldwide and that Uganda has immense potential in this aspect, and its tourism sector will thrive once this avenue is fully exploited. On the basis of this, she adds, the partnership will include the establishment of the UNDP-Elgon half marathon as its flagship activity.
She was speaking during the partnership announcement at the National Forestry Authority (NFA) in Kampala.
During the same event, Cheptegei said that the UNDP-Elgon marathon is a call to address the challenges facing Mother Earth, which threaten mankind’s existence. He added that it will increase awareness of biodiversity protection, restoration, and cultural reawakening in the region.
In this partnership bridging the world of sports and conservation, Chepetegei said that the marathon would showcase Uganda to the world and attract global participation in line with the essence of tourism.
NFA Executive Director Tom Obong Okello says the marathon is an opportunity to introduce tree species that are pest, disease, and weather-resistant to the region a project that has been slowly gaining momentum.
Considering that Uganda’s tourism heavily relies on the environment, Obong observed a need for conserving biodiversity in order to serve its dual role for the Ugandan community.
The inaugural UNDP-Elgon marathon is scheduled to take place on October 28, 2023, in Mbale city, as a platform to showcase Uganda’s natural beauty in the Elgon region and contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future.
