Cyclists on inaugural ‘Tour d’EAC’ to reach Kigali today

A group of 14 adventurous cyclists on a racing tour of the East African Community region will reach Kigali from Bujumbura, Burundi today. The trip, dubbed ‘Tour D’ EAC’, started from Ugandan capital, Kampala on July 1, as the team set out on a two-month tour of the five EAC partner States, on a mission to sensitise ordinary East Africans about the regional integration process. The cyclists embarked on the trip without sponsorship and do not spend the night in hotels but in public places, including police stations, schools, churches and camps. They also prepare their own meals as they endeavour to spend time with communities while educating and informing them about the integration process. According to the EAC Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs department, Richard Othieno Owora, the team arrived at the Department of East African Integration headquarters in Nairobi on July 8, and then headed to Arusha via Namanga after several stopovers, including in Kajiabo. On the morning of August 11, they were flagged off for another leg of their long journey from the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania by the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Charles Njoroge. From Arusha, the team’s destination was Bujumbura, Burundi where they reached on Sunday, August 21 before they set off for Kigali and are expected to arrive in the Rwandan capital Kigali today. From Kigali, on Saturday the team will head to Uganda through Kabale, Mbarara, Masaka in Western Uganda before arriving at the Sudanese Embassy in Kampala on August 31. The grand finale of the tour with closing/awards ceremony will be held in Kampala on September 1. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Cyclists on inaugural ‘Tour d’EAC’ to reach Kigali today