Renowned British sports commentator, TV presenter and freelance reporter, Rob Walker, is in Uganda.
Speaking at the Uganda Media Center, Walker who last visited Uganda in 2017, said he is excited not only to reacquaint himself with familiar places but discover some new areas of the country.
Walker noted that from the very first time he came to Uganda in 2005, he found it to be the friendliest place he has ever been to.
“It’s a fantastic place and now you are in a very strong position because of the performance of Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei,” he noted, adding: “I want to go running as well not as fast as Joshua or Jacob, but I am going to go out running.”
He said that there is a bigger picture wider than just tourism or sport like an opportunity to continue changing the way certain people view the African content.
Walker further noted that Uganda was a place of immensely friendly people with beautiful countryside with young men and women who are going to be the flower of the Pearl of Africa.
“The more we can open people’s eyes to what a special place this is – on equal terms with many other places around the world. The more we can do that, the sooner we can spread the word that Uganda is a hot topic of conversation,” Walker noted.
Speaking at the same press conference, Martin Mugarra, the State Minister for Tourism, thanked Mr Walker for appreciating the country through his glorious commentaries especially during the 2018 Olympics in Japan when he appreciated the country’s beauty and its loving people.
He quotes Walker saying “Uganda is one of the friendliest, most beautiful countries you can ever wish to visit. I know down in Kampala, people are going to be sipping on Nile Special”.
In her remarks, Lilly Ajarova, the Uganda Tourism Board CEO, pointed out that sports and tourism were complementary areas of interest to the country.
She emphasized how Uganda is the richest country in Africa if not the world hence being christened as the Pearl of Africa.
Ajarova highlighted that Robert Walker’s visit is significant and would add value to the marketing efforts of the country.
She noted that Sports tourism attracts participants or spectators in various kinds of sports events which can result in tourism in the long run.
Rob Walker appreciated the invite and opportunity to come back to Uganda as he is excited not only to reacquaint himself with familiar places but also to discover some new areas of the country as well.