The Ugandan government has appointed the current world 5KM, 10,000M and 5000M record holder, Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei as tourism ambassador for the east African nation.
The tourism sector is a major driver of employment, investment and foreign exchange, contributing 4.9 trillion Ugandan shillings (US$1.88 billion or €1.4 billion as of August 2013) to Uganda’s GDP in the financial year 2012-13.
Given that rich background, the tourism industry is a treasure and jealously guarded.
The latest appointment of athletics star Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei, the current world 5KM, 10,000M and 5000M record holder is clear justification that the Government of Uganda through the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is keen on promoting destination Uganda beyond the boarder-line of the country that was christened as the “Pearl of Africa” by Sir Winston ChurchHill.
Churchill made the remarks in his popularized book which he wrote down in the 1908”My African Journey’ as he talked of the magnificence, color, life, birds, reptiles, insects, beasts, mammals, and vegetations.
Uganda Tourism Board officially named Cheptegei as the ambassador for a year long tenure during a well-attended event held on the terraces of the famous 19th hole at the historic Uganda Golf Course in Kampala on Wednesday, 10th February 2021.
The event was graced by the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Retired Colonel Tom Butime, Chairman Board of Directors Eddie Kirya, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Uganda Tourism Board Lilly Ajarova and a bee hive of journalists across the board.
In his humble acceptance speech, Cheptegei expressed gratitude upon the latest appointment.
I am humbled by this huge responsibility of being appointed as ambassador of Uganda Tourism. I accept it with humility. More and more Ugandans will be praying for me to win. Every win is not just for me but for every Ugandan. I was born and raised in the mountainous areas. I look forward to sharing my Ugandan story to the world.
