MTB Trail Building in Rural Uganda

Anyone donating $100 or more will receive a custom photo book from the trip! I will feature the places, faces, and wildlife that make this region so special.

Also there will be a custom gift for anyone giving at the $50 level that will handmade from the Tepeth people in Uganda, stay tuned. 

Estimated delivery date: December 2018.

About the Project:

The Karamoja region of Uganda is one of the most undeveloped, wild, and naturally beautiful places in Africa. It is one of the few places that is still yet to be spoiled by overdevelopment and tourism. With Kidepo National Park and Mount Moroto as part of the region, people have a chance to see classic African Scenery and wildlife in a safe and friendly atmosphere.

On Mount Moroto live the Tepeth people. These people still live a very traditional life in small villages on the hillside. With the world becoming smaller by the day, the Tepeth have a chance to connect with the world—but empowering them to be self-sufficient can be a challenge in a world of mega-corporations and greed.

Read this article for more info on what these people have endured 

Our goal is to help empower these people by building an infrastructure around Mountain Biking.  Since Mount Moroto has massive terrain, the opportunity to build a world-class trail network has the potential to create a tourism economy that puts the locals in charge.

The area has support from Paul Sherwen, most famous for his status as the Tour De France announcer. Next month he will be part of the Tour of Karamoja, a bike event designed to help bring awareness (and fun on bikes) to the region.  Everyone is welcome to take part in this event, find more information here. 


The Plan:

Our plan is to spend 5 weeks mapping out the landscape and teaching the locals how to build a trail network. We will spend our time connecting with the people, finding out the best locations, where to avoid, and getting them excited on the idea of building trails to welcome the world to their villages.

This will be different from other bike facilities in the world in that the locals will take ownership of the trails. Tour companies wishing to visit the area will be required to pay a trail fee which will go directly to the locals. 

We truly believe that the sport of mountain biking has the ability to create a new economy in the region, one where the locals are in charge of the outcome and can make a good living doing so.

The story will be captured on camera as well, with hopes of inspiring the world with a positive story on cooperation between cultures to help learn about how tourism can impact the world through different cultures interacting. 


The Money

Money raised will go to cover travel costs and expenses while away. Any extra money will go to a trail fund that can help pay the people who work on the trails, as well as purchase camera equipment that can help tell this unique story to the world.