Experienced sports broadcaster Rob boldly “Walks” to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa

British sports commentator, television presenter and freelance reporter Robert Joseph Walker has seen it in his elusive career that spans to now 23 years.

He has covered sports including tennis, snooker, darts, boxing, football, sailing, and athletics for the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Setanta Sports and the IAAF.

Walker is currently on a special visit to Uganda, a country that christened as the “Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill in his popularized book which he wrote down in the 1908 “My African Journey”.

His visit to Uganda was facilitated by the Government of Uganda through the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), an endeavor to appreciate the “good deeds” especially when he commentates athletes as promotes Uganda.

In Uganda, he has already interacted with the media at the Uganda Media Centre, shared his life story with sports journalists at Mestil Hotel, met the speaker of Parliament Hon. Anita Annet Among, the president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and other important personalities in the tourism and sports sub sectors.

“Thank you for selling our beautiful country to the world in your sports commentary and coming here to enjoy our beautiful scenery. Uganda is without doubt a great place to spend your holiday.” Speaker Anita Among shared.

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.

Robert Joseph Walker, British sports commentator

He also visited the source of Nile in Jinja city and will tour a number of national parks, athletics hub in Kapchorwa as well as hold a symposium at the Makerere University Business School (MUBS).

“Our people are very welcoming, hospitable and always willing to learn. Uganda is gifted in many ways through its culture, food, languages and beautiful scenery” president Museveni said in his opening remarks at State House, Entebbe.

Lilly Ajarova, the Executive Director of Uganda Tourism Board noted that Walker’s visit will impact positively to Uganda.

“We wanted him to come and get more information so that he can continue marketing Uganda world-wide” Simplicious Gesssa, the UTB head of public relations.

For easy travel across the different parts of the country, Walker was accorded a military helicopter by the head of state.

He visited Kapchorwa, the famed home of athletes in Uganda including the prestigious High Altitude center in Tyret where he met the double world champion Joshua Cheptegei and other athletes.

“Uganda is a very beautiful country, with great hospitality and endowment” Walker noted at the national media center.

Walker tips Ugandan journalists:

During the special master class to Uganda’s sports journalists held at Kyoga hall (Mestil Hotel), Walker preached about the 6 p’s (Proper Planning and Prevention Prevents Poor Production).

“Always sound like you are smiling” he urged the attentive journalists.

He encouraged the journalists to give special attention to planning with thorough preparations.

“Read statistics for great preparations from reputable websites and books. Always talk to the pictures, do not be too clever (read the situation), make research on everybody, understand the history of events, practice reading the script written loud” he added.

Walker sipped his favorite Nile Special Beer during a meet and greet event at Fusion Bar Bugolobi in Kampala, organized by UTB in conjunction with Nile Breweries Limited.

His trademark smile flashed from ear-to-ear is evident in every selfie and general photo he is involved in.

Walker is still in Uganda for another eight days as he appreciates the friendly people, unique weather, heritage, culture, flora and fauna.

The writing is well scripted on the wall, by the time Walker seats behind the microphone for the next international event where Ugandan sportsmen are involved, the knowledge is now rich.