American actor and singer Tyrese Gibson arrived in Uganda on Tuesday morning ahead of his performance at the second edition of the Africa Coffee Marathon.
Gibson landed at Entebbe International Airport, where Talent Africa Group Chief Executive Officer Aly Allibhai received him.
Talent Africa Group is handling the show. Uganda Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Juliana Kagwa was also at the airport to welcome him, underlining the event’s connection to Uganda’s tourism promotion efforts.
Gibson is expected to headline the Coffee Marathon, which is scheduled for October in Ntungamo district. The event is organised by Inspire Coffee Group, founded by Nelson Tugume, as part of efforts to promote Uganda’s coffee sector beyond the local market.
This year’s edition will be held under the theme, “Empowering the IK Community of Karamoja through Coffee Farming to End Poverty.”
Organisers say the event will use coffee, sport and entertainment to draw attention to farming communities and the role coffee can play in improving livelihoods. Gibson’s arrival is likely to increase interest in the marathon because of his international profile.
He is widely known for his role in the Fast & Furious film franchise and for his R&B music career.
His visit also comes after organisers linked the event to other global personalities, including United States footballer Tim Weah, the son of former Liberian president George Weah.
The first edition of the marathon was headlined by Tanzanian singer Diamond Platnumz. This year’s edition appears to be pushing for even wider international attention, with Gibson now confirmed in Uganda.
With the Hollywood star already in the country, focus now shifts to the activities planned around the Coffee Marathon and how organisers will use the event to market Uganda’s coffee, tourism and farming communities.
