Vision
A united, peaceful, prosperous and sustainable East Africa connected through people, communities and shared opportunities.
About GACS
A regional platform for the promotion of the deepening of East African integration for improved livelihoods of East African citizens.
Who we are
The GACS – EAC Bicycle Tour is a regional cycling and advocacy expedition organized by GACS Cycling Africa, a not-for-profit organization registered in Uganda and headquartered in Bukoto, Kampala.
Building on a legacy of long-distance African and international cycling expeditions, GACS serves as a platform for advancing East African Community integration by bringing together citizens, institutions, governments, development partners, and the private sector through a shared cycling journey across the region. It promotes peace and security, regional trade, tourism, environmental sustainability, public health awareness, food and water security, youth empowerment, and people-to-people engagement.
Founded on the belief that people-to-people connections are essential for regional development, GACS brings together citizens, governments, development partners, private sector actors, researchers, innovators, and community organizations through a shared journey that transcends borders and unites communities.
Our mandate
A united, peaceful, prosperous and sustainable East Africa connected through people, communities and shared opportunities.
To promote East African integration, sustainable development, tourism, and citizen engagement through cycling and community action.
GACS exists to transform regional integration from a policy concept into a lived experience by connecting communities, institutions, and stakeholders through a shared journey that promotes cooperation, understanding, and sustainable development.
Town squares become festivals when the caravan arrives — music, flags, and young people dreaming beyond the horizon.
Evolution
Since 2023, the GACS Tour has adopted a dual-focus model where community action stands equal in scope to the cycling component — transforming GACS into a sustainable movement where the ride connects people, ideas, and actions for a more peaceful and prosperous East Africa.
Evolution of GACS
While the initial tours were primarily cycling-based, it became clear to GACS leadership that the event's growing visibility locally, nationally, and regionally positions it uniquely to spotlight the challenges and opportunities within the rural communities it passes through.
A long-distance cycling expedition that appeals to regional and global cycling communities, promoting eco-tourism, East African integration, and cross-border tourism.
Non-cycling community programs and awareness activities in host locations, including public–private dialogues, community surveys, food security actions, peace-building workshops, school and community engagements, environmental restoration, health awareness, water and WASH, and youth empowerment — strengthening regional cooperation and contributing directly to the Sustainable Development Goals.
To date, this second focus stands equal in scope to the cycling component, marking GACS's transformation into a sustainable cycling movement where the ride becomes the link connecting people, ideas, and actions for a more peaceful, prosperous, and water-secure East Africa.
Our journey
Since its inception, GACS has continuously evolved in response to regional priorities and emerging opportunities.
The initiative began primarily as a long-distance cycling expedition aimed at promoting and fast-tracking the East African integration process.
As the visibility and impact of the tour grew, GACS evolved beyond cycling into a regional platform for community engagement, school outreach, environmental restoration, healthy lifestyle promotion, health security and pandemic awareness, tourism promotion, environmental conservation, regional integration, and advocacy on key East African development priorities.
The next phase positions GACS as a permanent regional platform supporting East African integration, sustainable development, peacebuilding, tourism promotion, climate action, youth empowerment, food security, public health awareness, and cross-border cooperation.
Today
A continental storytelling platform that showcases African cultures, landscapes, innovations, and community experiences through cross-border cycling.
A regional community engagement mechanism that connects governments, schools, border communities, youth, and women in support of the East African integration agenda.
A bridge between Africa and Europe, fostering collaboration in sustainable development, research, innovation, tourism, and knowledge exchange.
A gateway for global partnerships, linking African communities with international institutions, investors, researchers, and development organizations.
Reach
GACS is designed as a pan-African initiative with an initial focus on the East African Community and neighboring regions. Future editions may expand to other parts of Africa while maintaining the principles of regional integration and sustainable development.
Documents
Create your expedition account or sign in to continue your Tour 2026 registration.
