President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on the people of Kapchorwa and the wider Sebei region to protect their natural environment while seizing the economic opportunities arising from government investment in sports and infrastructure.Speaking during his visit to Kapchorwa District, the President said the area’s natural features — its high altitude, favorable climate, and breathtaking scenery — were not mere decorations but valuable resources that must be harnessed responsibly for development.“I was happy to be in Kapchorwa, a land blessed with altitude, climate, and the scenery. These are not decorations; they are resources,” Museveni said in a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. “These natural resources are like the organs of the human body — if you interfere with one, you interfere with life itself. That is why we must protect this environment and use it wisely. Development must work in harmony with nature.”The President emphasized that conservation and economic growth should not be seen as competing priorities. Instead, he said, Uganda’s long-term prosperity depends on sustainable management of natural ecosystems, especially in regions like Sebei, where the economy is closely tied to land and climate.Museveni’s comments come as the government continues to promote the Sebei sub-region as a hub for sports tourism, following the establishment of the Teryet National High Altitude Training Centre. Located just outside Kapchorwa town, Teryet is designed to serve as a world-class facility for athletes training in long-distance running and endurance sports.“When we built the Teryet National High Altitude Training Centre, we knew it would attract not only athletes but also investors in hotels, transport, and services,” Museveni said. “The government will continue improving the infrastructure because our role is to create the enabling environment; the private sector’s role is to take advantage of it.”The President’s message underscores the government’s broader strategy of using flagship infrastructure projects to stimulate private sector investment, particularly in tourism, hospitality, and local enterprise. Already, Kapchorwa has become synonymous with world-class athletics, producing Olympic and World Champion runners like Joshua Cheptegei, Jacob Kiplimo, and Peruth Chemutai.Their success has drawn global attention to the region, creating new demand for hospitality services, training camps, and tour experiences showcasing the scenic Sipi Falls, Mount Elgon slopes, and the Sebei culture. Museveni said these developments are exactly what his government envisioned when it invested in Teryet and related infrastructure projects.“The Teryet Centre is not just for sports — it is an anchor for development,” he said. “The hotels, the transporters, the traders, and the farmers who supply food to visitors all benefit. That is how we grow the economy from the bottom up.”However, Museveni cautioned that these gains could easily be lost if the environment is degraded through deforestation, poor farming practices, or encroachment on fragile ecosystems. He reiterated the importance of environmental stewardship, linking it directly to the region’s continued ability to attract investment and tourists.“If you destroy the trees, pollute the rivers, or exhaust the soils, you are killing the goose that lays the golden egg,” he warned. “Nature gives us everything — the rain, the clean air, the fertile soil. We must treat it as a partner, not an enemy.”In his characteristic humorous tone, the President concluded his message with a greeting in the local language — “Koitupon koroomun pikap Sabiny!!” — meaning “Greetings to all the people of Sebei,” drawing enthusiastic reactions from his supporters online.Museveni’s remarks in Kapchorwa are part of his ongoing campaign trail across the eastern region, where he has used rallies and community visits to highlight the importance of productivity, environmental protection, and private sector participation in national development.As the government invests further in road networks, tourism facilities, and sports infrastructure in the Sebei region, the President’s message served as both a reminder and a challenge: that true development must not only bring prosperity but also preserve the natural wealth that makes Uganda unique.The post Museveni Urges Sebei To Guard Environment, Tap Opportunities From Teryet Training Centre appeared first on The Insider.