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The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Edward Frederick Kimera Muwenda, will turn 70 this year, and part of the pre-events to mark his birthday is the Airtel Uganda-sponsored Kabaka Birthday Run.
The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Edward Frederick Kimera Muwenda, will turn 70 this year, and part of the pre-events to mark his birthday is the Airtel Uganda-sponsored Kabaka Birthday Run.
Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, the kingdom's minister for information and mobilisation, said that while last year they had over 110,000 runners, this year they expect around 120,000 participants.
The run, organised for its 12th edition, will be held on Sunday, April 6, under the theme 'Men for Good Health to Save the Girl Child'. It is aimed not only at celebrating the Kabaka's birthday but also raising funds and awareness for the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The run, expected to be flagged off by the Kabaka, will be preceded by the opening of a three-storey building at St. Peter's Secondary School Bombo Kalule on April 5, in memory of the Kabaka.
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The school, owned by Ronald Mulondo, is built on land donated to him by the Kabaka. Mulondo won the CBS FM Luganda competition.
The Kabaka was born on April 13, 1995, so the main celebrations of his birthday will be held on that day at Rubaga Cathedral, according to Kitooke, who is also the kingdom's spokesperson.
Other activities during the pre-birthday celebrations, apart from the Kabaka Birthday Run, include health camps in every county and sub-county, the launch of an outpatient hospital in Busimbi, Singo, and the distribution of 18 tractors bought by the kingdom to every county to support coffee farmers under the Mwanyi Terimba initiative.
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Some of the notable achievements from the run in the past 12 years, according to Minister Kitooke, include a reduction in HIV prevalence rates, a reduction in stigma due to continued education, the donation of condoms, and sensitisation campaigns conducted on islands that are also highly affected by the disease.
According to Kitooke, proceeds from the run have also been used to purchase motorcycles for Gombolola chiefs in 175 sub-counties, enabling them to conduct sensitisation campaigns.
David Birungi, the public relations manager at Airtel Uganda, said that, apart from HIV/AIDS, the Kabaka Birthday Run has previously addressed issues like sickle cell and fistula.
"We work with the Kabaka of Buganda Kingdom to put resources on the table [and rally Ugandans to] participate in the run, with proceeds going towards transforming lives by reducing the burden of disease," he said.
Birungi said that during the fistula campaign, proceeds from the run helped establish a regional facility for the treatment and management of fistula at Kitovu Hospital in Masaka.
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"Fistula comes with stigma, and being able to share, raise awareness, and create a centre of excellence in Buganda supported by this work, we believe, is a very big intervention and we are proud of that," he said.
The run has also joined the campaign to increase awareness of sickle cell, encouraging people to get tested and make informed decisions.
Israel Kazibwe Kitooke said this year's proceeds will help support efforts in the fight against HIV, following the Trump administration's freeze on funding to organisations and government entities combating HIV/AIDS.
Some of the items they are focusing on include condoms, gloves, medicines, and more.
Birungi said they are contributing to the goal of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030, a timeline set by UNAIDS. It is also important to note that the Kabaka is the African goodwill ambassador for UNAIDS.
When asked about the value the kingdom has gained from working with Airtel Uganda, minister Kitooke said: "Airtel has been there for us [and supported many kingdom activities]... they've been there for Masaza cups... We are also telling our people, wherever you see Airtel, support it because they also support us."
On working with the kingdom, Birungi said: "...the most important thing for us is being able to demonstrate that we are culturally aware as a business and we appreciate the platform the kingdom has given us to change people's lives."
Although the marathon is a charity event, some runners who win the 30km and 15km races will be rewarded. The 5km race is for other participants.
To participate, you just need to pay Shs20,000 for a kit, which you can obtain from Airtel service centres on Ben Kiwanuka Street, Thobani Centre, Wampewo Avenue, Forest Mall, and Majestic Brand offices in Bulange. Kitooke said they are also selling them across various Buganda Kingdom sub-counties.
Alternatively, you can dial 185*5*5# via Airtel Money.
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