The Katikkiro of Buganda Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga has commended partners including Airtel Uganda, dfcu Bank, and I&M Bank Uganda for their continued support and commitment to ridding Uganda of the scourge of HIV/AIDS by supporting the annual Kabaka Birthday run.
The Kabaka Run is an annual marathon that is held in celebration of Kabaka’s birthday under different themes. This year, just like the previous year, the Run has been held under the theme, “Men against AIDS to Save the Girl Child”, with the aim of continuing to create awareness about HIV/AIDS and encourage men to get tested, get treated and eventually protect women against infection.
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Held over the weekend, the 2022 Kabaka birthday run attracted over 80,000 runners at Mengo with thousands more participating in different regions across the country.
The run was flagged off by the Kabaka of Buganda, His Majesty, Ronald Mwenda Mutebi II, who is also the UNAIDS-appointed Africa Goodwill Ambassador.
Owek. Mayiga said, “We would not have been able to walk this journey alone. With support from our sponsors, Airtel Uganda, dfcu bank, and partners like UNAIDS, among others who have contributed towards this noble cause of fighting the spread of HV/AIDs, the run has consistently been held.”
“We are very grateful to them for continuing to support the Kabaka Birthday run. We have had you as a partner every year since 2019 and we hope to continue these collaborative efforts to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS,” remarked Owek. Mayiga.
In 2019, dfcu Bank signed a partnership agreement with the Buganda Kingdom to sponsor the annual Kabaka Birthday run event for three years.
According to dfcu Bank CEO Mathias Katamba, the Kabaka Birthday Run activity is in line with the bank’s Corporate Social Investment intervention area of maternal and child health, in the context of HIV/AIDs.
“We are honoured to sponsor such a prestigious activity with a cause so dear to Ugandans in their different communities across the country. The long-term wellbeing and uplifting of communities through testing and treatment of HIV/AIDs patients to ensure that no more contractions happen is a key priority for dfcu Bank. While there has been significant progress in the reduction of new infections, we commit our support to ensure that we eliminate HIV/AIDS,” he noted.
Airtel Uganda Managing Director Manoj murali said, “A healthy human capital is important for the transformation of any society. We are proud to support efforts aimed at ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic by 2030 because this economy needs a healthy workforce.”
Manoj recognized the efforts of the Kabaka, through his able Kingdom leaders, that has steered the Kingdom towards to success through collaborations and activities like the Kabaka Run, Masaza Cup, among many other engagements that foster economic growth within and beyond the kingdom.
He pledged Airtel’s continuous support.
“We are impressed by the number of participants who took part in this year’s edition of the Kabaka Birthday Run. We aimed to sell 80,000 kits and all were sold out, which is a sign of commitment our people have shown towards supporting the Kingdom initiatives, and we appreciate it,” noted The Katikiro of Buganda Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga.
In a bid to re-affirm their commitment to support and give back to the community, I&M joined corporate participants, fielding over 50 members of staff as runners.
I&M Bank Executive Director and Chief Operations Officer, Sam Ntulume lauded Buganda Kingdom for spearheading a great initiative that is tremendously transforming lives in society and pledged to continue supporting the run.
“It is our honour to be part of this noble cause that not only gives us an ultimate opportunity to drive awareness against HIV/AIDS but also resonates with our corporate social responsibly,” said Ntulume.
Ntulume said that participating in the run will also go a long way in cementing the bank’s relationship with Buganda Kingdom and opening doors for engagement with other partners.
Annette Nakiyaga, the bank’s Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications noted that the run was also an opportunity to promote collegiality and teamwork amongst I&M staff, on top of highlighting fitness.
The 2022 Kabaka Birthday Run had participants from different areas of the country including Masaka, Mukono, Luwero among others.
