Thousands of Bazzukulu and other participants endured the Sunday morning rains to take part in the 2024 Kabaka Birthday Run at Lubiri Mengo, as the annual event celebrated its eleventh edition since the first run.
The Kabaka Birthday Run was flagged off by Nnaalinya Lubuga (Princess) Dr. Agnes Nabaloga in company of Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga on behalf of Kabaka Ronald Mutebi who is away in Europe on a medical trip.
The run commenced at 6 am with runners competing in 5, 10 and 21 kilometers.
The thousands of Bazzukulu at Kabaka’s birthday run were also joined by Office of the National Chairman (ONC) manager Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo who later showcased her rare dance moves on stage sending crowds into laughers to mark the day.
The runup to the event attracted generous support from key stakeholders, especially the event sponsors, as well as government, NGOs, corporate entities and individuals who are enthusiastic about their King and the Kingdom.
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The support came in the form of kit purchases and some in cash donations towards the cause- fighting against HIV/AIDS.
For example, earlier this week on Tuesday, the government, in collaboration with parliament, pledged Shs 50 million towards the run, demonstrating a strong commitment to the cause.
On the other hand, President Museveni’s Office of the National Chairman (ONC) through SPA Hajjat Namyalo on Friday delivered UGX 50m cash contribution towards the cause and also covered part of refreshments for runners at the event.
After the run, SPA Namyalo in partnership with Kampala Central Division Mayor, Mr Salim Uhuru of Uhuru Restaurant organized refreshments and food for all the Bazzukulu that turned up at the ONC tent.
Speaking during the event, Katikiro of Buganda Kingdom Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga commended Hajjat Namyalo for always supporting Buganda kingdom initiatives. He also asked the Bazzukulu as pillars of the nation to actively involve themselves in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
This year’s theme is “Men are stars in the fight against HIV/AIDS to save a girl child”.
Fresh from liberating Uganda from a dictatorship, in the early 1990s, President Museveni became the first African President to openly speak out against HIV which had become a taboo subject among peer Africa leaders.
President Museveni recently launched a fast-track initiative on ending HIV & AIDS in Uganda by 2030. The first of it’s kind in Africa and the entire world.
This relentless effort of President Yoweri Museveni, has positioned Uganda on track to achieve the ambitious goal of ending AIDS as a Public Health Threat by 2030.
