Kampala Uganda – By Nabbale Viola.
Several cooperate companies and government entities have come up to support Buganda Kingdom since the launch of the virtual Kabaka Birthday Run.
The virtual Kabaka Birthday Run will take place tomorrow Sunday 29th November under the theme ‘Men against AIDS to save the girl child’ and will be flagged off by the Kabaka of Buganda. For this special event, participants will virtually be part of the s homes.
On Friday Kampala Capital City Authority – KCCA joined Airtel Uganda the official sponsor of The Kabaka Birthday Run and three other Kingdom’s most important activities; Kabaka’s birthday celebration, the Kabaka’s coronation as well as Eid El Fitri. Airtel Uganda also sponsors the Masaza Cup the Buganda kingdom football tournament.
Unfortunately, with the outbreak of Covid-19, many business activities and sporting events had to be put on hold or postponed to mitigate the spread of the disease, and the Kabaka Birthday Run was part of those.
During the meeting with KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka, the Katikiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga promised to support Kampala Capital City Authority in its effort to protect the girl child.
“We are pleased that you are part of the efforts in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS through this year’s Kabaka’s Birthday Run,” Mayiga said.
People expected in the run will do so from their respective homes and they will post the pictures on their different social media platforms.
Kabaka Ronald Mwenda Mutebi in his messages has been urging his subjects and all the people to take care and safeguard against the HIV/AIDS pandemic with the men at the forefront.
The funds raised after the run will help in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
In her remarks, Kisaka applauded the Kabaka and his subjects for joining the fight against HIV/AIDS, promised continued support, and working with Mengo.
Speaking at the launch of the virtual Kabaka Run, Ali Balunywa, Airtel Uganda’s Sales Distribution Director said; “As Airtel Uganda, we are proud to continue this partnership and support of the Kingdom’s activities. Covid-19 has presented us with an opportunity to exploit the virtual world using Airtel Uganda’s 4G network readying Uganda for digitization. As we continue to observe the safety measures to limit the spread of Covid-19, we still have to devise new ways to continue doing business and holding certain events. We believe that the virtual Kabaka Birthday Run is a good idea to ensure the continuity of the Kabaka’s birthday celebrations no matter where we are.”
“I call upon Ugandans all over to go to Airtel Uganda Service centers, New Park, Thobani Mall and New Park Kyaggwe road to pick their kits and take part in the upcoming virtual run as we, together with other partners, government and the public, commit towards ending AIDS by 2030,” Balunywa added.
Umeme Limited also confirmed participation in the virtual Kabaka Run 2020 with purchase of 100 kits for staff. ”We are committed to the cause of fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS” they posted on Facebook.
In 2017, the focus was re-channeled from Fistula to the Fight against Sickle Cells – to direct the Kabaka Birthday Run’s proceeds towards fighting the Sickle Cells disease in Uganda. Together with the Ministry of Health, the impact has been created in the areas of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness, testing and prevention. About 150,000 people were tested in three years.
