The annual Kabaka Birthday Run has received a boost after Yoweri Museveni donated running kits valued at Shs15 million to support this year’s campaign aimed at combating HIV/AIDS.
The contribution was delivered through Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), during a meeting at Bulange ahead of celebrations to mark the 71st birthday of Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.
Ms Namyalo and her delegation were received by the Buganda Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Charles Peter Mayiga, who welcomed the support and commended continued collaboration between the government and the kingdom on community initiatives.
While delivering the President’s message, Ms Namyalo applauded the Buganda Kingdom for spearheading efforts to fight HIV/AIDS through the annual run. She expressed optimism that collective efforts by stakeholders would help achieve the target of eliminating the disease by 2030.
“President Museveni’s commitment towards fighting HIV has never changed,” Ms Namyalo said, adding that the Office of the National Chairman remains ready to partner with the kingdom in mobilising the public, especially the youth, to participate in the run.
She also thanked the Katikkiro for consistently welcoming her office to participate in Buganda Kingdom programmes, describing the partnership as key in promoting health awareness and unity.
In his remarks, Mr Mayiga expressed gratitude for the support, noting that the Kabaka Birthday Run has grown into a major platform for raising awareness about HIV prevention and encouraging testing.
“All politicians should copy Namyalo. In whatever she is doing, her kingdom comes first. We can change religions and political parties, but we cannot change our tribes,” Mr Mayiga said.
He also commended the President for efforts aimed at improving governance and supporting initiatives that enhance community welfare.
Ms Namyalo later received the running kits, which she said would be distributed to youths, commonly referred to as “bazzukulu”, to enable them to participate in the run and spread the HIV prevention message.
The Kabaka Birthday Run, organised annually by the Buganda Kingdom, attracts thousands of participants from across the country and serves as a platform to mobilise communities in the fight against HIV/AIDS. This year’s edition is dedicated to strengthening awareness, prevention, and collective action to curb the spread of the disease.
Since assuming leadership at the Office of the National Chairman, Ms Namyalo has continued to participate in Buganda Kingdom activities, including previous editions of the run and other community programmes, in efforts aimed at strengthening cooperation and supporting grassroots empowerment initiatives.