Katikkiro launches registration for Kabaka marathon

By Jeff Andrew Lule              

Buganda Kingdom premier (KatikKiro), Peter Charles Mayiga has launched a registration exercise of those intending to participate in this year Kabaka’s birthday marathon.

He launched the exercise at Bulange, Mengo today (Wednesday).

The event slated to take place on April 6, is part of the activities ahead of the Kabaka’s annual birthday celebrations to take place on April 13.

This event is supported by Vision Group, Rwenzori Beverages, and Airtel Uganda among others.

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi was born on April 13, 1955. The Katikiro said the day is very important in the Kingdom since the Kabaka is the custodian of the Kingdom’s heritage.

“Without the Kabaka, Buganda cannot exist. Before we learnt how to read and write, people used to associate the reigns of different Kings with different signs and events. That’s why we have such events in place to create memory,” he noted. 

This year’s marathon is aimed at creating awareness on Fistula disease, which has become a big problem among mothers.

Mayiga thanked the marathon committee chairman, also the Vision Group’s boss, Robert Kabushenga for his efforts to advance the marathon to another level.

“We decided to have a new committee with professionals and experienced people to push the event to another level and make it more popular. I thank Kabushenga and his members for the good work,” he said.

Mayiga said all Kingdom activities are focused on social and economic transformation to change people lives at various levels.

“This event is a campaign to educate our mothers on where to go for treatment and help those with the problem,” he added.  

Katikiro called for more sponsors to support the cause.

Kabushega said registration is to take place at Bulange, Bukedde at Vision Group headquarters and Airtel online registration which will be communicated by the services providers.

The marathon is to have three categories ranging from 21kms, 10kms and 5kms. It is to start from  Lubiri Palace, through Bulange and Kasubi.

Kabushenga said they are also going to organize for those who can walk.

“Participants are expected to pay sh10,000 at individual level, and sh1m for cooperate companies catering for 20 people. We call on all people to register,” he noted.

The Kingdom health minister, Dr. Ben Mukwaya said fistula is mainly caused due to poor deliveries done by unprofessionals.

“We want to raise awareness to mothers to visits hospitals for antenatal services. Many of these problems are as a result of unprofessionalism. In fact some women in villages think it witchcraft which is wrong,” he added.

The minister for sports, Sekabembe Kiberu said people need to engage in sports activities for better health.