Thousands of runners braved the morning chill to take part in the 11th edition of the Kabaka Birthday Run on Sunday at Lubiri Palace in Mengo.

Addressing the crowd before flagging off the runners, Nalinya Lubuga Agnes Nabaloga urged men to be at the forefront of the fight against HIV/AIDS and save the girl child.

“Men can spearhead the fight against the spread of this disease by being faithful to their partners and taking necessary precautions, we believe by 2030, the HIV/AIDS scourge will be long gone,” said Nalinya Nabaloga who represented Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.

Nalinya was accompanied by Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga, Princess Sarah Ssangalyambogo,  Prince Richard Ssemakokilo, leader of opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, Airtel Managing Director Manoj Murali and I&M bank executive director Sam Ntulume and many other dignitaries from the kingdom.

Ntulume believes the run has tremendous benefits for the participants hence the bank’s decision to support the noble cause.

“We believe that fighting a disease like HIV/AIDS which has claimed many lives in Uganda is a genuine cause and we also believe participants get the opportunity of keeping their bodies safe by exercising,” he said.

David Birungi, the Airtel Uganda’s Public Relations Manager urged all men to hold the torch higher day by day and champion the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“We can only safely guard the future generation by ensuring that HIV/AIDS is be kicked out by 2030, especially among the youth who are very vulnerable,” Birungi said.

The run was attended by people from all age groups from as little as seven months old to 94-year-old Gertrude Nakabazzi who uses the run as a platform for keeping her body fit.