Hundreds honour the National Day of Physical Exercise
Jun 17, 2024
This year’s event was held under the theme ‘Exercise is medicine, Regular Physical Activity Prevents Non-Communicable Diseases’.

Moses Golola walks with Some of the participants who participated in the 5km race during the National Day of Physical Activity. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Michael Nsubuga
Sports journalist @New Vision
Hundreds of fitness enthusiasts forewent their morning sleep and participated in the fourth edition of the National Day of Physical Activity held at Makerere University Business School sports ground on Sunday.
This year’s event was held under the theme ‘Exercise is medicine, Regular Physical Activity Prevents Non-Communicable Diseases’.
Participants who included the Minister of Health, Ruth Aceng who was the chief walker on the 5km route, engaged in fitness dance sessions, aerobics, and in the 5 and 10km walk/run before some engaged in football, netball and stationed cycling sessions at the sports ground.
Some of the people who participated in the 5km walk during the National Day of Physical Activity at MUBS ground, June 16, 2024. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
The minister emphasized the need for regular exercise to curb the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
“We don’t want to feel our hospitals with ourselves. The Uganda Heart Institute already has many patients and we don’t want to add more numbers,” Aceng said.
“We can avoid being part of the statistics by exercising regularly. Every day is a day for exercise and when you are doing it, enjoy it; that is when it has meaning, also eat wisely,” she cautioned.
Some of the runners who participated in the National Day of Physical Activity at MUBS ground in an aerobics session, June 16, 2024. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Diana Atwine, said they will continue with this exercise so that it eventually becomes a culture in ‘our organisations and homes and so that there is a reduction of disease burden, especially the number of None Communicable Diseases (NCDs)’.
She warned against the sedentary lifestyle that many people are living which is contributing much to the increase of diseases.
Some of the runners who participated in the National Day of Physical Activity at MUBS ground in an aerobics session, June 16, 2024. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
“Let Everyone be a steward of his/her life so that it is not too late when the doctors want to intervene that we cannot reduce or reverse the problem. We want organisations to designate spaces to create avenues where people can do exercises every week,” Atwine stated before she thanked their partners and the association of NCDs for supporting the day.
The World Health Organization (WHO) country representative, Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam emphasized the theme of this year’s National Day of Physical Activity saying: “Exercise is Medicine which doesn’t have side effects,”
“It is a medicine which is not only for one disease but for a number of them, so it is befitting to say exercise is medicine and it saves lives,” Woldemariam stated.
The Minister of Health Ruth Aceng signs on a placard to officially launch the The Physical Activity and Wellness Professionals Association of Uganda during the National Day of Physical Activity at MUBS ground in an aerobics session. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
He noted that despite the importance of exercising, 8 out of 10 adolescents were reluctant to engage in exercise as recommended by WHO.
“This inactivity increases about 20-30 percent of the death rate in our communities from diseases, which can be prevented or managed better if we do exercise.
“Globally, between 70-80 percent of deaths are attributed to diseases that can be managed or prevented by exercise,” he stated.
He thanked the government for directing all ministries, departments, and authorities to dedicate time for exercise.
The Physical Activity and Wellness Professionals Association of Uganda members pose with the Ministry of Health staff and the World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam (in blue T-shirt) after the National Day of Physical Activity at MUBS ground in an aerobics session, June 16, 2024. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
“It's not a waste of time and resources. Investing time for exercise is not only beneficial to the individual but it is beneficial for the community because NCDs are very expensive, even in the most advanced countries, because their treatment takes a long time.
“So investing in Exercise is a good economic policy because you allow your population to be more active, more productive and also save on expenses of treating your people,”
He appreciated the ministry for leading on this and President Yoweri Museveni for encouraging fitness and commended the Ugandans for taking this as a priority and advised them to exercise in their homes and workplaces.
The Physical Activity and Wellness Professionals Association of Uganda, led by fitness experts Robert Ssebugwawo and Newton Mbaziira, who have been carrying out fitness sessions and promoting fitness with parliament various ministries, and private institutions was officially launched by the minister.
Collin Ssemanda, its spokesperson, called on all fitness instructors in the country to subscribe to the association to be able to work with the various entities of government professionally.
Several dignitaries, including the Director of the Uganda Heart Institute, John Omagino, The Director of Public Health, Daniel Kyabayinze, the Principal of Makerere University Business School Moses Muhwezi and the guild president Moses Amanya, among others, attended the fitness show.