Hundreds participate in the inaugural Independence Marathon in Entebbe

The first Kampala-Entebbe Marathon began with great energy as more than 700 runners finished the 42km and other race distances.

This event will now take place every year in October to celebrate Uganda’s Independence Day.

The event organised by Team Matooke, an umbrella organisation for several running clubs, is set to transform the iconic Kampala-Entebbe Monthly Run into a premier national event celebrating healthy living and patriotism.

This year’s event, which started at the International School of Uganda in Lubowa and ended at the Lake Victoria School in Entebbe, had Cosmas Olemukan and Evas Nasasira coming first in the 42km route. Ali Mudassir and Charles Kironde came second and third while Hilda Nkoola and Viola Mutabazi came second and third in both genders, respectively.

“It has been good because we were testing a concept, it has worked out quite well, the response was very good, the route was perfect, the sponsors were quite generous, particularly Stanbic Bank, MTN, Old Mutual and Events Limited, who provided the tent, TMR-our medical partners, and Mighty Rides,” Robert Kabushenga the chairperson organising committee noted.

“We have turned this thing into something called a movement, so next year we are ready to make this another element of celebrating independence, looking after our health and making sure that people move,” he stated.

He said over 750 people subscribed to this year’s event, which had a CSR element of supporting maternal health, and that they were looking to grow the numbers in the next edition.

Old Mutual Investment Group’s Stephen Lubowa, the head of distribution and marketing, thanked the runners for their participation and noted that supporting mothers is something great, and urged them to keep it up.

Sheilla Nduhukire, the Principal PRO, National Medical Stores (NMS), said that 75 per cent of the diseases in Uganda were preventable and encouraged the public to continue walking and running, as well as exercising regularly, and go for routine medical checkups, because that is the only sure way of preventing chronic illnesses.

“When you run, you contribute to the preventive health, and as National Medical Stores, we are proud to be partnering with you on this run, and we can commit to continuing to partner with the run,” she said.

TMR Hospital Executive Director Daniel Talemwa thanked the organisers of the race for dedicating the run to boosting maternal health because 8 mothers die every day from maternal-related deaths. He also urged participants to watch their personal health because three per cent of them are at a potential risk of chronic diseases, which can only be fought through exercise and eating well.

“You have done a great job because in the next ten years we want to have fewer than four mothers dying because of maternal-related complications. Work out now for a better future,” Talemwa advised.

The run is organised by Team Matooke in conjunction with the recreational running clubs committee and was managed by the running clubs of Kampala and Entebbe, who handled different responsibilities. The running community stretches as far as Mbarara, Mbale, Gulu, Kasese, and Fort Portal.

Top runners per category

42km-Men

Cosmas Olemukan

Ali Mudassir

Charles Kironde

42km-Women

Evas Nasasira

Hilda Nkoola

Viola Mutabazi

21km-Men

Alex Twongeire

Timothy Okoboi

John Ssembogo

21km-Women

Maurine Koech

Severijns Kiki

Salma Ganza

10km-Men

Christopher Musenze

John Bosco Lowii

Benjamin Tabaro

10km-Women

Nelly Esther

Hope Amumpaire

Myrthe Percouns

5km-Men

Edmund Mugisha

Dalton Bayenza

Michael Nsiimbi

5km-Women

Lydia Sabano

Penny Mulisa

Sharon Namugera