MTN Kampala Marathon (10km)

The rain had no say as the wheelchair race of the MTN Marathon was flagged off on Lugogo Bypass.

Whilst the clouds opened before the race started, the athletes didn’t let mother nature stop them as all 13 racers finished the race.

Winner Pauline Acayo (centre) with first runner-up Lorna Lamunu (left) and Florence Acen who finished third. Photo by Samson Ssemakadde

Richard Ocira won the men's category. Photo by Samson Ssemakadde

Eight men and five women took part in the races. Two of the racers were on tricycles and will be rewarded separately.

The men’s race was won by Richard Ocira while Pauline Acayo was the fastest woman on the track.

He was followed by Kevin Mubiru and Brian Mugabe. Ocira was very happy to win the race and claim sh3m while Mubiru will take home sh1.5m while Mugabe will take home sh1m.

Lorna Lamunu finished second taking home sh1.5m and sh1m will go to third place finisher Florence Acen. Acayo was happy the marathon gave her the opportunity to shine.

“Most of the time, we people with disabilities are despised and different companies ignore us because of our disabilities. I would like to thank MTN because the people living with disability in various places have a low level of education so, if MTN is bringing us this far we feel very happy and free,” explained Acayo.

MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer, Somdev Sen, interacts with the men’s podium finishers. Photo by Samson Ssemakadde

MTN chief marketing officer, Somdev Sen emphasised the marathon’s commitment towards giving everyone an equal chance in all that they do.

“In Kampala, there are many runs that happen every year. We are not the only ones who hold marathons. What sets us apart as the MTN Marathon is that while there is a fun side of it, there is a cause of generating money for babies we are also supporting people like we saw today, who don’t get much chance to showcase their abilities,” he said.

Men

1 Richard Ocira

2 Kevin Mubiru

3 Brian Mugabe

Women

1 Pauline Acayo

2 Lorna Lamunu

3 Florence Acen