President Museveni to lead 2026 Olympic Day Run in Bushenyi

President Yoweri Museveni is expected to be the chief runner at the 2026 Olympic Day Run, scheduled for June 20 in Bushenyi District.

On the day, Uganda will join the rest of the world in celebrating sport, health, and community engagement under the theme: "Move, Learn and Discover for Nutrition Care."

In a renewed focus, this year's event has been dubbed the Olympic Day Tooke Run, organized by the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) in collaboration with the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development / Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre (PIBID/BIRDC).

The theme highlights the critical role of physical activity and proper nutrition in advancing individual well-being and national development. According to UOC Vice President Godwin Kayangwe, the partnership with Tooke, a principal product of PIBID/BIRDC, aligns with efforts to promote nutrition among athletes. He made the remarks during the launch at the Sheraton Hotel Kampala on Monday.

Kayangwe revealed that the run will focus on five key strategic objectives: sponsoring Ugandan athletes to the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal; providing nutritional support to athletes; raising awareness about the value of Tooke as a sustainable energy source; promoting the banana cropping system by increasing its visibility and linking it to global market chains; and encouraging healthier lifestyles.

UOC President Donald Rukare noted that their partnership with PIBID is also built on the three values of Olympism: excellence, respect, and friendship.

"In our shared vision with PIBID/BIRDC, we have rebranded our usual Olympic Day run celebrating Olympism to the Tooke Run. Let us rise together and declare that malnutrition has no place in Uganda's future," Rukare said.

UOC General Secretary Beatrice Ayikoru noted that taking the event to western Uganda marks a significant step in talent identification, particularly in the historically strong running regions of Ankole and Kigezi.

"Before the shift of dominance to Sebei and Kapchorwa, the best running talent came from Ankole and Kigezi. We are returning to these regions to give athletes another platform," Ayikoru said.

She added that the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), through district associations, will use the event to identify and nurture talent over a four-year cycle leading to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

"The 5km, 10km, and 21km races will meet standard requirements, allowing athletes to qualify for international competitions. Cash prizes will be awarded to both elite and local runners," she added.

Director General of PIBID, Florence Muranga, praised the partnership, emphasizing the role of nutrition in sports development.

"The country often focuses on elite athletes, leaving many behind due to malnutrition and other challenges. This initiative seeks to address that gap," she said, adding that matooke has strong nutritional value.

Muranga noted that matooke provides sustained energy for up to six hours—longer than many maize-based foods, and also contributes to improved mood and overall well-being.

As part of the build-up to the event, a week-long engagement in Bushenyi will include Olympic education sessions, nutrition awareness programs, and community initiatives promoting healthy living.

Among those who attended the launch were three-time Commonwealth champion Moses Kipsiro, UOC Athletes' Representative Shadir Musa, Justice Lilian Tibatemwa, Bank of Uganda Executive Director Collin Babirukamu, and PIBID member Frank Mabiriizi, among others.

Kipsiro called on the organizers to award cash prizes to local runners.

"In order to achieve a highly competitive turnout for the event, it's good to give cash prizes to the non-elite winners as well," Kipsiro noted.

Running kits are priced at 35,000 shillings, with over 1,000 already purchased by the corporate community at the launch.