Stanbic offers sh225m for MTN Kampala marathon

Stanbic Bank Uganda one of the key long partners and supporters of the MTN Marathon have set the pace for this year's marathon by donating sh225m cash.

The money will go towards improving sustainable sanitation for children in Kampala Capital City Authority-run urban schools.

Stanbic Chief Executive Officer Patrick Mweheire presented the cheque to MTN CEO Wim Vanhelleputte at the Crested Towers Stanbic Bank branch on Friday morning.

"We have a very deep and long standing relationship with MTN on a number of fronts; but we have also been part of this journey with MTN for so many years and we have no intention to stop because we think it is a fantastic signature event that also resonates with us," Mweheire said.

"From our CSR initiative we have picked education as the pillar that we will support most.  When you look around Uganda all the other CSR initiatives are well funded, but the reality is education doesn't get as much, so we decided to partner with MTN to rebuild some of the facilities in our public schools and are looking at several ways of intervening  on the education front.

"We think the future of our country is in our children the reason we need to intervene to transform their lives and improve their wellbeing. We hope that we will have a successful marathon and looking forward to next year," Mweheire stated.

 Ladies are welcomed by cheer leaders at Stanbic Towers, before the launch of the official kit of the MTN Marathon October 4 2016. PHOTO: Michael Nsubuga

Stanbic will have 200 staff running on November 20 in the annual event that is expected to attract over 20000 people.

Registration for the event starts on Monday at registration points that include Stanbic Bank William Street branch, MTN headquarters opposite Meat Packers, MTN shops at Lugogo, Forest Mall, Kampala Road, Kyaggwe road and at the MTN shop Victoria Mall in Entebbe. Each runner will pay sh25.000 or sh23,000 using mobile money

"We would like to thank Stanbic and all the staff for contributing to a good cause. This year's proceeds will go to KCCA to improve sanitation in a number of schools, so it is good to see that we have partners like Stanbic who we are going to run with us for a better Uganda and we would like to congratulate the Stanbic team for consistently being the largest corporate in terms of participation," MTN CEO Wim Vanhelleputte said.

Later Mwehaire unveiled the official corporate kit, cap and a Stanbic hamper that each runner will get upon payment of the marathon entry fees.

Other co-sponsors include New Vision, MTN, Huawei, Spedag, UAF and Rwenzori water.