Leader of Opposition commends Kabaka on sickle cell drive

The Leader of Opposition in Parliament Betty Aol Ocan has commended the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, for his annual Kabaka's birthday run, where proceeds go towards the fight against sickle cell disease in Uganda.

Aol said the government has not done enough to allocate adequate funds for the treatment and management of sickle cell disease, which is affecting a big number of Ugandans.

"If the government was determined to fighting sickle cell, we wouldn't be having people like the Kabaka coming out to fundraise for sickle cell treatment among Ugandans. We commend the Kabaka for his big heart," she said.

Five years ago, the Kabaka through the Buganda Kingdom started the Kabaka's birthday run, where proceeds from the run are donated towards sickle cell treatment among Ugandans.

Launching this years' Kabaka run, slated for April 7, the Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga, explained that sickle cell disease is a major health problem because it is widespread in the country, where the abnormal gene has a prevalence rate of between 2% and 30%, which explains the high mortality and morbidity due to the disease.

Stressing the urgent need to tackle the disease, Mayiga called upon the public to continue making efforts to fight against blood diseases in the country.

"We intend to continue driving awareness about the sickle cell disease as well as supplement government efforts in the fight through the provision of the sickle cell testing kits," he added.

To supplement Mengo's efforts in the fight against sickle cell, Aol implored Ugandans to take part in the 2019 Kabaka's birthday run, to raise funds for the fight against the disease.

"I have bought 30 tickets for my children in the media, I want them to go and participate in Kabaka's run so that we can kick sickle cell out of Uganda," she said at parliament.

Aol also asked the government to consider equipping public health facilities with all the necessary requirements such as drugs and blood, required in the treatment of sickle cells.

She also encouraged Ugandans, especially those planning to marry, to screen for  sickle cell before marriage, for a sickle cell free generation