The story of MTN marathon

Gen. Katumba Wamala takes part in the marathon in 2006

Arua came to a standstill this Sunday when hundreds of runners stormed the golf club for the MTN Arua Run that was organised to support maternal health.

While launching the run on Thursday, Swaib Toko, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Pakwach district, appealed to all local governments at district and sub-county levels to prioritize budgets for maternal health services.

Toko said, there is a need for local governments to increase the budget for handling emergencies that occur in maternal health with mothers. He said the issue of maternal care is important.

Last year, the MTN Marathon raised sh1.3b. "Maternal health is the starting point of all development aspects of society. At times people praise heroes, but forget women who are heroines in the lives of all human beings," Toko said.

James Ndyamuhaki, the Regional Business Manager MTN said, MTN together with partner's targets to realize over sh1b in the run countrywide. This year's run started in Soroti and moved to Arua. It will proceed to Masaka and conclude in Kampala.

Shida Leni, Uganda's 400m record holder will join the runners in the 10km run in Arua. Leni said this is an opportunity to identify young talented athletes in Arua.