The Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga (3rd left) poses with World Health Organisation Representative and Head of Mission Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam (left) and UNAIDS Country Director Karusa Kiragu (2nd left), Airtel Managing Director VG. Somasekhar (center) and other partner representatives of the Kabaka Birthday Run during the launch of the 2020-2022 Kabaka Birthday Run theme at Bulange, Nov 25 2019. Photos by Michael Nsubuga
For the next three years, the Airtel-Kabaka Birthday Run will undertake a new theme: ‘Men against AIDS to save the girl child’.
The Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga announced the new theme during a function at Bulange attended by key partners; Airtel, UNAIDS, Majestic Brands, BBS TV, and the latest entrant dfcu bank.
The annual run is one of the activities organized as part of the Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II birthday activities that has over the years been celebrated with particular corporate social responsibility causes attached. Previous runs have supported the fight against fistula and sickle cell anemia.
The Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga signs on a pull-up banner to launch the new 2020-2022 Kabaka Birthday Run theme at Bulange, November, 25 2019.
Mayiga said one of the most important events in the kingdom is the Kabaka’s Birthday because the Baganda believe that the more the king grows, it strengthens Buganda’s heritage because the Kabaka is the custodian of its heritage, values, beliefs, and history.
He said sh270m and sh550m from the previous runs had been channeled towards the fight against fistula in Kitovu Hospital and against sickle cell anemia respectively
“Every year we celebrate his reign because it is supposed to strengthen the social systems and values and celebrating the heritage.
“The Kabaka’s birthday isn’t just some kind of social celebration but it is about the essence and fundamentals of our life, and health is key, and for a very long time the Kabaka has been involved in health issues like in the fight against aids the reason he was appointed a UNAIDS goodwill ambassador in the fight against AIDS,” Mayiga stated.
Airtel Uganda Managing Director V.G. Somasekhar reiterated the importance of the telecom’s partnership with Buganda Kingdom and confirmed the company’s support towards the cause.
“Airtel Uganda will continue to support the Buganda Kingdom and we are very proud of this partnership. Going forward, we confirm our commitment to end AIDS by the year 2030,” he said.
UNAIDS Country Director Karusa Kiragu said it is a privilege to have the Kabaka as one of the most effective AIDS ambassadors.
UNAIDS Country Director Karusa Kiragu signs on a pull-up banner to the new 2020-2022 Kabaka Birthday Run theme at Bulange.
The function was also attended by the World Health Organisation Representative and Head of Mission Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, First Deputy Katikkiro Twaha Kawaase Kigongo, Buganda Sports Minister Henry Ssekabembe, dfcu bank marketing manager Jude Kansiime, heads of counties and the different partners and the different sports association heads and chairmen in Buganda.
The run is part of a partnership that Airtel has with the Buganda Kingdom to sponsor four of their most important activities; the Kabaka’s Birthday Run, Kabaka’s birthday celebration, the Kabaka’s coronation as well as Eid-El-Fitri. Airtel also sponsors the Buganda kingdom football tournament-the Masaza Cup.
