Museveni launches 2014 Kampala Marathon

Oct 15, 2014

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday launched the MTN Kampala marathon amidst excitement and celebration at a function that was held at Natapani Village, Nabilatuk County in Nakapiripirit district.

By Norman Katende in Nabilatuk

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday launched the MTN Kampala marathon amidst excitement and celebration at a function that was held at Natapani Village, Nabilatuk County in Nakapiripirit district.


This year's Marathon will take place on November 23.

He launched this year's marathon at the function that saw the locals brave a downpour.

“I hereby launch the Kampala 2014 Kampala Marathon,” said the Museveni before pausing for photos with the key sponsors and partners in the MTN Marathon that included top officials from the Telecommunication Company MTN, Huawei and Vision group.

Stanbic Bank and Rwenzori are the other partners of the 41.29km race that is organised by Uganda Athletics Federation.

“These people make a lot of money from you. What they have done is to Kubegera (offer some little) to you. We thank you for doing that so that you give back to the population. You should be Christians and having a Godly heart,” said Museveni amidst cheers from the hundreds of Karimojong, who braced a heavy midday downpour to witness the occasion.

MTN CEO Brian Gouldie had earlier said that the marathon was something that showed Ugandans that they care about others.

true
Vision Group CEO Robert Kabushenga, Huawei Managing Director Rodoslaw Kedzia and Water Aid country representative Peter Okubal share a light moment. PHOTO: Norman Katende

“It is not us who contributed the money but the thousands of runners, who made sure that they touch people's hearts. We take pride in seeing that the participants of the MTN 2013 Kampala marathon make a difference in the lives of people of Karamoja,” said Gouldie.

Huawei Managing Director Rodaslaw Kedzia said that they were willing to partner with MTN not only in technology but also in making sure that they touch people's hearts.

“It's not surprising that we are the greatest financial contributing partners towards the Marathon. We want to leave an impact in life,” said Kedzia.

Vision Group Chief executive Robert Kabushenga who challenged all top managers to take part in the marathon, appealed to the Uganda Police to try and secure roads at least for the top runners.

“They have the key to make the marathon a success by securing the roads for about three hours. We need to have a marathon where we do not compete with cars but with fellow runners,” Kabushenga appealed.

Registration for the marathon will officially start next week.
 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});