Marathon for refugees in offing

PIC: Minister Musa Ecweru speaking during the launch of the refugee marathon. (Credit: Titus Kakembo)

MARATHON

KAMPALA - The developed world, which is shutting its doors to keep away refugees fleeing death in their countries has no right to dictate on Uganda how to handle the 1.4 million refugees in the country.

This remark was made by the minister of state for refugees and disaster preparedness Musa Ecweru.

"If anything, they ought to consult us on how we handle refugees," argued Ecweru. "With our meager resources, we give children and mothers a shoulder to cry on, instead of having them deported or drowning in the sea."

This was at Eureka Hotel in Ntinda while launching the Run4Refugees Marathon April 10.

The marathon is aimed at raising funds to help refugees access clean water.

"We have had challenges in the recent past," observed Ecweru. "But you do not chop off your head because you have a headache. We are dealing with the short comings of crime, diseases and psycho-social weaknesses encountered."

The Ag executive director National Forest Authority (NFA), Paul Beyerah, promised to provide 10,000 trees to conserve the environment.

"When refugees come here, they need timber to build and cook," said Buyerah. "Besides that, there is more to planting trees than seeing them mature. Therefore, the culture of tree planting ought to be promoted on arrival."

The refugee marathons are slated to take place on June 10 and 20 in Kololo, Kampala and Arua town respectively.

However, for those who cannot run, the organisers have planned orporate dinners,  which will take place in Kampala on June 8 and in Arua on June 18.