Empango celebrations: Thousands at pre-coronation marathon

Sep 07, 2018

Dr. Richard Mugahi, the Tooro kingdom health minister, said the marathon was aimed at raising awareness about the HIV/AIDs scourge in the kingdom.

Over 1,000 people on Friday morning participated in the pre-coronation marathon for Tooro kingdom, one day to the Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru's  23rd coronation anniversary.

Dr. Richard Mugahi, the Tooro kingdom health minister, said the marathon was aimed at raising awareness about the HIV/AIDs scourge in the kingdom.

 The event which attracted 1,000 runners of these, 100 were from United States, England, Austria, Japan, Netherlands, Kenya and South Africa. The same event attracted 20 international runners last year.

"Am very happy that I have been part of this marathon it has been a very nice experience running 10km in Uganda it was my first time to take part in any marathon in Africa," said Clare Jean from Netherlands.

The Tooro king Oyo Nyimba participated in the in the 10 km which started at Karuzika royal palace.

"Am happy that the marathon has attracted several people including international runners we hope to raise funds which will support awareness campaigns against HIV in the kingdom," Mugahi said.

The marathon was organised under the slogan "fight against HIV and AIDS" and was sponsored by Baylor Uganda and Posta bank.

The Tooro queen mother Best Kemigisa, the head of the royal clan Omusuga Charles Kamurasi, the kingdom's Prime Minister Banard Tungakwo are among the people who participated in the marathon.

"The King decided to participate in the marathon because he  is the UNAIDS ambassador in the fight against HIV among the youth and prior to the marathon we had organised several other activities like free male circumcision," Tungakwo the kingdom prime minister said.

 

 

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