Judges health run turns into a walking competition

JUDICIARY

KAMPALA - Despite the heavy downpour on Friday afternoon, judges and their support staff turned up in big numbers at the High Court premises in Kampala for the inaugural weekly judiciary fitness health run.

Clad in purple sports wears and golden sports shoes, the judicial officers at about 5:00 pm on Friday started warming up in preparation for the race as stimulating music frolicked loud.

Principal Judge Yorokamu Bamwine accompanied by the Judiciary Permanent secretary Pius Bigirimana immediately joined the visibly excited judicial officers to gear up for the aerobics. 

Principal Judge Yorokamu Bamwine (M) addressing the runner as Judge of High Court Joseph Mulangira (L) and Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana looks on. This was during the launch Judicial Health Run at High Court Kamapala.Photo by Ramadhan Abbey

All cameras were targeting the Chief Justice Bart Katureebe waiting for him to showcase but in vain.

Bamwine explained that Katureebe was out of the country on official duties while the Deputy Chief Justice Alfonse Owinyi-Dollo was engaged in various activities.

While flagging them off, Bamwine implored the judicial officers especially of advanced age to restrain from stretching beyond their fitness.

"We do not want to send an ambulance to pick you. If your fitness is low just enjoy the music," Bamwine said.

Just an arm's length from the flagging point, the majority of them were seen walking instead of running as planned.

Some of them were heard saying, "Man these things are not easy. I think we should run slowly."

Citing a saying that goes ‘work without play makes Jack a dull boy, Bamwine said the judiciary fitness health run was timely.

"There has been no time for judicial officers to engage in health-fitness activities because we spend all the time in court hearing cases and writing judgments on weekends throughout the year. Some of us even do not go to church or socialize with others but this is a timely initiative that will help us improve our health," Bamwine said.

Bigirimana revealed that the health run will not only help the judiciary staff in fighting against non-communicable diseases but also build a strong relationship among them.  

"I believe the health run will also help in building a strong relationship between judges and the support staff," Bigirimana said.

Judicial staff during the health runs exercise at High Court Kampala. Photo by Ramadhan Abbey

Judiciary senior communication officer, Solomon Muyita said the health run was a good initiative that will motivate all workers.

In August, last year, President Yoweri Museveni launched the National Physical Activity day as part of a public sensitization campaign to drum up support for physical activity to prevent non-communicable diseases in the Country.

 This followed the increased cases of death due to non-communicable diseases like heart failure among others.

According to the Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng, adults between 50-69years are more physically inactive compared to the young ones.  

It is estimated that 40 percent of the deaths that occur in the country are due to NCDs like heart disease, cancers, and diabetes.