David GOMBE
1000’s of Ugandans have as soon as once more confirmed up in massive numbers in Lubiri-Mengo (Kabaka’s Palace in Mengo) to take part within the thirteenth version of the extremely anticipated Kabaka Birthday Run. This 12 months’s run marks Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II’s 71st birthday.
In an attention-grabbing take, Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar graced this 12 months’s run, taking part within the 10km run, as a present of true sportsmanship and recognition for the partnership between Buganda Kingdom and Airtel Uganda. Taldar additionally handed over a package to the Kabaka for the run.
The run, themed “Males for Good Well being to Save the Lady Youngster and the Combat to Finish HIV/AIDS by 2030,” calls on males to take a number one position within the combat in opposition to HIV/AIDS.
Since its inception in 2014, the Airtel Kabaka Birthday Run has emerged as certainly one of Uganda’s largest annual runs, championing well being causes resembling sickle cell consciousness, fistula prevention, and now the combat in opposition to HIV/AIDS. It is usually among the many largest distinctive charity runs globally.
Taldar, shared his enthusiasm for taking part within the run and lauded Ugandans for his or her continued help within the combat to finish HIV/AIDS.
“Since I arrived on this lovely nation, I’ve been hit with a wave of nostalgia. Ugandans are very glad and hospitable individuals; they encourage you to belong. It’s inspiring to see 1000’s of Ugandans unite in such nice numbers, for a noble trigger, HIV/AIDS, for which nearly each household has a scar. Every certainly one of us is right here to make historical past as individuals in one of many greatest efforts aimed toward eliminating HIV/AIDS in Uganda by 2030. Our robust partnership with the Buganda Kingdom reaffirms our dedication to Uganda’s sustainable well being growth. Collectively, we will remove HIV/AIDS by 2030,” he stated.
The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, echoed the theme for this 12 months’s run, reminding Ugandans of their position within the combat in opposition to HIV/AIDS:
“This 12 months, our key message may be very clear: Males for Good Well being to Save the Lady Youngster and the Combat to Finish HIV/AIDS by 2030”. The Kabaka Birthday Run isn’t merely a celebration of His Majesty’s birthday, however a wake-up name to accentuate our efforts within the combat for higher well being in Uganda. We admire our long-time companion, Airtel Uganda, whose continued help has been instrumental in making an actual distinction within the combat in opposition to HIV/AIDS.”
By means of continued advocacy initiatives such because the Kabaka Birthday Run, Uganda could make regular progress in the direction of reaching an AIDS-free era.
“As Airtel Uganda, we stay dedicated to initiatives that positively impression the lives of Ugandans inside and past the Kingdom. The combat in opposition to HIV/AIDS requires collective motion, and we’re proud to face with the Buganda Kingdom and all Ugandans on this noble trigger,” Taldar concluded.
In line with the Uganda AIDS Fee, roughly 1.4–1.5 million Ugandans reside with HIV, with an grownup prevalence charge of about 4.9%–5.4%. Whereas AIDS-related deaths have declined to about 20,000 yearly, representing a 64% drop since 2010, an estimated 37,000 new infections are recorded every year. This highlights the necessity for continued consciousness, pr evention, care, and therapy efforts to finish HIV/AIDS.