In an array display of love, thousands of individuals and corporate entities, including the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda (IRA) painted Lubiri and the surrounding areas red (race kits colour) as they took part in the Kabaka birthday run in celebration of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II’s 71st birthday.
The chilly morning provided a cool weather for the participates to run their races in the 13th edition of the annual run, which were segmented in 21km, 10km, and 5km.
Runners were flagged off by the Kabaka at 8am at Lubiri, Mengo. He was flanked by the wife Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda and other members of the royal family, the Katikkiro, Charles Peter Mayiga, and other Kingdom officials.
Runners followed routes along Kabaka Anjagala, Balintuma Road, Hoima Road, Bombo Road, Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road, Kira Road, John Babiha Avenue, and other major roads before looping back to the finish line at Lubiri.
Like the previous six editions, this year’s theme centered around the need to fight HIV; “Men for good health to save the girl child and the fight to end HIV/AIDS by 2030,” re-echoing the kingdom’s commitment and sustained effort to fight HIV/Aids in the country.
The theme re-emphasized the critical role men play in supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS and in safeguarding the wellbeing of the girl child.
In his message, delivered by the Katikkiro, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi said the spread of HIV/AIDS can be significantly reduced if individuals remain vigilant, responsible, and intentional in adopting preventive measures.
He also commended participants for their continued support towards the cause, and for standing in solidarity with efforts aimed at eliminating HIV/AIDS.
Uganda has registered notable progress in the fight against HIV/Aids, with the national prevalence among people aged 15-49 declining to 4.9% in 2024 from 7.3% in 2010, while new infections have dropped from 96,000 to 37,000 over the period.