David GOMBE
Hundreds of Ugandans have as soon as once more confirmed up in giant 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, collaborating 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 Woman Little one and the Combat to Finish HIV/AIDS by 2030,” calls on males to take a number one function within the battle towards HIV/AIDS.
Since its inception in 2014, the Airtel Kabaka Birthday Run has emerged as considered one of Uganda’s largest annual runs, championing well being causes reminiscent of sickle cell consciousness, fistula prevention, and now the battle towards HIV/AIDS. It is usually among the many largest distinctive charity runs globally.
Taldar, shared his enthusiasm for collaborating within the run and lauded Ugandans for his or her continued assist within the battle to finish HIV/AIDS.
“Since I arrived on this stunning nation, I’ve been hit with a wave of nostalgia. Ugandans are very completely satisfied and hospitable folks; they encourage you to belong. It’s inspiring to see hundreds of Ugandans unite in such nice numbers, for a noble trigger, HIV/AIDS, for which nearly each household has a scar. Every considered one of us is right here to make historical past as individuals in one of many largest efforts geared toward eliminating HIV/AIDS in Uganda by 2030. Our sturdy partnership with the Buganda Kingdom reaffirms our dedication to Uganda’s sustainable well being improvement. Collectively, we are able to remove HIV/AIDS by 2030,” he mentioned.
The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, echoed the theme for this 12 months’s run, reminding Ugandans of their function within the battle towards HIV/AIDS:
“This 12 months, our key message could be very clear: Males for Good Well being to Save the Woman Little one and the Combat to Finish HIV/AIDS by 2030”. The Kabaka Birthday Run is just not merely a celebration of His Majesty’s birthday, however a wake-up name to accentuate our efforts within the battle for higher well being in Uganda. We recognize our long-time associate, Airtel Uganda, whose continued assist has been instrumental in making an actual distinction within the battle towards HIV/AIDS.”
By continued advocacy initiatives such because the Kabaka Birthday Run, Uganda could make regular progress in direction of attaining an AIDS-free technology.
“As Airtel Uganda, we stay dedicated to initiatives that positively affect the lives of Ugandans inside and past the Kingdom. The battle towards 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 response to the Uganda AIDS Fee, roughly 1.4–1.5 million Ugandans live with HIV, with an grownup prevalence fee 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 annually. This highlights the necessity for continued consciousness, pr evention, care, and remedy efforts to finish HIV/AIDS.
