After a sale out of this year’s Kabaka Birth Day Run kits, runners who missed out on the kits have asked Buganda kingdom and sponsors Airtel-Uganda to double the number kits ordered as the run has grown bigger over time.
By Thursday, the 60000 kits ordered by Airtel had already been sold out, according to organizing committee chairman Robert Kabushega. Whereas many were willing to buy, they could not find the kits which prompted some members to take part in the Sunday run without kits.
“The Run has grown and organizers need to look into ordering for a double number of kits,” noted Stephen Sembuya, the Pink Foods and Buikwe South MP hopeful after completing the 21km race.
The over 60000 runners were flagged off by the Kabaka (King) of Buganda His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II on eary Sunday morning.
Kabaka was in company of his Kakikiro (Premier) Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, Airtel-Uganda Managing director VG Somasekhar, Brand and marketing manager Remmie Kisakye and PostBank head of branding and communication Jackie Tuhakanizibwa.
” I thank everyone who is here to run as we raise funds to help in the fight against sickle cell disease. I would advise couples to test for the sickle cell disease before marriage,” Kabaka told runners.
The runners took part in 5km, 10km and 21 kms races respectively. The annual Run is meant to celebrate Kabaka’s birthday whilst running for life.
This year, the run came ten days before the official 64th Kabaka’s Birthday celebrations due April 17 in Ndejje, Luwero.
The Run that intends to alleviate Sickle Cell Disease through raising funds and awareness saw over 140,000 Sickle Cell testing kits donated to Uganda National Health laboratory Services procured by Airtel-Uganda from the proceedings of last year’s run. Uganda breweries, Rwenzori and BBS TV were the other sponsors.
