As early as 5 am, people of Buganda began arriving at the Kabaka’s Palace in Mengo ahead of the start of this year’s Kabaka’s Birthday Run under the theme of fighting the sickle cells also known as ‘nalumuli’ in Luganda. As is the custom, the runners started with a fitness session to prepare for the run.
At 6:30 am, the Katikiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga arrived at the palace and was welcomed by Buganda dignitaries and other officials. Later on, Ssabasajja Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II also arrived at his Mengo palace amidst a very cheerful large crowd of runners. The Kabaka was welcomed by the Katikiro of Buganda together with Ministers in the Buganda Government.
After the Kabaka assumed his Namulondo seat, in his speech, he advised young people who were not yet married to test first for sickle cells with their partners to help curb the disease and reduce on the mortality rate. He said “That is why we caution the youths who have plans of marrying or getting married to test first for sickle cells because it is very important. On the same note, we call upon the parents who have children with sickle cells to take good care of them in terms of feeding them with a balanced diet and most importantly take them for treatment. We hope that sometime to come, sickle cells will be no more."
Later, the Kabaka of Buganda flagged off different groups of runners starting with those of 25 km led by Prince David Kintu Wasajja who was the Chief Runner together with Robert Kabushenga who has been the Chairman of this year’s Kabaka’s Birthday Run. The second group was for 10 km and their Chief Runner was Princess Katrina Sangalyambogo. The third group was for 5 km with Prince Richard Ssemakokiro as their Chief Runner.
The flagging off of this year’s run made history as the whole Kabaka Anjagala road from the Kabaka’s Palace in Lubiri heading straight to Bulange Mengo was filled with runners dressed in red. The Kabaka’s Birthday run attracted various people including Members of Parliament led by the Chairman of the Buganda Caucus who explained how they were happy for the event and its organization. He said “People of Buganda and all those outside Buganda participate in these Kabaka’s Birthday Runs.” Another stated “We thank you so much. This is the strategy that will take Buganda to the top.” Francis Zaake Member of Parliament for Mityana Municipality said “Ssabasajja Kabaka has encouraged and led us very well, to the extent that whatever he says becomes law.”
Opposition politicians too, led by Dr. Kizza Besigye also thanked the Kabaka of Buganda for his pleasure of letting this happen as a contribution to the needy as regards to sickle cells. He said “You do what you can when it comes to making a contribution to rescue the country from the disease and everything else that harms us.”
Buganda Chiefs that head different counties also participated in the run. Also present was the Bunyoro Kingdom’s Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Minister Omukama Phillip Katakoire who said “I have come here to participate in the Kabaka’s Birthday run and to support the fight against sickle cells because we also have our people here in Buganda.”
The Buganda Minister for Youths, Sports and Leisure Hon. Ssekabembe Kiberu, in his address, thanked the people of Buganda for the massive participation towards the Kabaka’s Birthday Run of this year. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Diana Atwine also thanked the Kabaka of Buganda for supporting and partnering with the central government to improve the quality of healthcare services in the country. She said “We want to thank the Kingdom of Buganda very much and Ssabasajja Kabaka and all his officials for endeavoring to see that health issues have been put at the forefront.”
The Katikiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga thanked the people of Buganda who supported and participated in the Kabaka’s Birthday Run and asked them to keep their lives healthy. He said “Whoever will live and benefit from the Uganda of today, must be healthy so as to take charge.” The Katikiro further called upon all the people wherever they are to always keep peace and support all programmes and activities of Buganda. Saying “I would like you to keep your freedom, peace, and respect the laws.” He used an illustration of a person who doesn’t want you to eat a meal, wants to find a chance to tie you up with ropes. He went on to say “Therefore, keep up the peace so as to eat the meal”. Long Live Ssabasajja Kabaka.”
The main sponsors of these Kabaka’s Birthday Runs, Airtel Uganda together with other partners, committed themselves to continue to support all activities of Buganda. A Postbank representative said “As Post Bank, it is a big opportunity for us because it helps us reach our esteemed customers.”
The Uganda Police Force commented that “People have been compliant and their discipline has been very good.” For now, what is next is the preparation of the next disease to be addressed as this year has marked the end of the 3-year Kabaka’s Birthday Run focus on sickle cell disease with the previous 3-year focus having been around Fistula. It’s the Kabaka’s wish that focus should be placed on a disease for 3 years.