Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom’s Empango marathon launched to support Hoima regional hospital’s cancer treatment with colposcopy

20 May 2025, 10:16 am

Byamukama Alozious

On May 16, 2025, the Bunyoro Kingdom launched its annual Empango Marathon at the office of the Omuhikirwa (Prime Minister), a highly anticipated event that has been supporting healthcare initiatives for nine years. This year’s marathon aims to raise funds to purchase a colposcopy, a critical machine for detecting cervical cancer, for Hoima Regional Hospital (RRH), a vital healthcare hub serving nine districts in the region.

According to Owekitinisa Andrew Byakutaga, the Prime Minister of the kingdom, the hospital has been working tirelessly to support lives in the region, but the lack of a colposcopy has been a significant challenge. “Hoima regional referral hospital has done well towards supporting life of the king’s subjects, acquiring the colposcopy would greatly enhance their services’’ he said during the launch.

The marathon is expected to draw participants from across the kingdom and beyond. The funds raised will support the purchase of the colposcopy, enabling RRH to provide better care and treatment to its patients.

Sponsors, including the Uganda National Oil Company, National Forestry Authority (NFA) who donated 5 million shillings, Jonard Conglomerate Investments Ltd represented by Kato Kugonza the company’s general manager, the function was also graced by the Assistant Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Hoima, James Kashaya also from East Division who expressed support for the initiative and acknowledged the government’s role in restoring the kingdom.

The colposcopy is a medical instrument that allows doctors to examine the cervix under magnification and bright light, helping to diagnose and treat potential problems, particularly those related to abnormal cell growth or early cervical cancer.

The Bunyoro Kingdom, under the leadership of Omukama Dr. Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I, also known as Amooti, has been committed to improving healthcare services in the region. The Empango Marathon has become a beacon of hope for many, showcasing the kingdom’s dedication to promoting healthcare and well-being.

Bunyoro kitara kingdom is composed of 9 districts including Masindi, Hoima, Kagadi, Kikube among others who also depend on Hoima referral regional hospital for health services. In my recent story, the acting Director Dr. Ibrahim Bwaga, a trained obstetrician said the hospital serves a vast population of approximately 3.5 million people across eight districts that make up Bunyoro region, including Kakumiro, Kagadi, and Kikube. The hospital’s bed capacity currently stands at 267.