Kabaka launches 2025 birthday run with thousands, despite downpour

6 April 2025, 1:23 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Kabaka of Buganda, His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, arrived at Mengo Palace at around 7:00 AM to send off thousands of participants in the 5-kilometre, 10-kilometre, and 21-kilometre races. The Kabaka was accompanied by his sister, Agnes Nabaloga, Prince David Kintu Wasajja, Prince Jjunju Kiweewa, Prince Richard Ssemakookilo, and other leaders of the kingdom. This is the 12th edition of the run.

The focus of this year’s event is to combat HIV, with a call for men to take the lead in protecting young girls. A recent report from the Uganda AIDS Commission stated that most people infected with HIV are girls aged 14 to 25.

The Katikiro of the Kingdom, Charles Peter Mayiga, on behalf of the Baganda, thanked the Kabaka’s subjects and well-wishers worldwide for their participation in the fight against HIV. “The Kabaka has thanked you for braving the rain and coming to participate in the 2025 Kabaka Birthday Run. He has also emphasised that men should take the lead in this fight. We only have one enemy, and that enemy is HIV, so we must fight it and not allow anyone to divert us from the main goal,” he said.

Bishop James Bukomeko Ssalongo of Mityana Diocese, Church of Uganda, was the chief runner, joined by Hon. Lumu Richard of Mityana South and Mityana District Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa in Ssabagabo Sekanyonyi, in Ssingo. The team was led by the understanding that those unable to attend the main event at Mengo Palace should run from their respective regions. This call was respected not only by participants in Uganda but also by those in the diaspora. The Kabaka’s representative in the Pacific Northwest, United States of America, Engineer Moses Ggayi Mayanja, flagged off the Kabaka’s subjects and well-wishers at Wapako Park in Tacoma City.

The Uganda AIDS Commission has been encouraging people to test for HIV before engaging in any sexual activity. “Even healthy-looking people could have HIV. Test for HIV together and know together. You can only confirm someone’s status by testing. If you see a red line at the C, it is a negative result. If you see two red lines—one at the C and one at the T—it is a positive result,” they explained. They added that if you are positive, don’t panic or endanger yourself, but instead visit the nearest qualified health facility for guidance. Uganda is one of the African countries producing local antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, which are available free of charge in both public and private health facilities, according to the Ministry of Health. The global target is to end HIV by 2030.