By Our Reporter

Buganda Kingdom has provided updates on the ongoing preparations of the upcoming Kabaka Birthday Run (KBR) that is slated for the 5th April 2020.

The press event held at Bulange on Wednesday, that preceded a physical fitness session, saw the KBR 2020 kit officially unveiled alongside an announcement of the 5km route that remained unchanged, a new route for the 10km race and some minor changes to the 21km route.

For the next three years, the Kabaka’s Birthday Run will be championed under the cause; ‘Men against AIDS to save the girl child’, which is aimed at driving awareness about HIV/AIDS and encouraging men to get tested, get treated and ultimately protect women against infection.

“Our vision is to re-position the kingdom at its rightful place, at the summit of social and economic development with people enjoying their rights and freedoms; but we cannot achieve that unless we are in good health,” The Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga noted.

Meanwhile, in December 2019, dfcu Bank signed a three-year partnership valued at over UGX, 500,000,000 with the Buganda Kingdom, making it the official Bank sponsor for the annual Kabaka Birthday Run.

According to dfcu Bank’s CEO, Mathias Katamba dfcu’s partnership with the Buganda Kingdom is geared towards driving a sustained understanding that testing for HIV is an essential gateway to HIV prevention, care and treatment.

“As we prepare for this year’s run it’s important for all of us to realise that we will be running for a great cause – a cause that transcends tribe, cultural beliefs, religious or political affiliations, social classes and any other differences we may have as Ugandans.” Katamba added.

Mayiga commended dfcu Bank for its continued support of the Kingdom’s initiatives adding that the kingdom is looking forward to an even bigger event this year targeting 60,000 runners up from 50,000 in 2019.

Tickets for 2020 Kabaka Birthday Run and kits priced at UGX 15,000.

Richard Byarugaba, the NSSF Managing Director addressing journalists.

By Our Reporter

NSSF Kampala 7 Hills Hash Run which has been launched for the 5th edition aims to raise Ugx 700 Million which will go towards renovating select public schools.

Announcing the Run at Mbuya Primary school, Richard Byarugaba, the NSSF Managing Director told journalists that the Fund is responding to a challenge every year to contribute to the wellbeing of the underprivileged communities.

“Most of the underprivileged children in Kampala attend these KCCA public schools so it is befitting that our intervention in Education goes towards improvement of learning conditions in these schools. There is no greater impact you can make on a child or community than through education,” he said.

He also added that in addition to KCCA public schools, proceeds from the Run will also benefit 2 other schools in East and Northern Uganda.

KCCA Executive Director Eng. Andrew Kitaka said that partnerships with institutions such as NSSF have gone along in supplementing Government efforts to improve learning conditions in schools.

“When we started this partnership with NSSF, our target was to replace all asbestos roofs in Kampala public primary schools. We are glad that we are almost at the tail end of this endeavor. However, we also realise that some structures in a very bad shape. That is why we propose to use some of the proceeds to renovate such structures,” he said.

The schools earmarked to benefit from the proceeds are Munyonyo Primary School, St Paul Nsambya in Kampala, and Adwari Primary School in Otuke District and Pioneer Primary School in Soroti.

Byarugaba called upon individual runners to sign up in large numbers to participate in this run, not only because it is for a noble cause but also an exciting and challenging race that runners will enjoy.

“We need to have over 5000 individual runners and participation from over 50 corporate companies if we are to realise our ambitious target this year. Corporate and group participation attracts very competitive packages while individual runners can register at only UGX 25,000,” he said.

Individuals can pay using mobile money through a short code *217*277#.

Slated for March 29th, the run will commence at Pearl of Africa Primary School in Nsambya. The route traverses the original hills of Kampala namely, Nsambya Nakasero, Kibuli, Old Kampala, Namirembe, Rubaga, and Lubiri and will cover a distance of 21km.

6 schools have so far benefited from the past editions. These include Nakivubo Settlement, Makerere University and St. Ponsiano Kyamula. Works are also scheduled to begin at Mbuya Primary school, St. Paul Nsambya, and Kampala School for the Physically Handicapped.

By Staff Writer

Fortebet clients in Bwera, Mpondwe and Kasese will take long to forget last weekend hundreds of gifts. Over 1000 clients received Fortebet’s precious gifts at Fortebet centres in the above areas.

The gifts, among others, included phones, jerseys, t-shirts, pens and wristbands. Fortebet also gave out reflector jackets to bodaboda riders in Bwera and Kasese in a bid to reduce their chances of being knocked especially during the night.

All the gifts were handed over by John Nanyumba, the company’s media manager.

 “I want to thank Fortebet for their kind heart. It is a great thing to win this phone because I came here with no expectation of getting it. I am also happy because even my friends have won some other gifts,” said the winner of the phone at Bwera centre.

Bodaboda cyclists at Kasese, who received reflector jackets, couldn’t hide their joy. “Fortebet has done for us something we shall never forget. It is the first betting company to give us these reflector jackets. On behalf of my colleagues, we are extremely grateful,” one Kassim, a bodaboda cyclist said on behalf of his colleagues just after receiving the jackets.

Talking to the clients at Kasese main centre, Nanyumba noted that, “We have come here to say thank you for choosing Fortebet. The gifts that we are going to give you today are a token of appreciation from team Fortebet.”

This weekend, Fortebet team will visit branches in Elegu, Adjuman, Pakele and Moyo. Dont miss out!   

Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda President, Dipu Ruprelia(c) addresses media. Looking on is Jimmy Akena(L), the President Uganda Motocross Club.

By Our Reporter

The Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) president has spoken out strongly against a section of motocross club members that have broken away to form their own association.

The breakaway faction which is led by former Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda deputy vice president, Barak Orland recently launched a new organization named the Motorcycling Association of Uganda (MAU).

The group announced their breakaway last month and has even gone ahead to draw a calendar for their activities this year, with their first event slated for later this month at Busiika.

Speaking to media on Friday, Dipu Ruparelia, the new FMU president, emphasized that they need to remain a united entity and work towards the promotion of motorsport within the country.

“We need to ensure that we remain a united entity and work towards the promotion of motor sport with in the country. We should be able to sit down and find a way to resolve this issue without fighting in the press.” Dipu Ruparelia said.

On his part, Jimmy Akena, the President Uganda Motocross Club told media that he is against the breakaway and insisted that the concerns of aggrieved motocross club members must be addressed within the confines of the set laws.

“I have only attended a meeting for all stakeholders and when the issue of breakaway was presented, I stood my ground and told them that everything done must be within the provisions of the constitution,” Jimmy Akena said.

Akena further revealed that they have met with the new FMU leadership and promised to resolve their issues amicably.

“FMU is the sole body affiliated to National Council of Sports and any other body formed right now is illegal. Any individuals participating in their events should know that their points won’t be recognized.” Dipu Ruparelia further warned.