ANNUAL KABAKA’S RUN RAMPS UP THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS
The Kabaka Birthday Run has contributed to a sharp decline in HIV infections over the last five years having the Buganda region making the most rapid progress in reducing infections
#OmutimaOmugabi
#KutoaNiMoyo
The yearly marathon was held under the theme “Men against AIDS to Save the Girl Child”, with the aim of continuing to create awareness about HIV/AIDS.
The Kabaka Run is an annual marathon that is held in celebration of the King of Buganda Kingdom’s birthday, although for the past two years it had been put on hold to prevent the massive spread of Covid-19.
The marathon is usually organized around a theme. This year, like in previous years, the marathon aimed to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS by urging men to get tested, treated, and eventually protect women from infection, working under the theme "Men Against AIDS to Save the Girl Child."
Kabaka Mutebi was appointed the Africa Goodwill Ambassador by UNAIDS in 2017 to rally his subjects to end HIV/AIDS. The Kabaka launched an HIV advocacy campaign dubbed ‘Men are Stars (Abaami Munyeenye)’ aimed at mobilizing men and boys between 15 and 49 years to access HIV services in 25 districts worst affected by the HIV endemic.
It was suitably graced by the presence of the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Ms. Winnie Byanyima, who lauded the Kabaka for his role in the fight against the disease. “The Kabaka Birthday Run has contributed to a sharp decline in HIV infections over the last five years having the Buganda region making the most rapid progress in reducing infections,” Ms. Byanyima said. According to current statistics, 90 percent of men who have tested positive for HIV in Buganda are now on treatment, up from about 64 percent five years ago.
Over 80,000 participants showed up for the event, coming from Mukono, Luwero, even as far as Masaka and were flagged off by the Kabaka himself from the Mengo palace. The run was sponsored by Airtel, New Vision and Bukedde. The Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga encouraged people to have regular checkups to know their HIV/AIDS status and if found positive to begin the treatment that has proven with many examples in Uganda to prolong life.
To read the full articles, visit the links here: https://ubc.go.ug/2022/07/04/the-67th-kabaka-birthday-run/