The 12th Kabaka Birthday Run has been launched officially, marking another exciting chapter in this annual favorite. The launch was held at the Buganda Kingdom headquarters in Mengo, Kampala, and it was graced by kingdom officials and Airtel Uganda officials, the main sponsors of the run. This year’s event, which takes place on April 6, will mark the 70th birthday of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II but at the same time focus attention on an important issue: the battle against HIV/AIDS. The Kabaka Birthday Run is not a race alone but a reflection of unity, health, and community spirit.

Each year, thousands of Ugandans lace up their running shoes to participate in this event, which not only honors the Kabaka but also raises awareness of serious health issues. This year, the run is more poignant as the country battles HIV/AIDS, particularly in the wake of the recent freezing of funds by the US government. Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga addressed the congregation at the launch with a forceful message. He urged that the gap left by the withdrawal of US government funding must be filled immediately.

“It is time to seek alternatives to bridge this gap. It is time for pragmatism. We must cut costs ourselves at the family and government levels,” Mayiga said. He implored the youth to be responsible towards their health and advised them to use condoms and, if they could, remain abstinent from sex. He also implored the government to take seriously the HIV/AIDS fight by committing more funds towards the health industry. Despite the difficulties, Mayiga was optimistic. “Since we have gone some distance, let us not lose hope.

We will win the HIV/AIDS war, but we have to be moving until this war is won,” he said. He further advised men to lead the charge in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS, citing the need for united forces in winning the battle against the epidemic. Airtel Uganda Human Resource Director Flavia Lwanga supported Mayiga’s sentiments. On behalf of the company’s Managing Director Soumendra Sahu, Lwanga cited progress in the battle against HIV/AIDS but stressed that much remains to be battled. “The HIV/AIDS prevalence in the country has decreased from 18% in the 1990s to currently 5%, and AIDS-related deaths have also decreased.”.

But we still have new infections, particularly among women and adolescent girls,” she added. Lwanga called on everyone to take part, emphasizing that it starts with individuals and then goes to families and communities. The question of funding was also raised by Sarah Nakku Kibuuka, the UNAIDS Country Community Mobilisation and Networking Adviser. She was worried about the impact of the freeze on US government funding, noting that the US had been financing over 68% of Uganda’s HIV/AIDS programs. “This is a huge gap that cannot be plugged within months,” Nakku said. She explained that while the Ugandan government contributes, the majority of this funding goes towards purchasing drugs, with other key areas like condoms, HIV testing kits, and voluntary male circumcision being underfunded.

During these deliberations, the running kit for the 12th Kabaka Birthday Run was announced. Priced at 20,000 shillings only, the kit is designed to make it possible for as many people to attend as is possible. It includes all the necessary items with which one will be able to run, reflecting the inclusiveness of the event. The Kabaka Birthday Run is not merely a commemoration of the Kabaka’s birthday; it is a call to healthier, more cohesive communities. It brings people from every segment of society together to run, walk, and volunteer for a good cause. This year, as runners take Kampala’s streets by storm, they will be running for the Kabaka and also for a HIV/AIDS-free world. As the countdown to April 6 begins, the fever is on. The Kabaka Birthday Run is more than a race—it’s a movement. It’s a reminder that together, we can overcome adversity, we can honor achievement, and build a brighter, healthier Uganda future. So put on your running shoes, climb aboard, and let’s make this year’s Kabaka Birthday Run the best ever!