The 2026 Olympic Day Tooke Run was launched on Monday, April 27 at the Sheraton Hotel.
The Olympic Day Tooke run is an initiative born out of a strategic partnership between the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (BIRDC) and the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC).
It was announced during the launch, that this year’s Tooke run will take place on June 20 in the South Western district of Bushenyi, featuring a competitive race alongside broader community participation activities. Among those community activities, will be the extended sensitization about the purpose played by proper nutrition in sport excellence.
According to Professor Florence Isabirye Muranga, Director General of the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development, and Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre (BIRDC), when sport and nutrition are combined, they become a powerful tool for national transformation.
While speaking during the Tooke Run launch, Muranga highlighted that the initiative goes beyond mere running and the athletics. She described it as a holistic approach to development: “We learn by embracing the science of nutrition and the innovation behind Tooke products. And we discover the power of Uganda’s own resources to fuel athletes, nurture children and strengthen communities.”
This year’s run aims to raise Shs 2.5 billion, with Shs 1.97 billion specifically dedicated to the Olympic Day Tooke run. The proceeds from the initiative are expected to support Ugandan athletes as they prepare for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this July, and the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, this October.
Notably, the event is positioned as a celebration of health, innovation and national pride. It also commemorates Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, while promoting proper nutrition for Team Uganda and strengthening early childhood feeding practices across communities.
Through this initiative, Muranga emphasized that Uganda is laying a strong foundation for excellence both on track and in everyday life, building a lasting legacy where sport and nutrition walk hand in hand to uplift the nation.
Muranga underscored the fact that achieving sports excellence requires more than talent and training alone. She noted that to compete at the highest global levels, athletes must be supported by scientifically grounded nutrition.
“The human body requires high-quality fuel, particularly carbohydrates and healthy fats, to sustain energy,” Muranga said.
She added that these nutrients are stored as glycogen in muscles and the liver, enabling endurance, delaying fatigue, and maximizing stamina during both rigorous training and competition.
In addition, Muranga said that intense physical activity causes micro-tears in muscle tissue, making proper post-workout nutrition essential for recovery. She explained that consuming high-quality nutrients provides the building blocks needed to repair these tears, build new muscle fibres, and significantly reduce recovery time between demanding sessions.
Muranga also emphasized that proper hydration and electrolyte balance are critical in regulating body temperature, lubricating joints, preventing muscle cramps, and maintaining healthy cardiovascular function during exertion.
