This year’s Kabaka Birthday Run will be used to raise money for sickle-cell patients.
This was announced by the Katikkiro of Buganda kingdom, Charles Peter Mayiga, during the launch of the fourth edition of the run last week.
According to Mayiga, the Kabaka Birthday Run slated for April 9, continues to confirm the kingdom’s commitment to providing health-care for the greater good of Ugandan communities that cannot ordinarily afford it.
“For all the previous runs, the proceeds have gone to addressing different health needs,” Mayiga said. The money raised from the last three editions went to treating women that had suffered from the fistula condition.
In 2014 and 2015, Shs 50 million and Shs 70 million was raised respectively for fistula patients. In 2016, Shs 115 million was collected from the thousands of well-wishers that took part in the run.
Meanwhile, this development has attracted new partners: the ministry of health and the Uganda Sickle-cells Foundation. Speaking at the event, health minister Jane Ruth Aceng explained that over 25,000 babies are born each year with sickle-cells. And 80 per cent die before their fifth birthday, contributing to 15 percent of infant mortality.
In addition, Uganda’s total population has 13.3 per cent of its people with sickle-cells. So, any funds raised to provide them with medicine would go a long way in improving their lives to live longer according to Aceng.
Commenting on the partnership, Anwar Soussa, Airtel Uganda managing director, said sponsoring such a noble cause will help Ugandans appreciate the suffering sickle cell patients.
“We pride ourselves in partnerships that create a positive impact on society,” Soussa said.
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