news 12 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Thousands Join 13th Kabaka Birthday Run to Promote Health and HIV Fight
Thousands of Ugandans participated in the 13th edition of the Kabaka Birthday Run on Sunday, marking Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi's 71st birthday with a massive turnout under clear skies. The event emphasized men's role in good health to protect the girl child and end HIV/AIDS by 2030, highlighting progress and ongoing challenges in Uganda's HIV response. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/thousands-attend-kabaka-birthday-run-5421432
On Sunday, thousands of runners gathered at Mengo Lubiri for the 13th Kabaka Birthday Run, celebrating Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II’s 71st birthday. Unlike previous years, the event enjoyed dry weather, though participants waited until 7:40 am for the Kabaka’s arrival amid loud cheers.
His Majesty flagged off the races at 8 am using a flag with Buganda and Uganda emblems, launching the 21km half-marathon, 10km race, and 5km mass run. The theme, ‘Men for Good Health to Save the Girl Child and the Fight to End HIV/Aids by 2030,’ underscored the Buganda Kingdom’s ongoing campaigns against HIV/AIDS and fistula.
Buganda’s Katikkiro, Charles Peter Mayega, urged youth to avoid risky behaviors and maintain discipline in the HIV fight. He stressed unity and loyalty to the kingdom’s values, noting the event’s evolution since 2014 from a local race to a national health platform.
Uganda has seen HIV prevalence drop to 4.9% in 2024 from 7.3% in 2010, with new infections falling to 37,000 and over 1.3 million on antiretrovirals. Yet, adolescent girls and young women remain vulnerable, prompting calls from Nation Media Group Uganda’s MD Susan Nsibirwa for media to address root causes like poverty and gender-based violence.
Airtel Uganda reported all 130,000 kits sold out despite a price hike to Shs25,000, with participation spanning Buganda’s counties and the diaspora. Corporate leaders from I&M Bank and Uganda Baati praised the run’s role in behavior change, while youth ambassador Serena Abigail Makumbi called for vigilance.
Last year’s event raised about Shs2.9 billion for sensitization, testing, and awareness.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)