Sports 3 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Shs120 Million Prize Money for Olympic Day Tooke Run Announced
The upcoming Olympic Day Tooke Run in Bushenyi has announced a substantial Shs120 million in prize money, aiming to support Ugandan athletes and promote healthy lifestyles. The event, a collaboration between the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) and Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre (BIRDC), will feature multiple race categories. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/other-sport/olympic-tooke-run-announces-shs120m-prize-kitty-5483140
Organizers of the Olympic Day Tooke Run, slated for June 20 in Bushenyi, have unveiled a significant Shs120 million prize kitty. This initiative is a joint effort between the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) and the Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre (BIRDC), under the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID).
The substantial prize money will be awarded to male and female winners across various categories, including a 5km fun run, a 5km youth race for those 16 and under, a 10km individual race, and a 21km half marathon.
Rev. Professor Florence Isabirye Muranga, director general of PIBID/BIRDC and UOC’s nutrition ambassador, drew inspiration from biblical miracles to underscore the event’s mission. She highlighted the goal of sponsoring Ugandan athletes to the Youth Olympic Games, providing nutritional support to vulnerable groups, and encouraging healthy living through physical activity.
“We have athletes who go to represent our country and don’t have food or the food they are used to. We are very persuaded that this (partnership) is an opportunity for all people of goodwill to feed our own,” Professor Muranga stated.
The event aims to raise awareness about the nutritional benefits of Tooke products and their role in providing sustainable energy for athletes. While 6,000 kits are available at a subsidized Shs35,000, organizers acknowledge the need for further sponsorships to meet the broader goal of Shs1.7 billion for the entire initiative.
The largest share of the prize money, Shs72 million, will be distributed among the top finishers in the 21km race. Significant amounts are also allocated to the 10km and 5km races, with the U-16 category also featuring substantial awards. The 5km fun run will offer smaller, yet impactful, prizes.
This event marks a new benchmark for road racing prize money in Uganda, with organizers expressing gratitude for the support in nurturing local athletic talent. Following the run, an Olympic Week will feature educational and nutritional programs.