community 25 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Nationwide Run Aims to Restore Dignity for Vulnerable Elders
A "Run Miles of Love for Our Elders" event has been launched to raise funds and awareness for elderly Ugandans facing poverty, illness, and neglect. The initiative seeks to provide essential support like medical care and housing improvements. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/run-launched-to-restore-hope-and-dignity-for-neglected-elderly-5509062
A significant nationwide campaign, “Run Miles of Love for Our Elders,” has been initiated with the goal of uplifting vulnerable elderly individuals across Uganda. Set to take place on August 1, 2026, at Kabale Municipal Stadium, the event is being organized by Save and Heal Uganda.
The primary objective of this charity run is to generate much-needed funds to assist senior citizens who are grappling with severe challenges. These include debilitating poverty, chronic health conditions, inadequate living conditions, and profound social isolation.
Save and Heal Uganda’s Executive Director, Shallon Ahakundire, highlighted at the launch event in Kampala that many older Ugandans, particularly in rural areas, endure hardship despite their lifelong contributions to families and national development. She emphasized that these citizens deserve to live with dignity, care, and hope.
While developmental programs often prioritize the young, older persons are frequently overlooked, facing issues like limited access to healthcare, loneliness, and abandonment. The funds raised will reportedly be channeled into providing medical treatments for those with chronic diseases and supporting the renovation of unsafe housing.
The campaign has garnered support from various entities, including corporate sponsors like MTN Uganda through MTN MoMo, which is also serving as a payment partner to ensure transparency. The Uganda Cycling Association, represented by its President Sam Muwonge, has lauded the initiative as a crucial intervention for this often-forgotten demographic. Graceous Tours and Travel has also pledged financial and logistical support.
Organizers anticipate over 10,000 participants and are appealing for broader support from companies, development partners, religious institutions, and the general public. Beyond fundraising, the run aims to foster a national dialogue on the escalating concerns surrounding Uganda’s aging population and to galvanize community responsibility for elder welfare.