Kabalega Independence Run 2025 – A Manifestation of Unity in Motion towards Community Wellness, Cultural Pride, and Youth Empowerment
Hoima City – Rukurato Grounds, October 4, 2025
At dawn, the city was already alive with expectation. The Kabalega Independence Run 2025 brought together running shoes, music, tradition, and community in a procession of wellness, remembrance, and forward-looking hope.
Runners of all ages gathered early at the Rukurato Grounds for warm-up exercises led by fitness coaches. The atmosphere was festive—families, youth, elders, UPDF officers, cultural leaders—everyone preparing for one of three race categories: a 2km family walk/run, a 5km fun run, and the more intense 10km distance. Each route threaded through scenic and historic parts of Hoima City, with hydration stations along the way, as well as medical tents, and cultural booths at the venue to energize participants and affirm that this was about more than just speed.
The start of the run was a moment of collective pride and symbolism. As the first runners crossed the line, crowds cheered, drums rolled, and Edging through the city streets, participants represented unity: young and old, urban and rural, tradition and aspiration. Afterward came the cool-down session, refreshments supported by Pepsi Uganda and Jibu Water, and health booths where attendees could receive first aid, health check-ups, and advice— supported by Uganda Redcross Society, City Medicals, and City Ambulance, and Medical Teams, as we well as a on-site blood donation drive by Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, reinforcing the wellbeing theme as central to the event.
On the main stage, local leaders addressed the crowd. Dr. James Isagara Kisoro, Executive Director of Kabalega Foundation, spoke of remembering Kabalega’s courage, resistance, and vision. Mayor Brian Kaboyo echoed the spirit of Hoima City’s growth and commitment to cultural identity. Representation from the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom added gravitas: royal family members, traditional leaders, political representatives—everyone reminded that this run is both a tribute and a promise.
Winners of the 10KM category were celebrated with both symbolic and tangible rewards. Top male runner Amanya Edson received a land title, donated by Oilland Real Estates—a powerful message about investing in community builders. Other winners received cash prizes, appliances, and public recognition, courtesy of various sponsors, including Bank of Uganda, which donated UGX 10 million towards youth innovation initiatives.
The winners awards ceremony was followed by a tour of the expo by a delegation of Kabalega Foundation Leadership, Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom Representatives, the Hoima City Council Lord Mayor, UPDF Representatives, among other sponsors and partners.
From Local crafts booths, to traditional cuisine food stalls, to government agencies such as NIRA, UBOS, and URSB showcasing services, to banks such as Centenary Bank, Equity Bank and Pride Bank showcasing their banking products and services, to construction infrastructure Corperations such as Roofings Uganda showcasing their diverse materials range, to eco-friendly technology companies such as Shell Gas, Stabex, U-Gas, Startimes, youth-led organisations like the Twekonyere Foundation showcased their social venture products, along with other agro-ecology products SMEs, live music performances, cultural dance—Hoima resonated with shared identity and resilience.
Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, a key sponsor of Kabalega Independence Week 2025, and a long-time partner in democracy and civic education was equally on ground to support policy engagement platforms at the expo—bridging cultural leadership with developmental dialogue.
With media coverage provided by Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), Nation Media Group, Capital FM, Spice FM, and various local outlets, broadcasting the energy of the event far beyond Hoima. The visibility they provided amplified voices from the community, that when people of the same minds come together, communities can be transformed.
As the sun set, the message reverberated: this is unity. Wellness isn’t just a personal pursuit; it’s communal. And legacy isn’t only about what was—but about what can be.