Kabalega Independence Run 2024 Kit Unveiled with Focus on Environmental Conservation

Hoima City, September 22, 2024 — Kabalega Foundation, in collaboration with the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom and Hoima City Council, unveiled the Kabalega Independence Run 2024 Kit and held a media briefing yesterday September 21, 2024 at Hoima Resort Hotel. This year’s event builds on the inaugural run held in 2023, which celebrated 100 years of Omukama Cwa II Kabalega’s legacy since his passing. The theme for this year’s run, set for October 5, 2024, at Hoima Booma Grounds, is “Run to celebrate a hero’s legacy. Run for a green future.”

The organizers aim to create a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates heritage while promoting health and environmental awareness, with proceeds for this year going to environmental conservation initiatives, promotion of clean energy technologies, and enhanced environmental awareness in the community in a bid to combat climate change, a global emergency threatening millions of livelihoods.

Speaking at the launch, the Executive Chairman of Kabalega Foundation, Dr. James Isagara Kisoro, noted that this year’s theme is inspired by the urgent need to fight climate change. With oil and gas activities in the Bunyoro region boosting the national economy, it’s important to focus on tree planting to offset carbon emissions and protect our environment, among other interventions.

“When our communities can no longer rely on the conventional seasonal systems for their agricultural practice, when communities that have lived in their settlements for generations can no longer continue to live in these areas due to flooding, among many other effects of climate change, we need to collectively pay attention to this, and to sensitize and work with the very communities that face the brunt in combatting these effects for a better future.” Dr. James Isagara Kisoro noted on the cause for focusing Kabalega Independence Run 2024 on environmental conservation.

He expressed gratitude to all Kabalega Foundation partners and event sponsors who have been instrumental in the Foundation’s journey, from last year’s celebration of 100 years of Omukama Cwa II Kabalega’s legacy. He expressed optimism that, by working together again this year, they would make a lasting impact on the environment and create a better future for all through the Green Future Campaign programme, and called on players in the same sector to join them in this campaign.

He acknowledged and appreciated the contribution of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom toward the event as a key stakeholder and noted that the absence of representation was due to ongoing engagements in the kingdom where all critical offices were involved, but conveyed assurance of continued partnership and collaboration with the Kingdom in Foundation programmes.

The media fraternity and participants listening into remarks from speakers of the day.

In the same light, he also acknowledged all the other partners and sponsors in absentia who could not make it for the day’s launch in Hoima, thanking them for the commitment to work with the Foundation in on such initiatives.

“Last year, we had a year-long celebration of Omukama Cwa II Kabalega’s legacy, including the inaugural Kabalega Independence Run, the inaugural Kabalega Memorial Lecture, and the 100 Years of Kabalega Royal Dinner & Awards Gala. We are committed to continuing to host these events annually in line with our objective of leveraging the hero’s legacy to inspire positive social, cultural, and economic transformation in the community. During the year-long commemoration, we also conceived and designed the Kabalega Cultural Square legacy project, and in partnership with Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, we are working to actualize it as a landmark project denoting the 100-year commemoration.”

He noted that from last year’s run, the target of establishing the Kabalega Education Fund was achieved (www.kef.kabalegafoundation.org), with the Fund already making progress in book donations to identified target schools and supporting skills enhancement for employability and enterprise development stimulation within the community under the Community Skills Development Programme (CSDP) focusing on training participants, especially youth, women and persons with disabilities in number of practical skillsets that the Foundation is implementing in Hoima and Kampala (www.kabalegafoundation.org/csdp).

The event was attended by various stakeholders, including sponsors, partners, media representatives, representatives of the creatives industry and community leaders, with the Lord Mayor of Hoima City, His Worship Brian Kaboyo Adyeeri, as the chief guest.

The Mayor of Hoima City expressed gratitude to the organizers of the Kabalega Independence Run, emphasizing that the event not only honors the legacy of the great Omukama Cwa II Kabalega but also plays a key role in promoting Hoima as a growing city. He highlighted that Hoima has much to offer and believes the run will significantly help showcase the city’s potential to national and international audiences.

He also appreciated the government for creating more avenues that uplift the legacy of Omukama Kabalega, such as the Kabalega Industrial Park and Kabalega International Airport, noting that these initiatives lift the pride of Bunyoro as a community.

“This prestigious event not only celebrates the legacy of Omukama Kabalega but also showcases the city’s vast potential, highlighting its rich history and cultural heritage.”

According to Mayor Kaboyo, “The Kabalega Independence Run 2024 is a wonderful opportunity for our city to shine, demonstrating our capacity to host international events and promote our cultural identity.” He emphasized the significance of preserving the legacy of Omukama Kabalega.

“I’m happy to join in the run because we are helping fight the global climate crisis, promoting tourism in Hoima City, saving lives through blood donations, and promoting the legacy of Omukama Cwa II Kabalega, the legendary king and hero of our land from whom many draw inspiration.”

The mayor appreciated the sponsors, the creatives, and everyone who has partnered on this great cause, pledging continued support from Hoima City Council towards the success of the annual Kabalega Independence Run and Kabalega Foundation projects.

The Mayor urged the public to participate in the Kabalega Independence Run and emphasized the importance of donating blood at the event, noting that the blood collected is vital for hospitals around the city and the country, especially in supporting mothers during childbirth and other critical cases.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Matred Murungi, the CSR Manager at East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), noted that she was honored to represent the company at the launch of Kabalega Independence Run 2024. She expressed the company’s commitment to establishing meaningful collaborations with organizations such as Kabalega Foundation that are championing positive community transformation, especially in Hoima and key areas along the pipeline route, toward uplifting community livelihoods.

“EACOP believes in partnerships, and that’s why it’s involved in this year’s Kabalega Independence Run and is here to promote heritage, conserve biodiversity, and support initiatives that promote green living.”

“With the ongoing pipeline works, we acknowledge the effects of this activity on the environment, and that’s why we are joining this movement to pursue a green future. We also pledge more support for all the Green Future Campaign programmes.”

“We are excited that the event is happening in Hoima, where the oil pipeline is passing. We believe that the proceeds from this project will create long-term impacts, and as we plan to plant trees, it’s a pleasure to be part of this.”

She further noted that EACOP is committed to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection. They are planting 16,000 trees across 10 districts, with 30,000 in Hoima and Kikuube, in partnership with Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom and others; together, aiming for a sustainable future for generations to come.

Mr. Martin Kaahwa, the Vision Group representative, will speaking on behalf of the Vision Group Chief Executive Officer thanked Kabalega Foundation, the organizers, and their visionary leadership for championing community causes. He reaffirmed that, with this being the second year of partnership, Vision Group is proud to continue collaborating with Kabalega Foundation in their programs and disseminating information to create impact in the community.

Dr. Wambi Wilson, the Regional Manager of Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) in Mbarara, who represented the Director at the launch, thanked the organizers for hosting a highly impactful event for the community’s social, economic, and cultural well-being, as well as for community health, where participants get to exercise and donate blood—a crucial resource in medical emergencies.

He appreciated the community for supporting the collection of 100 units of blood at last year’s run, well above the average target of 57.7 units from standard blood donation events.

He also expressed great optimism that the annual Kabalega Independence Run will provide immense support as a platform for mobilizing blood for the newly constructed Blood Bank at Hoima Referral Hospital.

Dr. Wambi Wilson the Regional Manager – Mbarara represented the Executive Director, Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS)

“We now have a blood bank in the region. Initially, blood from this region would be sent to Kampala for checks and other needs, but now we have a fully-fledged regional blood bank. This annual event will greatly support us in mobilizing blood for the operations of this facility.”

As UBTS, we pledge to buy 100 running kits, which will be distributed to our participating staff members and the first donors, Mr. Wilson noted.

During the event, this year’s running kit was unveiled, available for UGX 25,000. Participants are encouraged to register online at www.kabalegaindependencerun.com/register.

The Chief Runner for this year’s event will be Hon. Matia Kasaija, the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development.

Several sponsors have already committed their support for the event, including:

• Roofings Uganda Ltd., which has pledged 10,000 seedlings for reforestation efforts.
• EACOP Uganda and Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company, providing logistical support.
• Hoima City Council, which is hosting the event at Hoima Booma Grounds.
• Prudential Uganda and SCOG Elite Uganda, also contributing logistical assistance.

Various media houses, including Vision Group (comprising Kabalega FM, TV West, New Vision, and Urban TV), Next Media Services (comprising NBS TV, NBS Sport, among others) and Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), will provide airtime for awareness creation and promotion. Additional partners such as Airtel Mobile Commerce Ltd., Adman Source Contacts, will assist with logistical support and outreach.

Some of the youth who attended the launch taking part in the mini tree planting activity that happened at Hoima Resort Hotel.

Moreover, Development Revolvers Ltd. will promote clean cooking technologies, while Albertine Waste Management Services will ensure sanitary services during the event. The Bunyoro Nursery Bed Association has pledged 1,000 seedlings to further support environmental initiatives.

A key highlight of this year’s run will be a blood donation drive organized by Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, which will call upon participants to donate blood to save lives. The Uganda Red Cross will provide first aid services, and City Ambulance will be on standby for emergencies. Security will be ensured by the Uganda Police Force, among others.

Individual volunteers in supporting this cause such as forester Bosco Kazimbiraine offered to provide technical support and training on tree growing and nurturing, underscoring the event’s commitment to environmental conservation.

The event was also attended by representatives of Abaana B’omuka, a local musicians’ group that will provide entertainment at the run, followed by a live concert session in the evening of the day of the run (October 5, 2024) at Hoima Resort Hotel Gardens. The concert ticket goes for UGX 10,000, offering 50% discounts to all those buying the Kabalega Independence Run kit.

The day ended ended with a mini tree planting activity in Hoima City spearheaded by the Lord Mayor – His Worship Brian Kaboyo Adyeri in company of the Executive Chairman, Kabalega Foundation – Dr. James Isagara Kisoro, sponsors and partners representatives, as well as communty members.

As the event draws near, the Kabalega Independence Run 2024 is set to foster community spirit while honoring the legacy of Omukama Cwa II Kabalega and advocating for a greener future.

The Hoima City Lord Mayor, His Worship Brian Kaboyo (Center – squatting) flanked by Dr. James Isagara Kisoro (2nd Right), Mr. Martin Kaahwa, the Vision Group Representative (extreme right), and Ms. Matred Murungi, the EACOP CSR Manager (extreme left) during the mini tree planting drive conducted yesterday

The run is expected to attract participants from across the country and beyond, fostering unity and promoting a sense of national pride. Mayor Kaboyo urged residents to participate in the upcoming run.

For more information and registration details, visit www.kabalegaindependencerun.com.

Join us in celebrating this important heritage and taking steps toward sustainability through the joy of running!