The 2025 Airtel Kabaka Birthday Run was nothing in need of monumental, with over 120,000 contributors braving heavy downpours to participate in a trigger near their hearts—the combat to finish HIV/AIDS by 2030.
The occasion which marks the twelfth version of this important well being initiative, occurred at Lubiri and was flagged off by His Majesty Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, on his seventieth birthday celebrations.
Held below the theme “Males In opposition to HIV/AIDS to Save the Lady Youngster,” the occasion reaffirmed the Buganda Kingdom’s unwavering dedication to eliminating HIV/AIDS throughout the subsequent 5 years. The Kabaka Birthday Run has through the years advanced into certainly one of Uganda’s most impactful well being consciousness initiatives, tackling varied public well being points, together with sickle cell consciousness, fistula prevention, and now, HIV/AIDS.
Regardless of the heavy rain, 1000’s of Ugandans from all walks of life participated within the run, showcasing the energy of group solidarity.
Talking on the occasion, Airtel Uganda’s Managing Director, Soumendra Sahu, praised the overwhelming turnout, emphasizing the facility of collective motion within the combat in opposition to HIV/AIDS.
“It’s inspiring to see 1000’s of Ugandans as soon as once more unite for a trigger that instantly impacts their communities,” stated Sahu. “Each certainly one of us right here is right here for a brother, a sister, a good friend, a stranger, and household at massive. Our longstanding partnership with the Buganda Kingdom is a testomony to our dedication to sustainable growth, notably within the area of well being.”
Sahu additionally highlighted the challenges confronted by world well being initiatives, notably the current funding shortfalls which have slowed progress within the combat in opposition to HIV/AIDS. “The current world funding challenges are hindering our progress in direction of ending HIV by 2030,” he acknowledged. “This underscores the pressing want for a collective effort to strengthen native initiatives just like the Kabaka Birthday Run, that are essential for reaching our purpose.”
A key focus of this 12 months’s run was the decision to actively contain males within the combat in opposition to HIV/AIDS, particularly in mild of alarming statistics from the 2024 UN AIDS World Replace. The report revealed that adolescent women and younger girls aged 15-24 in Jap and Southern Africa nonetheless accounted for 27% of latest HIV infections. They had been discovered to be thrice extra prone to purchase HIV than their male counterparts. This information underscores the importance of participating males within the prevention efforts, as their involvement is essential within the combat to guard the weak, notably younger women.
The Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, additionally addressed the group, emphasizing the significance of the theme, “Males In opposition to HIV/AIDS to Save the Lady Youngster,” and underscoring the Kabaka Birthday Run as greater than only a birthday celebration. “This 12 months, we proceed to amplify our message, Males In opposition to HIV/AIDS to Save the Lady Youngster. The Kabaka Birthday Run is not only a celebration of His Majesty’s life however a rallying name to enhance public well being in our nation,” he stated.
Mayiga additionally took the chance to specific gratitude to Airtel Uganda, the occasion’s premium companion, for his or her continued assist in driving optimistic change in Uganda. “We recognize Airtel Uganda’s ongoing dedication, which has been instrumental in making an actual distinction within the combat in opposition to HIV/AIDS,” he added.
Via initiatives just like the Kabaka Birthday Run, the general public well being panorama in Uganda continues to evolve, with a concentrate on lowering the illness burden and dealing in direction of an AIDS-free nation. Airtel Uganda’s Sahu concluded by reiterating the corporate’s dedication to supporting initiatives that enhance the lives of Ugandans inside and past the Kingdom.
“Airtel Uganda stays dedicated to initiatives that positively affect the lives of Ugandans. The combat in opposition to HIV/AIDS requires collective motion, and we’re proud to face with the Buganda Kingdom and all Ugandans on this essential trigger,” Sahu stated.
Because the occasion drew to a detailed, it was clear that the 2025 Airtel Kabaka Birthday Run had not solely been a profitable celebration of His Majesty’s seventieth birthday but additionally a robust reminder of the collective accountability within the combat to finish HIV/AIDS by 2030. The rains could have soaked the contributors, however their dedication to the trigger remained unwavering, leaving a long-lasting affect on the hearts and minds of all who took half.
