By Nasser Kasozi
Uganda’s biggest banks DFCU has taken a quick mark to partner in support the activities of Buganda kingdom to ensuring the smooth organization of the 2020 Kabaka’s birthday run with sponsorship package that will see them being the official banking partners of the run to ensure its successful preparations.
After the organizing committee officially unveiled the next edition of the Kabaka’s birthday run theme for 2020:Theme:“Men against AIDS to save the girl child”, the organizers have yet again got another boost with the entry of DFCU as the official banking partner after airtel Uganda renewed its sponsorship to the program.
The bank announced a three-year partnership that will see the institution becoming the official bank sponsor for the Annual Kabaka Birthday Run.
The sponsorship unveiling happened at the Buganda Kingdom offices in Bulange, Mengo where DFCU Bank was represented by the CEO, Mathias Katamba who signed an agreement and handed over a UGX 562,700,000 cheque to the katikiro of Buganda and the Kabaka’s birthday run 2020 organizing committee members.
For the next three years, the Kabaka’s Birthday Run will be championed under the cause; ‘Men against AIDS to save the girl child’, which is aimed to drive awareness about HIV/AIDS and encouraging men to get tested, get treated and ultimately protect women against infection.
This partnership is in line with the bank’s Corporate Social Investment intervention area of maternal & child health in the context of HIV/AIDS.
Speaking during the official unveiling, DFCU Bank’s CEO, Mathias Katamba said;
“Despite the significant progress in the last decade resulting in a 58% decrease in AIDS-related deaths and 57% decrease in new infections, there is a need for more collaborative effort to drive awareness and testing.
As a bank we believe this partnership with the Buganda Kingdom will ensure a sustained understanding that testing for HIV is an essential gateway to HIV prevention, care and treatment. This is in line with our commitment to the long-term wellbeing and uplifting of the communities in which we operate,” Katamba said.
The Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga welcomed the Bank for its continued support to Buganda causes and commended its commitment to joining the Kingdom in the fight against HIV/AIDS an improving the welfare and standard of Ugandans and the subjects of the King of Buganda.
“The Kabaka Birthday Run has been growing in stature and impact, in terms of tackling different social issues, over the last six years. For the next three years, we will hold the Kabaka Birthday Run with the intention of addressing HIV/AIDS.
Katikiro Mayiga said, Obwa Kabaka Bwa Buganda believes that with more partners like DFCU Bank, and Airtel committing to supporting the causes of the Kingdom it is possible that many people, companies and organizations will contribute significantly towards the fight against HI/AIDS and improving the welfare of the subjects of the Kabaka of Buganda.
I thank DFCU Bank for joining this cause and together we will secure our children’s future,” Said Katikiro Peter Mayiga.
In 2019, the Kabaka Birthday Run recorded total participation of over 50,000 runners, placing it among the top five Runs in Africa.
Since its inception, over UGX 1Billion has been raised and donated to selected causes including Fistula Awareness and treatment as well as Sickle cell awareness and testing many people’s lives have been touched upon,treated,cared for and improved, others have been inspired, connected that enhanced doing business and together we foster development of Buganda and the our country Uganda.
Katikiro Mayiga concluded by saying that many other partners have expressed interest to sponsor the 2020 Kabaka Birthday run and the persons and organizations will be unveiled in the near future.
