Written By | Alex Mbamanya
Rev. Prof. Florence I. Muranga with the team that will represent Uganda at Youth Olympic games in Dakar, Senegal
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Bushenyi
The much-anticipated Olympic Day Tooke Run in Bushenyi has gained momentum, with participants from different sectors across the Ankole region confirming their participation by flocking to kit-selling points.
This was evident on Tuesday when more than 800 running kits were sold on the very day of the launch at the PIBID/BIRDC headquarters in Nyaruzinga, Bushenyi.
Rev. Prof. Florence I. Muranga with the team that will represent Uganda at Youth Olympic games in Dakar, Senegal
The run, organised by PIBID/BIRDC in conjunction with the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), is part of efforts by the UOC to join the rest of the world in celebrating Olympic Day while also partnering with PIBID to promote awareness about proper nutrition for children in a bid to nurture future strong athletes.
At the launch event, running kits were purchased in large numbers by the Office of the RDC, the LCV Chairperson’s office, matooke cooperatives across the region, police, schools, universities in Bushenyi, among others. There will be physical selling points, but organisers have also created an online option for participants to confirm participation by registering and purchasing kits through the link: register.olympictookerun.com.
Rev. Prof. Florence I. Muranga, with some of the Matooke corperatives heads in Ankole
While addressing the audience, the Secretary BMC PIBID, who is also the Director General of PIBID/BIRDC and Nutrition Ambassador, Rev. Prof. Florence I. Muranga (PhD), expressed happiness over the overwhelming response and called for more support towards the initiative.
“Today, we are attempting something great as we come together to support our athletes at international standards, combat early childhood malnutrition, and build a sustainable nutrition ecosystem for all. I have accepted the challenge to professionally lead fundraising drives for our sportsmen and women to ensure that their nutritional needs are comprehensively covered at international standards while simultaneously fighting to end early childhood malnutrition. We may start humbly, perhaps with as little as a cup of TOOKE porridge, but together, we shall ignite a dynamic cogwheel of innovation because we cannot do this alone. We need everyone to come on board,” Muranga said.
She added that the journey had already been marked by important milestones, including partnering with the UOC during Olympic Day celebrations, moments that had affirmed one key truth — that sport and nutrition, when combined, become powerful tools for national transformation.
“The Olympic Day Tooke Run on June 20 in Bushenyi is therefore not just a race but also a celebration of health, innovation, and national pride,” she said.
Dr Muranga highlighted the objectives of the run as supporting Ugandan athletes who will participate in the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, in October; raising critical nutritional support for vulnerable populations, particularly children in the weaning phase; promoting healthy lifestyles through communal physical activities; showcasing TOOKE as a sustainable energy source for athletes; and supporting the East African Highland green banana.
According to Muranga, approximately Shs4.47 billion is being targeted, with Shs2.5 billion earmarked as initial investment towards the nutritional legacy programme, while Shs1.97 billion will be dedicated to the Olympic Day Run and support for Uganda’s team to Dakar.
The event is designed with a 21km category for elite runners, 10km for corporate participants, and 5km for children and elderly participants.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa has been confirmed as the chief runner, while top performers will receive cash prizes across different categories.
Torch Media Africa
