By Lozio Tamale,
BULANGE, MENGO
As the Buganda Kingdom prepares to celebrate the 71st birthday of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the annual Kabaka Birthday Run, organized to fight HIV/AIDS has received a major boost from President Yoweri Museveni.
Through Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, head of the Office of the National Chairman of the NRM, the President donated running kits valued at 15 million Uganda shillings to support the cause.
Hajjat Namyalo and her delegation were on Wednesday morning received by the Kingdom’s Prime Minister (Katikkiro), Charles Peter Mayiga, at Bulange Gardens in Mengo to handover the funds.
While delivering the President’s message, Namyalo applauded the Buganda Kingdom for spearheading the fight against HIV/AIDS through the annual run. She expressed optimism that if all stakeholders work together, the goal of eliminating the disease by 2030, as earlier directed by the Kabaka will be realized.
“President Museveni’s commitment towards fighting HIV has never changed,” Namyalo told the gathering. She also thanked the Katikkiro for consistently welcoming her office to participate in the kingdom’s initiatives.
In his response, Katikkiro Mayiga expressed gratitude to the Office of the National Chairman for always joining Buganda’s activities without hesitation.
“All politicians should copy Namyalo. In whatever she is doing, her kingdom comes first. We can change religions and political parties, but we cannot change our tribes,” Mayiga said.
He also thanked President Museveni for spearheading the fight against corruption in the country.
Later, Hajjat Namyalo officially received the running kits and promised to distribute them to the Bazzukulu to enable them to participate in the run dedicated to curbing the spread of HIV.
Since assuming leadership of the Office of the National Chairman, Namyalo has consistently joined the Buganda Kingdom, not only for the Kabaka’s Birthday Run but also for other community-uplifting activities, strengthening the relationship between the ruling party and the kingdom.
