Rwenzori Water has announced Shs 170 million sponsorship of the Rwenzori Marathon scheduled to take place on Saturday September 3, 2022, in Kasese.

CCBU joins other sponsorship partners including Jumia, a leading online retailer, who will sell tickets at Shs50,000 each.

“Registration is now open on the Jumia online shop. You can purchase your tickets and we will deliver your kits to your doorstep within Kampala, or you can choose to pick them up in Kasese,” said Shakib Nsubuga, Jumia’s Expansion Manager.

The Rwenzori Marathon will consist of a 42 km full marathon, a 21km half marathon and 5km fun run. The marathon is open to the general public, both amateurs and professionals.

“It goes without saying that the Rwenzori brand was inspired by the natural beauty of the Rwenzori Mountains. It stands tall, magnificent and breathtaking which is reflected in the Rwenzori brand. This marathon affords runners the opportunity to enjoy its beauty while keeping fit. Kasese district has a lot more to offer and no one should miss-out on this experience,” said Isaac Sekasi, Business Development and Commercialization Director at CCBU.

“As part of our business sustainability initiatives, environmental protection is at the core of our business operation. The Rwenzori Marathon gives us the opportunity to promote this region that represents our roots. We are more than excited to be a part of this,” he added.

The Rwenzori Marathon aims at promoting sports tourism, fostering healthy lifestyles, and highlighting the importance of caring for the environment. It seeks to raise awareness of the iconic Rwenzori Mountain ranges.

“I climbed the Rwenzori Mountains recently and the beauty is indescribable. The marathon will help draw attention to this resource and increase tourism,” said Equator Hikes Director, Amos Wekesa.

With about 2000 running enthusiasts and professional athletes expected to be at the foot of the Rwenzori range, the marathon will represent an exciting new challenge to Ugandan and foreign runners alike.

Wekesa announced Shs42m in prizes for the marathon runners courtesy of Standard Chartered Bank. Shs5m, 4m, 3m, 2m and 1m prizes are allocated to the top five runners in the 42km full marathon for both men and women. The top three male and female athletes in the 21km half marathon will bag Shs3m, 2m and 1m respectively.

Other partners for the Rwenzori Marathon include UNDP, Tusker Lite and Rocket Health.

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Lawmakers have recommended reducing the age of beneficiaries of the Social Assistance Grant Empowerment (SAGE) from 80 years to 70 years.  

This was contained in the report of the Committee on Equal Opportunities on the state of equal opportunities in selected sectors and affirmative actions that was adopted during plenary sitting on 16 August 2022.

The report further recommended affirmative action for women by reducing the age of the beneficiaries of SAGE from 80 years to 65 years.

The Committee Chairperson, Judith Alyek said that women age faster than men due to hard work as well as effects of childbearing.

“There should be annual increment to the monthly payment of Shs25,000 by at least 10 per cent due to inflation rate. Evidence from the SAGE pilot shows that even such small payment, if made regularly make a huge difference to the lives of poor and vulnerable individuals and families,” Alyek said.

Hellen Kahunde (NRM, Kiryandongo District) said that the life expectancy of Ugandan women is low and therefore, calls for reduction of age of the SAGE beneficiaries.

“Very few of our people live to celebrate the 80th birthday. If government has resources, they should consider reducing the age,” she said.

Oyam District Woman MP, Santa Alum said that women can only benefit from the SAGE when the age is lowered.

“When you look for women who are 80 years, you will not find them. If this age could be reduced to 65, many women will benefit,” she said.

The Committee also recommended that the Ministry of Public Service should ensure that every public office should have sign language interpreters arguing that other people with disabilities miss out on services due to communication challenges.

“Government should introduce strategies to ensure that no one is left behind while providing essential services to the community,” read the report in part.

Alex Ndeezi (NRM, PWDs) welcomed the report but urged the Ministry of Education to expedite construction of special education schools as promised by President Museveni 10 years ago.

“The President promised to construct 10 schools in the 10 original districts but up to now, only two have been constructed. I Implore the Minister of Education to have these schools captured in the budget for next financial year,” he said adding that, ’we have more than one million deaf people and they cannot access public services. This is the time to stand firm and ensure that the Public Service Ministry captures this in the budget framework paper in the next financial year’.

The report also observed that whereas government started the student’s loan scheme to increase access to higher education, there is no regional balance in the awards of the loans, especially for Northern, Eastern and Karamoja with the lowest number of beneficiaries.

“Students loan scheme should be made accessible to all students that intend to borrow the fund for further studies and more information about the loan scheme be given to the public to enable accessibility,” Alyek said.

Maximus Ochai (NRM, West Budama North County) called for affirmative action in the education grants and bursaries for the needy saying that the students loan scheme presupposes that all can afford to pay it back.

“I propose that we add that grants be given to those from very poor backgrounds as long as they have the capacity and will to study,” Ochai said.

Kumi District Woman MP, Christine Apolot blamed the regional imbalance on access to the students loan scheme to lack of information.

“Information on the loan scheme is limited and yet it reaches the people late. The process should be decentralized. Resident District Commissioners should be given airtime on radio to tell people when to apply,” she said.

Kashari South County MP, Nathan Itungo proposed consideration of students of arts subjects as beneficiaries of the loan as opposed to only students studying science subjects.

“This scheme does not target the rural poor. It should include even arts students, after all it is a loan that will be paid back,” said Itungo. 

Chief Opposition Whip, John Baptist Nambeshe, however, said that the affirmative action programmes of government were not well planned and felt.

“They are designed as token packages but not empowerment. They are highly partisan and that is why they end up being abused,” said Nambeshe.

He also tasked the Minister of Education to provide a list of the beneficiaries of the students loan scheme to enable Parliament ascertain the actual beneficiaries.

The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi said that government will assess the financial implication of lowering the age of SAGE beneficiaries.

“We are discussing this and we shall make recommendations to Cabinet. I want to assure you that the affirmative action projects are existent based on clear guidelines. There is no prejudice in respect to access, that is why members have appreciated and made proposals to make sure they are either scaled up or increase in accessibility,” she said.

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The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa has revealed that the government of Uganda will involve religious leaders in the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and ensure transformation of their livelihoods.

Nankabirwa made the revelation while speaking at the thanksgiving for the Archbishop of Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu’s 60th birthday in Namirembe.

“As the government, we know how important religious leaders are and the important role they play in community transformation. In the Parish Development Model, we will ensure that they are supported individually so that their families can be equally transformed,” said Nankabirwa.

While attending the thanksgiving service, the Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira emphasized the need for thanksgiving in celebration of every year added.

“Everytime God adds you another year, you need to remember and give thanks for the far the Lord has brought you, remember and repent and pray for the way forward in your life,” said Bishop Luwalira.

He added, “We need to celebrate someone when he or she still lives to show that we value that person, use the opportunity to reflect, rejoice and affirm our gratitude to God for what that person has achieved. It is the working of God that He has lifted Archbishop Kaziimba from no where to sit with Kings and to shepherd His Church.”

Mama Margaret Kaziimba thanked God for raising her husband from a Lay Reader to Archbishop of Church of Uganda.

“God knew us from the beginning. When I was marrying my husband, I never imagined what he would ever become. From the choir to lay reader, priest, Bishop and now Archbishop. It’s only God’s blessings. My only duty has always been going on my knees to pray for him to be successful in ministry,” said Maama Margaret Kaziimba.

The Archbishop’s children led by Capt. Enock Kaziimba lauded their dad (Archbishop Kaziimba) for being a role model and pledged to continue making him proud.

“Because of your testimony and integrity, you have raised us to be God fearing and respected people. You are our greatest role model and we look up to you always,” noted Capt. Enock.

In his remarks, Archbishop Kaziimba attributed his successful ministry to salvation.

“I thank God for the gift of salvation. It is only salvation that has brought me this far. There is no other reason why I would be where I am other than that precious gift. I can’t thank God enough,” said Archbishop Kaziimba.

The thanksgiving service was organized by friends of Archbishop Kaziimba led by Governor Emmanuel Katongole of Quality Chemicals who commended him for being a unifier and a father who does not segregate along tribal, political and religious affiliation.

The Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Kampala Rt Rev Dr. Hanington Mutebi; the Provost of All Saints Cathedral Kampala, The Very Rev Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye; the Provost of St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, The Very Rev. Canon. Jonathan Kisawuzi Ssalongo; and the Assistant Executive Director of Words of Hope Ministries Uganda, Rev Godfrey Kyome led the Service.

The function was attended by the Archbishop’s friends, relatives, clergy and members of the Provincial Secretariat led by Rev Canon William Ongeng, the Provincial Secretary.

After the thanksgiving Service, friends of the Archbishop hosted the guests for dinner.

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