KAMPALA — It was cold. It was wet. Despite a rainy and cool morning, over 6000 kids thronged the pavement for the annual Kampala Kids run.
The 6th edition of the annual run took place at Uganda Museum on Sunday morning.
However, the rain and muddy conditions made this year’s marathon all the more interesting.
It was a special Sunday morning as children between the ages of three and 14 years pushed past the pain to race in Kampala Kids Run for Safe drinking water in rural primary schools.
Accompanied by their parents and siblings, the children were flagged off from the Uganda Museum at about 7 am.
The race which included 1.5 km for ages between 3-8 and 3km for children aged 9-14 were highly competitive.
The race for the 1.5 Km was flagged off at 7:00 am by Minister of State for Sports Charles Bakabulindi at the Uganda Museum through Tuffnell drive, Mawanda Road, Kira Road and back to the venue whereas the 3km race started from Uganda museum through, Tuffnell drive to Kira Rd police traffic lights and back to the starting point.
Minister Bakabulindi said the kids run is in relation to Sustainable Development Goal NO.6: “Safe and affordable drinking water for all by the year 2030”, and SDG NO.3 which is: “Ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all at all levels.”
On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Sports, he pledged full support to this noble cause whose aim is to aid the Ministry in fulfilling its mandate.
He encouraged all parents to embrace StarTimes Kampala Kids Run and always ensure that they support their children to participate in the event whenever they are called upon.
The race is considered one of the most beautiful runs for children and according to participants, it lived to its billing with both kids and parents taking home lots of gifts from StartTimes, Riham, FoodHub, and Ruparelia Group of Companies.
Gifts included StarTimes Decoders, Riham Christmas hampers, and other gifts from Ruparelia Group of Companies.
Race organizers say funds raised will be donated to ensuring that there is safe drinking water for the children in rural schools.
StarTimes CEO Franklin Wang believes such an event will help discover future athletes as well as keep the young generation fit. “From this, it’s easy to shape future athletes for the country as well keep the young generation fit,” said Wang.
Away from running, kids enjoyed an astonishing performance from Felsita the Super Star, Tripple S, The Challenger, WakStars among others alongside a series of activities including bouncing castles, face painting, PlayStation videogames, and more.
Schools in and around Kampala participated in the event that was hosted by Golola Moses.
Key among the schools were Kampala Parents, Lohana Academy, Nakasero Primary School, City Parents, Green Hill, Lubigi Primary School, Entebbe Junior, Kampala International, and Kabojja Junior primary schools.
