By Musa Mbogo
The Buganda Kingdom in partnership with Airtel Uganda has today February 18 launched the 13th edition of the Kabaka Birthday Run at Bulange, Mengo, ahead of the main run set for April 12, 2026.
The launch was led by Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, who also unveiled the official 2026 Kabaka Birthday Run kit.
The event brought together Kingdom officials and all partners.
This year’s run will be held under the theme: “Men for Good Health to Save the Girl Child and End HIV/AIDS by 2030.”
Speaking at the launch, Mayiga said the run remains a powerful tool in the fight against HIV.
“Awareness, engagement and mobilization are the strongest forces against HIV/AIDS. The Kabaka’s Birthday Run helps us send the right messages to our people, from the grassroots to those in authority,” he said.
He added that the voice of has encouraged people to test for HIV, take their medication and live responsibly.
“When the Kabaka added his voice, people took the message seriously — abstaining from risky behavior, testing their status and taking their ARVs,” Mayiga said.
The Katikkiro called on men to take the lead in the fight against HIV by protecting the girl child, in line with this year’s theme. He also urged the public to buy the run kits, which have been launched and are now available on the market at Shs20,000.
Airtel Uganda Chief Executive Officer Soumendra Sahu said the run has grown into one of Africa’s biggest charity runs.
“We started with about 1,000 runners and last year we crossed 120,000. About Shs 2.4 billion was raised to support the fight against HIV and AIDS,” Sahu said.
He called on Ugandans to join the 2026 run.
“When we wear this kit, we are not just runners — we are advocates. Let us run for our children, our families and a future free from HIV,” he added.
UNAIDS Senior Adviser Kim Gustavsen said Buganda has recorded major progress because of the Kabaka Birthday Run.
“Between 2020 and 2024, new HIV infections in Buganda dropped by 21 percent. This is due to the strong leadership of the Kingdom and its partners,” Gustavsen said.
The Chairperson of the Uganda AIDS Commission, Dr Ruth Ssenyonyi said the fight must now focus on protecting children.
“By the end of 2024, Uganda recorded 4,700 new HIV infections among babies. These numbers are too high. No child should be born with HIV,” she said.
Ssenyonyi also announced that the Uganda AIDS Commission has contributed Shs 30 million to support the 2026 run.
The Kabaka Birthday Run will take place on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Lubiri, Mengo, where the Kabaka is expected to flag off runners in all race categories.
