Massive turn up at 2025 Kids of Africa Run, Girl child health status at the fore

The key objective for the 2025 Kids of Africa run was to raise funds to improve the health and sanitation of the girl-child in schools around Katabi Town Council.

This was vividly attained owing to the big numbers of participants who engaged in the run now marking 12 editions since inception in 2011.

As early as 6 AM, runners started to assemble at Kids Pioneer primary school (Bugiri – Bukasa), the start and finishing point of the annual run that accommodated 5KM, 10KM and half-marathon (21 KM) races.

This year, the main theme was centered “Sanitation for the Girl Child”.

The young, aged, male and female took part in this run.

Kids of Africa director Tage Budolfsen was among the over 50 years’ cluster in action.

Leaders and politicians led by the Mayor Katabi Town Council His Worship Ronald Kalema Basamulekere, Miss Uganda (2024-2025) Natasha Nyonyozi, and others also took part.

“We had a great run and I thank all the people who have come to be part. I also salute the sponsors and partners who decided to work together with us” Tage remarked.

Top performers:

5KM:

Michael Mutyaba won the male U-12 category in the 5KM race with a timing of 19:41:8 ahead of Jacob Napoleon (21:48:02) and Calvin Opedul (21:59:00).

Christine Ssentongo won the girls U-12 ahead of Josephone Mwaka and Ritah Nakaggwa.

For the 13-17 years cluster, Airforce’s Stephen Alekele clocked 18:37:4 to win gold ahead of Pius Egesa of Namugonde Primary School (18:51:03) and Christopher Luwunga of World Light Junior School (18:52:9).

Females (13-17) had Sara Nabulo as best ahead of Praise Catherine Asianzu and Angella Namugambe.

Sulaiman Mudo (Airforce club) won the male 18-34 years pool with a time of 15:06:6, beating Jacktan Chemos (Bukwo) and Jaffar Krube Fadil (Airforce club).

For females; Iten based runners completed a 1-2-3 finish in the 18-34 years’ girls category.

Brunella Kutlol took gold, Viola Jelimo earned silver and Maureen Jeruto had bronze.

In the 35-49 years age bracket; Alex Lusiba (Kids of Africa Athletics Club) clocked 19:12:3 to win ahead of Divine Salon Abaita’s Marko Plyien Machol Akoon and Antony Sanya.

For the 50 years plus group; Daniel Ssetubba was outstanding.

Mubarak Kitaka and Nobert Ssemitala were second and third respectively.

10KM:

Ahmed Mutawe came top in the male 13-17 years group whilst Hannah Kayanja won for the females.

For 18-34 years; Leonard Kwerit and Mercy Kimalyo were the male and female winners respectively.

John Nobanoha was champion in 35-49 age pool with Yolissa Khantwane coming top in the female docket.

Boaz Matsiko was outstanding in 50+ for male ahead of Vamholt Burkhard and Ian Walker.

Half-marathon (21KM):

Brian Adams Ategeka (Total Namasuba) won the 21KM (Half marathon) for the males with a time of 1:06:28.

Airforce club’s Felix Ayiko was in second place (1:07:33) as Mark Biryomumeisho came third with a time of 1:07:35.

For the females; Sharon Ruto came top in the ladies half marathon ahead of Faith Rotich and Sylivice Ehelangot.

Partners:

Different partners and sponsors joined hands to make this year’s run eventful.

Yako Bank, Sembeza Africa, Divine esthetics salon bridal center, Kisubi Hospital, I&M Bank, Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Roko, multisports, Maersk, DHL, The Lake side, MMAKS Advocates, Kids Pioneer primary school, Sai Pali Institute of technology and management, Flora events, Katabi Town Council, Basamulekere Foundation and others were all part and parcel.