Uganda Runs to Remind Communities HIV/AIDS Still Threatens

Hundreds of runners in Uganda just proved that fighting a disease requires the same commitment as eating breakfast: you have to do it every single day.

Charles Peter Mayiga, the Katikkiro of Buganda, flagged off the Kampala Hash House Harriers run in Kyaddondo this week, following the annual Kabaka Birthday Run. The event combined celebration with a serious mission: reminding communities that HIV/AIDS hasn't disappeared.

"If you want something to yield results, you must do it repeatedly," Mayiga told participants. He compared HIV prevention to daily meals, explaining that just as people eat every day, prevention messages need the same consistent repetition to keep communities safe.

The timing matters more than many realize. Alice Okecho, this year's group chairperson, warned that HIV/AIDS is gradually making a comeback in Uganda. After years of successful awareness campaigns brought rates down, the disease is quietly resurging as attention has shifted elsewhere.

David Kintu Wasajja, a member of the running group, highlighted how the event brings together people from all backgrounds for a shared cause. The run celebrates the Kabaka's 71st birthday while promoting health awareness and unity across communities.

Runners traveled through Mengo and Lubaga before gathering for a cake-cutting ceremony honoring the Kabaka. The celebration doubled as a powerful reminder that public health battles require sustained effort, not just one-time action.

The Ripple Effect

What started as a birthday celebration has become an annual tradition that reaches far beyond a single day. These repeated runs create lasting habits in communities, keeping HIV/AIDS prevention at the forefront of daily conversations. By linking celebration with education, Buganda has found a way to make health awareness feel joyful rather than burdensome. The participants become messengers, carrying prevention knowledge back to their families and neighborhoods throughout the year.

Mayiga acknowledged that some people question why he keeps talking about HIV/AIDS, but his answer is simple: persistence wins battles. He specifically called on men to take responsibility for protection, while noting that women are increasingly taking initiative too.

The event reinforces that progress against any disease isn't a straight line, and vigilance today prevents crises tomorrow.