When corporates swapped suits for running shoes to save mothers

Corporate suits were swapped for running shoes on Sunday as Uganda’s business community joined hundreds of runners at the second Independence Marathon, turning a morning of sport into a campaign to save mothers.

The marathon on Sunday, October 4, held under the theme “Save a Mother”, brought together corporate executives, elite athletes, recreational runners, families and members of the public, all running for a cause that goes beyond the finish line.

The event featured 42-kilometre, 21-kilometre, 10-kilometre and 5-kilometre races, with the first Independence Marathon route to use the Kampala Northern Bypass. The 42km course stretched from Namboole to Busega.

Brian Ategeka, Solomon Tumwesigye and Evas Nassasira were among the leading finishers in the 42km race, while Brian Okumu, Rolline Atumanye and Innocent Iraguha topped the 21km category.

Gabriel Nyangabyeki, Connel Cheptoek and Joel Olinga led the 10km race. But the bigger race was taking place away from the clock.

The marathon is raising funds for a modern cold storage facility at the Mengo Rotary Blood Bank, aimed at increasing capacity to process, preserve and store blood for mothers facing childbirth complications, as well as accident victims and other patients requiring transfusions.

The race was flagged off by Diana Atwine, the permanent secretary in the ministry of Health, who also served as chief runner. Atwine urged Ugandans to support the campaign, whether they ran or not, through FlexiPay 189200 or Stanbic Bank account 903001893749.

“Saving a mother requires all of us to play our part,” Atwine said, stressing the importance of strengthening maternal healthcare.

Ministry of Health permanent secretary, Diana Atwine (C) and Stanbic Bank chief executive Mumba Kalifungwa participated in a 5-kilometre walk along the Northern Bypass during the marathon

For corporate Uganda, the message was equally clear: fighting maternal mortality requires more than boardroom commitments. Stanbic Bank Uganda, Old Mutual, TMR Hospital and Jet Tour backed the marathon, with Stanbic taking a leading role in the campaign.

Stanbic chief executive Mumba Kalifungwa said the initiative reflected the bank’s purpose, “Uganda is our home, we drive her growth,” and its Positive Impact Agenda.

“Safe motherhood is one of Stanbic’s key impact areas because no woman should lose her life while giving life,” Kalifungwa said.

Marathon organiser Robert Kabushenga described the event as a meeting point for fitness, patriotism and philanthropy. For runners such as Carol Mutesi, that combination gave the race its real meaning.

“I came to run, but I also came because of the cause behind this marathon,” she said.

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