Kevin Wingfield, Head Personal & Business Banking, Stanbic Bank, Uganda Police Force represented by RPC Siraje Bakaleke Uganda Athletics Federation President, Dominic Otucet, Stanley Chyn, MD Huawei Uganda, Chief Executive Officer MTN Uganda, Wim Vanhelleputte, Dr. Peter Ntege from AAR, Susan Nsibirwa, Chief Marketing Officer Vision Group, Magggie Kigozi, Marketing Manager Coca-Cola, Olivier Prentout CMO, MTN Uganda at the launch of the MTN Kampala Marathon 2017.
Juliet Namulundu.
MTN Uganda has today, 5th October launched the 14th edition of the annual MTN Kampala Marathon. This year’s marathon is scheduled for Sunday 19th November, 2017 under theme “Represent your cause”.
Unlike in the previous years, the 2017 edition has been spiced up with a cocktail of activities expected to give participants more reasons to be part.
Among the additions include the introduction of a 5KMs family fun walk and a regional half marathon that will be held in Mbale on 22nd October 2017.
Furthermore, this year’s edition will offer participants a chance to select a cause they prefer to run for. Participants can now choose to run for either the improvement of maternal health through providing better facilities in Kiswa and Komamboga health centers or the reduction of cancer among school children through reduction of their exposure to asbestos iron sheets in their classrooms.
“MTN Uganda and partners have proposed two causes for participants in this year’s marathon to personally identify with; proceeds from their contributions will then go to the cause of their choice. We believe that the power of choice is important and empowers participants more to represent their cause,” said Wim Vanhelleputte, the CEO MTN Uganda during the press conference at the MTN Towers.
“We are going to paint the city of Kampala yellow once again as people turn up to represent their causes that will improve the livelihoods of their communities,” Vanhelleputte added.
The MTN Kampala Marathon is made possible through a partnership with Stanbic Bank, Huawei, Rwenzori Mineral Water and the Vision Group. This IAAF certified marathon is managed by the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF).
Speaking about their partnership with the MTN Marathon, Kevin Wingfield, Stanbic Bank’s Executive Director and Head Personal and Business Banking said, “Stanbic bank is honored to join MTN as sponsors in Uganda’s biggest athletics event, while helping to raise money for what are two very worthy causes. Cancer caused by asbestos is a forgotten problem while poor maternal healthcare is still a major challenge that afflicts thousands of Ugandan women.”
He added, “We have consistently supported the MTN Kampala Marathon because it aligns with Stanbic’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) vision. We are also proud of the fact that we contribute the largest number of runners from a single company with over 200 runners each year. I personally look forward to participating in the event this year.”
In 2015 and 2016, the UGX 500m proceeds of the MTN Kampala Marathon were channeled towards the construction of eco-friendly sanitation facilities in Kampala. The intention was to improve overall basic hygiene and thus stem the spread of diseases in over ten schools and communities served.
Since inception, the MTN Kampala Marathon has raised more than UGX 3bn to support several causes including but not limited to improving access to clean water and sanitation, supporting maternal health through providing Mama Bags with the Red Cross to Ugandans in IDPs, to mention but a few.
Registration and Participation.
Participants in this year’s marathon will dial *165*1*5# to register with MTN Mobile Money. The minimum registration contribution is UGX 23,000/- but participants can contribute even more to this charitable cause.
Those that register with cash starting 6th November 2017 at various registration points, will be required to make a minimum contribution of UGX 25,000/-.
Registration and kit collection starts from 6th October 2017 until 17th November 2017 at the following centers: Stanbic William Street Branch, MTN Offices (Former BAT along Jinja road), MTN shop Lugogo, MTN shop Forest Mall, MTN shop Kampala Road, MTN shop Kyaggwe Road and MTN shop Victoria Mall Entebbe.