More than 500 people on Saturday participated in the first-ever Kabalega Independence run organized by Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.
The run was organized to commemorate the 100 years since the demise of Omukama Daudi Cwa II Kabalega of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom. The 5km run was flagged off by Andrew Byakutaga, the Prime minister of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom at Hoima Boma grounds in Hoima City.
The proceeds from the run will be used to support and fund the Education of vulnerable children in the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom under the Kabalega Education Foundation.
Byakutaga applauded the Kingdom subjects for turning up in big numbers for the run.
He said that there are many vulnerable children in the Kingdom who would wish to continue with their education but due to financial constraints in their families, they could not go further with their education tasking the Banyoro to always extend a helping hand to vulnerable people.
According to Byakutaga, the run was also organized to recognize the tremendous contributions made by King Kabalega to the people of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and Africa.
Byakutaga who described the late Omukama Kabalega as a hero, peace-loving and a unifier asked other Banyoro to emulate Kabalega’s legacy.
Dr. James Isagara Kasoro, the Executive Director of Kabalega Foundation says it is paramount to raise resources to support the education of vulnerable children within the Kingdom. Kasoro says the run will be conducted annually.
Pius Wakabi Rujumba, the Bugayha County Member of Parliament said that it is critical to remember Omukama Kabalega for the great achievements he made to the people of Bunyoro. He too demands that the run should be organized annually.
The Kingdom has organized various activities including blood donation, trade exhibition, and free HIV/AIDS testing and counseling services to commemorate the day. The run was organized under the theme “Run to celebrate a hero’s legacy, run to educate a leader of tomorrow”.
Kabalega was born on 18th June 1853 to King Kyebambe IV Kamurasi Mirundi Rukanama and Kanyange Nyamutahingurwa Abwooli. He was the 23rd King of the Babiito dynasty.
He became King of Bunyoro in 1869 when he was still 16 years old. Kabalega led a historic revival of the kingdom and registered several victories in reclaiming lost territories, increased food production, cattle keeping, and trade given that Bunyoro was the center of iron smelting at that time, and had the Kibiro Salt Works.
Omukama Kabalega built diplomatic relationships between Bunyoro and other states and expanded the geographical boundaries of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom. He promoted both local and international trade in the Kingdom.
He was captured in 1899 and exiled to Seychelles Island where he spent 23 years. While in exile, he continued to resist British colonization, writing letters and petitions to various European leaders and international organizations.
His resistance to European colonization is seen as an important moment in African history and his legacy continues to inspire those fighting for independence and sovereignty in Africa.
Kabalega died on April 6, 1923, at Mpumude in the current Jinja District, Busoga region on his way back home.
URN.