The run which is now in its 17th edition will be happening Sunday 20th November 2022.
MTN Uganda yesterday announced the resumption of its annual MTN Kampala Marathon this year, following a break due to Covid-19.
Registration for MTN Kampala Marathon kit is now open at a discounted rate using MTN MoMo.
The improved kit now features a running belt that can carry a water bottle and mobile phone, for a better running experience.
Proceeds of the 2022 marathon shall go towards kitting maternal and newborn facilities in four health centers across Uganda.
There shall be a family park (for the children), with lots of entertainment by top artists and DJs after the Marathon.
MTN Uganda together with its partners Huawei, Stanbic bank, New Vision, Rwenzori, NBS TV and KCCA – the host city yesterday announced the 2022 edition of the MTN Kampala Marathon, which shall take place on Sunday 20th November 2022 under the theme; “Run for Babies”.
This announcement comes after a two-year break due to restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Having been first run in 2004, the MTN Kampala Marathon has been a mainstay on the Ugandan sports calendar and a major springboard for East Africa’s elite athletes. In addition to being the most professional Marathon in the region, the MTN Kampala Marathon has earned its place as the biggest charity-inspired marathon, giving participants a good reason to run, not only for their own health and fitness but to also contribute to projects that have supported communities over the years.
While launching the MTN Kampala Marathon 2022 at the MTN Uganda Head offices yesterday, Sylvia Mulinge, the MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer appreciated the Ministry of Health for being supportive as the key implementors of the programs that are run by MTN under its MTN Foundation who’s funding is mainly proceeds from the Marathon.
Ms Sylvia additionally announced that the proceeds from this year’s Marathon shall be used again to upgrade maternal and newborn facilities in health centers across the country.
“As a continuation to the tremendous impact that the Marathon has achieved over the past years, it’s with great joy that we announce the resumption of the most anticipated sports activity in the East African region.
This year’s marathon proceeds shall similarly be dedicated to further improving the selected maternal and neonatal health facilities, by refurbishing and equipping them to save the lives of mothers and babies,” Mulinge said, urging the public to participate as a way of contributing to this noble cause.
As is the case in many sub-Saharan countries, statistics indicate that there are an estimated 336 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 43 infant deaths per 1000 live births in Uganda, with 42% of the children’s mortality occurring during the neonatal period (source: Uganda Health and Demographic Survey, 2016 – UNFPA).
“It is therefore through such initiatives that the public and corporate companies can join hands with the government to ensure better health service delivery that is critical in the elimination of these preventable deaths among mothers and babies.
Over the years, contributions from the MTN Kampala Marathon have supported the area of maternal and child health tremendously. Ush. 900m was raised from the MTN Marathon editions of 2018 and 2019 and that together with a top of Ush.400m from MTN Foundation was used to refurbish maternal wards in four health centers across the country.
Working with the Ministry of Health and UNFPA as the implementing partners, the health centers of Kawempe Hospital in Kampala, Muyembe Health Center IV in Bulambuli district, Pakwach HC IV in Pakwach district, Kalangala HC IV in Kalangala district, and Karugutu HC IV in Ntoroko district, were refurbished and equipped with neo-natal equipment, using proceeds from 2018 and 2019. The facilities are fully operational, offering mothers and newborns much-needed healthcare services.
Proceeds from this year’s Marathon shall be used to upgrade maternal and newborn services in four selected health facilities across the country. The beneficiary health facilities include Kisenyi and Kawaala health facilities in the suburbs of Kampala plus those in Kachumbala (Teso sub-region) and Kabong (Karamoja sub-region).
The 2022 edition of the MTN Kampala Marathon will be held on Sunday 20th November starting at the Kololo independence grounds with runners participating in any of 4 categories including; the full marathon (42Km), half marathon (21Km), 10Km race and 5Km fun run. The wheelchair race (10Km) shall be held on Sunday 13th November 2022.
This year’s kit features a running belt that offers a secure and convenient way for runners to keep their valuables and water bottle to rehydrate, while they run.
Over the years, contributions from the MTN Kampala Marathon have supported the area of maternal and child health tremendously. Ushs.900m was raised from the MTN Marathon editions of 2018 and 2019 and that together with a top of Ushs.400m from MTN Foundation, was used to refurbish maternal wards in four health centers across the country.
The MTN Kampala Marathon has, over the years raised over Ugx. 4Billion and benefitted several causes such as helping expectant mothers with maternity kit, resettling people displaced by war in northern Uganda, delivering clean water and improving sanitation in communities/schools, and most recently, improving maternal in health facilities.
The MTN Marathon pledges to continue playing its role in connecting and uniting Ugandans to causes that make a difference in the lives of thousands (if not millions) across the country.
Kit prices and kit items for the various MTN Kampala Marathon race categories
| Race categories | Kids’ Kit | Wheelchair Race | 5 Kms | 10Kms | 21Kms | 42 Kms | |
| Payment options | Cash | 5,000 | 20,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 |
| MoMo | 5,000 | 10,000 | 30,000 | 30,000 (Timing) 35,000 (No timing) | 20,000 | 20,000 | |
| Kit items | T. Shirt | Vest, Sun visor, Running belt, bottle | Vest, Sun visor, Running belt, bottle, timing chip |
Anne Juuko, the Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic Bank while speaking at the launch reinstated their commitment as a bank and partner in the Mtn Kampala Marathon said: “We at Stanbic are very proud to be associated with MTN, and even more proud to be doing that for a good cause for the last 8 years. We value the partnership with MTN due to the immense power that lies in collaborations for a common good cause. There is no nobler cause than supporting maternal and newborn health. As such, we are contributing Ugx. 170 Million shillings to this cause.
The Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) President Dominic Otucet in his remarks appreciated Mtn Uganda for their continued partnership saying: “We are grateful to MTN for sticking with us for the last 19 years, from 2004 when we had the inaugural MTN Kampala Marathon until now. We at UAF value and cherish this partnership. Our partnership with MTN has enabled our good performance in athletics, which has become a golden sport in Uganda. We are therefore happy to resume the MTN Kampala Marathon after the two-year break.”
Additionally, Don Wanyama, the Executive Director of Vision Group said that as a company; Vision group has been part of the MTN Kampala Marathon since its inception. We are happy to be part of the Marathon because its purpose fits in the spirit of Vision Group’s CSR. Vision Group is offering Media leverage worth Ugx. 150 million towards the 2022 MTN Kampala Marathon.
Samuel Chen, the Vice President of Huawei remarked that they are no strangers to the run saying: “We have been partners of the MTN Kampala Marathon for the past 8 editions. We are grateful for the great opportunity given to us by MTN Uganda, to be part of a good cause that benefits society.”
“As Huawei, we are contributing Ush.280 million to the MTN Kampala Marathon 2022. After the two-year marathon thirst, we are happy to be running again this year for a good cause.”, he added.
MTN Momo may be a part of MTN Uganda, but it recently became an Independent company and are this time coming on as a supporting partner. As has been the norm, MTN MoMo will support the MTN Kampala Marathon by discounting all the kits that shall be paid for via MTN MoMo. Following the past 2 years of the pandemic, discounting the kits is our way of ensuring that many more people take part in the MTN Kampala Marathon. The children are the future of this country and it is important that we support them right from birth. Be vigilant to avoid falling prey to fraudsters.”, said the MTN MoMo Limited Managing Director Richard Yego at the launch.
The Deputy Group CEO Next Media/General Manager at NBS Sport Joe Kigozi remarked that “As Next Media, our vision is to inform and transform society because Sport has the power to change lives. In a country with such a young population, it is a pleasure for us to be part of a noble cause that will save more precious lives.”
Coca-Cola’s Channel Execution and Trade Marketing Manager Newton Lee Ogong too made a pledge on behalf of the company saying: “We are proud to have been part of the MTN Kampala Marathon for the past years, including this year. We believe that one of the most important requirements for any runner is hydration. Therefore, as Coca-Cola, we will be supporting with value worth Ush.75 million in beverages.”
Rwenzori Water will be available in the morning hours for hydration of the runners and in the afternoon, Coca-Cola will bring on the “Real Magic”., he concluded.
Lastly, speaking in her capacity, Dorothy Kisaka, the Executive Director, Kampala Capital City Authority remarked that: “10 babies die every day due to avoidable causes and poor antenatal management of mothers as well as heavy congestion of public facilities. As such, we are glad to be hosting the Marathon whose proceeds shall help in alleviating this challenge. We look forward to hosting the most professional Marathon in the region. This is a statement and an endorsement of our city, and we are honored to be hosting the MTN Kampala Marathon 2022.
