KAMPALA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people took part in a Sunday marathon in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, aimed at promoting HIV/AIDS awareness as the country expects to end the scourge by 2030.
The marathon, also known as the Kabaka Birthday Run, was themed "The Fight to End HIV/AIDS by 2030", which attracted sponsorship from the government, the corporate world, cultural leaders, and various individuals from the entertainment industry.
Kabaka (King) Ronald Muwenda Mutebi of Buganda, a constitutional kingdom in modern-day Uganda, flagged off the run in Mengo, Kampala, as he celebrated his 68th birthday. The marathon was divided into 21km, 10km and 5km.
In his message, Mutebi said the war against HIV/AIDS was very important. "We want our people to stay alive and look after the relatives with this disease."
"I have been informed that this run is one of the most prestigious ones in the whole world. I appeal to you to surge forward as we fight against HIV/AIDS," he added.
Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said at the event that Uganda has so far made tremendous steps in the fight against HIV but the marathon was important in creating awareness.
"As a ministry, we applaud the organizers because the awareness created among the thousands and the messages of prevention, testing and adherence to medicine are important," Ainebyoona said.
He said Uganda had reduced the AIDS prevalence as well as new infections per year. "We have also ensured that those who contracted the virus are enrolled on treatment in a bid to hit the sustainable development goal of Ending AIDS by 2030," he said.
Edwin Katamba, popularly known as MC Kats, a local deejay who is living with HIV, called for an end to stigmatization.
"Allow people to take their medicine peacefully. Do not point fingers at them. For those who have contracted the virus, my advice is to come out boldly and enroll for the drugs if you want to live longer," he said.
He also called upon those who are living positively to avoid the habit of intentionally infecting others.
According to Uganda AIDS Commission, a state-run institution, at least 1.4 million people in Uganda are living with HIV/AIDS, and out of these, 1.3 million are on treatment.
As of 2021, the health ministry put the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate at 5.3 percent among adults of 15 to 49 years.
