Students drawn from five High Schools and Kampala residents on Sunday took part in 5 Km and 10 Km run to mark Lions Club Uganda 2019 run.
The the run kick stated from Makerere University Freedom Square at 7.30 am on Sunday morning, where participants clad in Lions club jerseys ran through the chilly morning, after the nights heavy downpour, through Kampala city and later converged at the Freedom square for diabetes and eye screening.
The students were drawn from Nile High School- Mukono, Kings Way, Namirembe Hill Side, Bethany High School and Crested Senior School.
The Chief Guest, Shem Bageine, a former Cabinet Minister and member of the Lions Club, in his address advised students to do regular physical exercises, to avoid contracting Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes and what he termed as “irreversible blindness”.
He said as Uganda’s future Leaders, students should endeavour to grow up as physically fit persons.
“In addition you should avoid engaging in consumption of alcohol and narcotic drugs, as these result in increasing the risk of contracting NCDs”, he added.
Dr Dans Nturinda, Lions Club Vice Governor said the Lions Run is an annual activity, aimed at raising awareness on the dangers posed by NCDs to the community.
“I would like to congratulate all those who took part in this year’s run and I must say you are all winners”, he said. He called on parents and teachers across the country to encourage their children to take part in next year’s run, saying: “This is for your own health benefit” .
Israel Manzi, the President Kampala Lions Club, said their humanitarian activities do not end at organising Lions annual runs only.
“Lions club has been at the forefront in environment conservation, through tree planting, eye screening and treatment, plus rendering financial assistance to treat members of the community, who cannot afford to foot medical bills among others”, he said. He cited Lions Club recent health camps across Kampala suburbs, as examples of their ongoing humanitarian activities.
