Hundreds of participants gathered in Bushenyi District for the Olympic Day Tooke Run, an event that combined athletic competition with a public health campaign aimed at promoting nutrition, healthy living and sustainable agricultural development.
Held under the theme, “Move, Learn and Discover for Nutrition Care,” the event attracted fitness enthusiasts, professional athletes and community members from different parts of the country.
Organisers said the initiative was designed to highlight the importance of matooke in enhancing food security and combating malnutrition while encouraging healthier lifestyles among Ugandans.
The event was flagged off by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, who represented President Yoweri Museveni as chief guest.
While delivering the President’s message before launching the 5km and 10km races, Tayebwa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to food security initiatives and urged Ugandans to embrace agriculture as a key driver of both health and economic prosperity.
“Everybody knows matooke. It is for this reason that this initiative is magnifying the need for us to take pride not only in our linguistic diversity but also in the food that defines life and sustainability. It is for this reason that I deemed it fit to support the Tooke initiative to add value to what we eat, and as mentioned above, it is now making flour and other products like biscuits and many more,” Tayebwa said.
“We may no longer need to peel bananas and perform other cumbersome tasks in future, since access to matooke flour will be easy, even for those in the diaspora,” he added.
The President also commended the partnership between the Uganda Olympic Committee and nutrition advocate Rev. Prof. Florence Isabirye Muranga in promoting nutrition awareness through sport.
“I appreciate the Uganda Olympic Committee for partnering with Reverend Professor Florence Muranga to celebrate International Olympic Day in Bushenyi and promote the Tooke cause, which is now a symbol of value addition for economic empowerment,” Tayebwa said.
Prof. Muranga, the founder of the Tooke initiative, welcomed the government’s support and emphasized the potential of transforming matooke into high-value nutritional products to improve community health and food preservation.
“Our theme today, ‘Move, Learn, Discover with Nutrition-Care,’ is not merely a slogan. It is a call to action. This is not just a race. It is a celebration of health, innovation and national pride,” Muranga said.
“As Nutrition Ambassador, my commitment extends beyond athletes. It reaches every child in Uganda because today’s well-nourished child is tomorrow’s champion,” she added.
The event also featured competitive races that showcased outstanding athletic talent.
Joshua Ayeko won the men’s 5-kilometre race, while Chebet Isera emerged victorious in the women’s category.
In the 10-kilometre races, Jabeth Chesiro claimed the men’s title and Nancy Chepkorir won the women’s event.
The 21-kilometre half marathon was dominated by institutional athletes, with Abel Chebet of the Uganda Police Force taking the men’s crown and Esther Chebet of the Uganda Prisons Service winning the women’s title.
Beyond the competition, organisers emphasized the importance of adopting healthier lifestyles and modern agricultural practices to strengthen food security and improve nutrition outcomes.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the Olympic Day Tooke Run will become an annual event, using the power of sport to advance nutritional awareness, promote food security and build healthier communities across Uganda.
