Greater than 10,000 members from throughout Africa are anticipated to participate in Uganda’s second City Refugee Marathon, scheduled for July 20, 2025, in Kampala.
The occasion will carry collectively refugees and nationals to advertise consciousness, unity, and help for city refugee communities.
The marathon was formally launched by the Workplace of the President via the Diaspora Affairs Division, in partnership with the Discussion board for Youth Organisations.
It can begin and finish at Previous Kampala Secondary Faculty and have each 5km and 10km routes mapped by the Uganda Athletics Federation.
Talking on the launch, Abbey Walusimbi, senior diaspora affairs advisor to the President, mentioned the initiative displays Uganda’s dedication to inclusive refugee insurance policies and social cohesion.
“Because the Workplace of the President – Diaspora Affairs, we not solely coordinate Uganda’s diaspora overseas but additionally welcome different nations’ diaspora right here,” he mentioned.
“This marathon unites totally different nationalities, raises consciousness, and mobilises help for city refugees whereas providing a platform for reflection on social justice and employment,” Walusimbi added.
Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, will function the chief visitor and in addition participate within the run.
Uganda, which at present hosts greater than 1.8 million refugees and asylum seekers–making it Africa’s largest refugee-hosting nation and the sixth globally–has earned international reward for its progressive refugee insurance policies.
Fikru Abebe, CEO of African Initiatives for Reduction & Improvement (AIRD), counseled Uganda’s open-door strategy to refugee administration.
“We’re glad to be a part of this occasion and grateful to the Authorities for permitting refugees to entry social providers and combine into host communities. Our dedication is to help them in reaching their full potential,” he mentioned.
Additionally talking on the launch, Marriam Kidane Fassil, CEO of the Kids’s Rights Violation Prevention Fund, praised the unity displayed by refugee communities.
“We’re glad to be a part of this initiative. It is vitally necessary. I admire the federal government for welcoming refugees,” she mentioned.
Kisanet Tedros, representing the Eritrean neighborhood, underscored their resolve to strengthen inclusive help methods for city refugees.
The marathon, she famous, is not only a sporting occasion however a logo of shared battle and aspiration.
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Oliver Bakomezi, chairperson of the Congolese refugee neighborhood in Uganda, echoed that sentiment, thanking the nation for providing each alternative and dignity.
“We aren’t forgotten. We really feel seen, heard, and supported. Uganda has given us hope and a future. We’re able to contribute to this nation’s prosperity wherever we’re,” Bakomezi mentioned.
Organisers say the marathon is designed to spark public dialogue round refugee challenges and strengthen collaboration between refugees, host communities, civil society, and authorities businesses.
It is usually a name to rework solidarity right into a driver for financial and social inclusion.
With preparations in excessive gear, the occasion is anticipated to be a vibrant, emotional, and unifying second in Uganda’s refugee story–one that continues to attract admiration from around the globe.
