The first ever edition of the Olympic Day Tooke run was a success in the Western district of Bushenyi on Saturday, 20th June 2026.
Hundreds of participants from the different corners of the country converged at the Bushenyi main ground to shed a sweat for a purpose.
Under the theme “Move, Learn and Discover for Nutrition-Care”, this run lured participants in the half marathon (21 KM), 10KM and 5 KM races with juicy prize monies totaling to as big as Ug.Shs 120,000,000.
Prof. Rev. Florence Isabirye Muranga, the Nutrition Ambassador for Uganda Olympics and Commonwealth Games flagged off the 21KM race at Mitooma through Ishaka to Bushenyi.
Abel Chebet (Police) and Esther Chebet (Prisons) won the male and female categories for the half marathon, each earning Ug.Shs 15,000,000 apiece.
“I am happy for this victory in the Olympic Day Tooke run. Each race comes with its own challenges. This one was hilly but nonetheless, I am excited” Abel who also won in Gulu marathon attested.
Another Police runner Martin Kiprotich came second to earn 9,000,000 with Alex Kiplangat (UPDF) finishing third (7,000,000).
Eliud Cherop (Prisons) and Oscar Kibet (UWA) completed the men’s top five positions, each earning 2,500,000 apiece.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa was chief guest, representing the president of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
“This run by PIBID is further popularising our Staplefood, Matooke through the Tooke initiative. I have watched Tooke grow from scratch now producing a number of products.Today, Bushenyi has made history by choosing to run for this staple food. Matooke is not just a food but also embodies identity of many Ugandan tribes” President Museveni’s message as read by Rt. Hon. Tayebwa.
The run was organized by the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID), Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre in conjunction with the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC).
Moses Mwase, the vice president of Uganda Olympic Committee commended the different stakeholders who joined hands together for such a monumental run.
Part of the proceeds from the run will be channeled toward to support the welfare and preparation of Ugandan athletes before and during international competitions, including the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Dakar and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
UOC optimally utilised the occasion to showcase the unique Olympic sports as rowing, shooting and badminton.
Other top performers:
Jabeth Chesro won the men 10KM race to earn Ug.shs 5,000,000 ahead of Dismus Yeko (4,000,000) and Denis Kiplangat (3,000,000).
The female top three in the 10KM race had Nancy Cheprui (5,000,000), Charity Chebet (4,000,000) and Gloria Chebet (3,000,000).
In the 5KM event, a well attended race, Joshua Ayeko came top to earn 2,000,000 with Ssande Chetrack coming second to take home 1,200,000 whilst home boy Cosmas Amumpaire finished third to pocket 800,000.
The female 5KM race was won by Isra Chebet (2,000,000), beating Sarah Chemutai (1,200,000) and Joan Chelimo (800,000).
A total pool of Ug.Shs 120,000,000 was won by the different top performers in the respective clusters.
Different Members of Parliament and other area leaders also graced this historic Olympic Day Tooke run.
