Facebook Press Release from MTN Uganda
MTN Uganda has this morning announced the ninth edition of the Annual MTN Kampala Marathon, slated for Sunday November 25th, 2012, setting off from the Kololo Airstrip.
At a Press Conference at the Serena Kampala Hotel this morning, MTN Chief Executive Officer Mazen Mroué announced this year’s Marathon theme as ‘Run with your heart’ and challenged both Ugandans and people across the region to turn up in large numbers to participate in “Uganda’s biggest annual sporting event”.
In terms of numbers, about 220,000 entrants have run the MTN Kampala Marathon over the last nine years, and have raised close to Ushs. 900 million to help people in less privileged parts of the country.
Mroué said MTN has always used the Kampala Marathon as an opportunity to involve thousands of Ugandans in charitable causes, which to date have collected close to Ushs. 700 million. This money has been used in a number of projects in Northern and Eastern Uganda through the Uganda Red Cross over the years.
Last year the marathon raised Ushs. 230 million towards the provision of clean and safe water for the people of Amuria in partnership with WaterAid as an implementing partner. Amuria was selected as one of the most remote areas with a definite need for access to clean and safe water.
This year all proceeds from the MTN Marathon will go towards the provision of water for the people of Bududa. This will be achieved through a partnership with Red Cross that will be tasked with ensuring that these proceeds reach the most deserving.
New Vision will be one of the sponsors and the media partner of the MTN Marathon. Speaking at the press conference, the Group CEO Robert Kabushenga said “Vision Group is proud to sponsor one of the biggest events of the year, the MTN Marathon, through our flagship brand, the New Vision. The Marathon’s objective of raising money to provide clean water for the people of Bududa allows us to give back to the community, whilst promoting healthy living, which are both very noble objectives.”
This year Huawei has also come on board as a sponsor of the Marathon. Speaking at the event, the MD of Huawei Uganda affirmed the company’s desire to reach out and help the less privileged members of the society.
“I would like to applaud MTN Uganda, a fellow multinational with local presence as Huawei, for facilitating our partnership in the 9th edition of the Annual MTN Kampala Marathon together with the people of Uganda, geared towards improving the lives of communities around us. This initiative is a clear indication that public-private partnerships are necessary in catalyzing the growth of the Uganda economy.” said Eric Yang, MD Huawei Uganda.
The Uganda Red Cross Secretary General, Mr. Michael Richard Nataka expressed gratitude to MTN for having chosen to work with the Red Cross over the years and for once again to help save lives over the last 8 years. He also pledged the Uganda Red Cross would still be on hand in the Kampala Marathon 2012 to provide emergency services to all participants.
“Working with MTN over the last 8 years has seen us achieve many of our goals in saving lives and we are glad that MTN chose to partner with us once again for this noble cause. This year we will ensure that the victims from the Bududa landslides that have been resettled in various new locations around the country. We are partners with MTN in the Kampala Marathon and we will be on the routes providing emergency services for participants who require help,” said Mr. Nataka.
At the Press Conference, MTN Uganda’s Chief Marketing Officer, Ernst Fonternel also unveiled this year’s Marathon campaign, which will run for the next three weeks to mobilise participants to take part in the MTN Kampala Marathon.
