David GOMBE
The 2026 Kabaka Birthday Run reached an exhilarating climax on Sunday, April 12, at Kabaka’s Palace, with gaming firm Betika emerging as a key contributor to this year’s impactful campaign against HIV/AIDS.
For over a decade, the Buganda Kingdom has transformed the Kabaka’s birthday into a powerful national call to action.
Now in its 13th edition, the run—held under the theme “Men Against HIV/AIDS to Save the Girl Child”—continues to stand as Uganda’s most influential annual mobilisation against the epidemic.
This year’s event attracted more than 140,000 runners from across the country, a remarkable growth from just 1,000 participants at its inception.
At the heart of this momentum was Betika’s deliberate and structured contribution, underscoring its commitment to community investment beyond its core business.
As part of its engagement, Betika made a significant sponsorship contribution, with the full amount directed towards HIV/AIDS awareness, testing, and prevention initiatives nationwide.
Complementing this financial support, over 75 members of Betika staff actively participated in the run, collectively contributing to an overall impact valued at more than UGX 10 million.
“HIV/AIDS has touched every community in Uganda. The Kabaka Birthday Run remains one of the most impactful platforms for awareness, prevention, and action.
Betika is proud to stand alongside Ugandans in advancing Kabaka’s vision for a healthier nation. Our commitment goes beyond entertainment—we are here to support the causes that truly matter.
The Kabaka Birthday Run is more than a race; it is a national platform for public health action, a celebration of Buganda’s cultural identity, and a unifying moment for Ugandans,” a Betika representative noted.
The funds realised from the run continue to directly support HIV/AIDS programmes across the country, contributing to measurable national progress.
According to UNAIDS, HIV prevalence among adults aged 15 to 49 declined from 7.3% in 2010 to 4.9% in 2024. New infections have dropped by 61%, from 96,000 to 37,000, while infections among young people aged 15–24 have reduced by 57%.
AIDS-related deaths have declined by 63%, with over 1.3 million Ugandans now accessing antiretroviral therapy.
Despite these gains, the 2030 target of eliminating HIV/AIDS as a public health threat demands sustained and collective action—an effort to which Betika continues to align itself.
The company’s involvement in the Kabaka Birthday Run reflects a broader strategy of leveraging partnerships and community-driven initiatives to deliver tangible, long-term impact.
Over the years, the run has played a pivotal role in driving HIV testing, promoting safe male circumcision, encouraging consistent condom use, and strengthening treatment adherence.
These interventions have propelled Uganda closer to the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, with 94% of people living with HIV aware of their status, 90% on treatment, and 97% achieving viral suppression.
Through its continued support, Betika has positioned itself at the forefront of corporate entities championing public health causes—demonstrating that meaningful investment in communities can translate into real, measurable change.
