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On the morning of Saturday 10th September 2022, the people of Bunyoro Kitara kingdom took to the streets of Kiryandongo to kick start the long-awaited “egaali za masaza” bicycle races sponsored by MTN Uganda.

The bicycle races were launched in the Kiryandongo district where the riders in anticipation of the races assembled at the Kiryandongo stadium where they set off for the official launch of the MTN-Bunyoro kingdom bicycle races.

The races will take place in all 13 counties of Bunyoro Kitara kingdom where the winners will be selected to represent their counties at the final race in Hoima district.

Alex Katushabe, the Chief administrative officer was present at the bicycle race launch standing in as a representative of Bunyoro Kitara kingdom’s Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga who was unable to make it.

“With the great support from MTN Uganda, we will be able to transverse the 13 counties of Bunyoro Kitara kingdom and reach out to all our people to allow them the opportunity of taking part in this race,” Katushabe said, “we are thankful to the people of Bunyoro Kingdom because we have had positive feedback in response to the races and people have been peaceful even now at the start.” 

The launch race was won by Johnson Agaba coming in at the number 1 position, followed by Wilson Bwansi in second place, Patrick Senyonjo in third place, Emmanuel Yokosan in fourth place, and Hassan Ibrahim in the fifth position. All the winners were awarded a cash prize.

The bicycle races had one female participant named Catherine Atugonza who took on the men in an impressive tight competition and won a cash prize of UGX 100,000 and secured a spot to compete in the final race in Hoima where she will represent Kiryandongo.

Israel Kiiza, one of the participants in the bicycle races, thanked MTN for giving them the opportunity to enter a bicycle race competition.

“I am very grateful to MTN Uganda that I get to enter a sports competition because I have never had the chance before, but thanks to MTN I can now showcase my talent.” Said Kizza.

The first-ever bicycle race competition sponsored by MTN Uganda was recently successfully concluded in Tooro Kingdom. Another similar race is happening in the Ker Alur Kingdom with more such races to be launched in other communities.

MTN Uganda is committed to championing cultural heritage to foster unity and togetherness through sponsoring sports initiatives that also act as a platform for talent identification and a place to create awareness around social issues to bolster community growth and development.

MTN Uganda over the weekend  reaffirmed its partnership with the people of Bunyoro Kingdom as the monarchy celebrated the 28th coronation anniversary of Omukama (King) Solomon Gafabusa Iguru IV.

Following the signing of a collaboration agreement in 2019, MTN, last weekend handed over a cheque of Ush.30 million to support the Kingdom’s initiatives at the Empango celebrations in Hoima. This follows the lifting of restrictions on public gatherings that prevented the celebrations from happening over the last two years. 

The cheque was handed over to the Bunyoro Kingdom officials at the Karuzika Royal Palace in Hoima by the MTN Mobile Money Uganda Limited Managing Director, Richard Yego, who graced the celebrations. Yego congratulated the Omukama of Bunyoro, who was not in attendance of the celebrations due to ill health, upon his peaceful and developmental 28-year reign.

“We are honored to join the people of Bunyoro on this auspicious day that gives us an opportunity to celebrate the friendship between MTN and the people of Bunyoro Kitara. On behalf of MTN Uganda, I congratulate the people of Bunyoro for reaching this great milestone under the great leadership of Omukama Gafabusa who has fostered peace and overseen transformation in the region,” Yego said. 

Yego further added that MTN has committed resources to further champion the socio-economic and cultural wellbeing of the people of Bunyoro through supporting health, education, and sports initiatives in the Kingdom.

The Bunyoro Kingdom Prime Minister, Owek. Andrew Byakutaga, on behalf of the Omukama, thanked MTN for its continued support towards the kingdom’s initiatives. “We extend our sincere appreciation to MTN for all the work they do in our communities to extend better services to our people here in Bunyoro and beyond,” Byakutaga said.

Last year, MTN Uganda restored 50 hectares of forest cover in Kagombe forest in the Bunyoro region as part of its “Uganda is Home” campaign. Prior to that, the telecom refurbished and re-equipped the Maternity ward and theatre at Kigorobya Health Center IV in Hoima district to champion maternal and child health in the region. Furthermore, the telecom set up an ICT laboratory at the St. Simon Peter Vocation Training Institute to champion digital skilling.

This year, MTN is set to sponsor the Bunyoro football tournament and bicycle race competitions between the counties of Bunyoro. MTN is keen on working with cultural institutions because they are a strong community establishment that fosters shared beliefs and unity of purpose, which resonates with MTN’s #GoodTogether notion.