By Male Solomon Grace
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to safeguarding matooke as a strategic crop for nutrition, cultural identity and household wealth creation, rallying Ugandans to embrace value addition as a practical pathway to prosperity. His message was delivered by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, during the Olympic Day Tooke Run held in Bushenyi District under the theme, ‘Move, Learn, Discover for Nutrition Care.’
The event organized in Bushenyi district by the Uganda Olympic Committee in partnership with the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) and Rev. Prof. Florence Muranga, attracted a strong turnout of participants in the 5km, 10km and 21km races, underscoring the growing link between sport, nutrition awareness and national transformation.
In his message, President Museveni welcomed the steady progress of PIBID, noting that matooke, now prominently branded as Tooke, is steadily moving beyond its traditional place on the dining table to become a driver of enterprise, innovation and industrial growth. Through value addition, the crop is already being transformed into flour, biscuits and other products, widening its market appeal and commercial value.
The President said such progress demonstrates that deliberate investment in local solutions can unlock jobs, expand incomes and strengthen food security. He added that with continued technological advancement, matooke products will become even more accessible and convenient, including for Ugandans living abroad who wish to remain connected to home-grown foods.
President Museveni emphasised that matooke is not merely food, but a symbol of identity for many Ugandan communities and a vital thread in the country’s cultural fabric. He called on citizens to take pride in indigenous foods and to support products that speak to Uganda’s heritage, resilience and self-belief.
He further linked the Tooke Run to Government’s wider agenda of promoting healthier lifestyles, supporting domestic tourism, celebrating local innovation and using sport as a unifying force for patriotism and talent development. In this regard, the event stood out as more than a race; it became a visible expression of how agriculture, culture and wellness can work together in advancing the national cause.
The President also reiterated the call for Ugandans to ‘grow what you eat and eat what you grow,’ in line with the NRM Government’s strategy of bringing every household into the money economy. He encouraged citizens to utilise the enabling environment created by Government to fight poverty, support local initiatives and build sustainable livelihoods from the country’s own resources.
Rt. Hon. Tayebwa later flagged off the Tooke Run and commended participants for embracing physical fitness and national development. His presence at the event reinforced the importance of collective action in promoting public health, nutrition awareness and social mobilisation around productive national causes.
The run was spearheaded by Rev. Prof. Florence Muranga, who also serves as Nutrition Ambassador for the Uganda Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Uganda. Proceeds from the event will support the welfare of Team Uganda ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Games scheduled for July 23 to August 2, 2026, as well as athletes preparing for the Dakar Youth Olympics due from October 31 to November 13, 2026.
The competitive races added excitement and prestige to the day as top performers were rewarded for their discipline, endurance and excellence. In the men’s half marathon, Abel Chebet of Uganda Police Force emerged victorious and walked away with UGX 15,000,000. Martin Kiprotich came second to earn UGX 9,000,000, while Alex Kiplangat of the Uganda People’s Defense Force finished third and received UGX 7,000,000.
In the women’s half marathon, Esther Chebet of Uganda Prisons Service claimed top honours and was awarded UGX 15,000,000, a performance that highlighted the high level of competition that characterised the race.
In the women’s 10-kilometre contest, Nancy Cheprui secured first place and received UGX 5,000,000. Charity Chebet finished second and earned UGX 4,000,000, while Gloria Chebet came third and took home UGX 3,000,000.
Uganda’s journey to health, wealth creation and national pride can continuously be strengthened through deliberate support for indigenous crops, value addition and citizen participation in transformative initiatives. The Olympic Day Tooke Run has reinforced a shared vision of a healthier, more productive and self-reliant nation.
