Undeterred by a heavy morning downpour, thousands of runners in green and gold kits gathered at Makerere University on Sunday for the 6th edition of the Makerere Marathon, this year raising funds to equip the university’s Disability Support Centre.
Participants began arriving as early as 5:00 AM. Students, alumni, corporate teams and invited guests took part in the 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km races, alongside a 3km wheelchair race designed to include people of different abilities and fitness levels.
All races were flagged off at the Makerere Main Building parking lot, with Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth as Chief Runner. He was joined by Makerere University Chancellor and Second Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga.
Other dignitaries included Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara; NCBA Bank Uganda CEO Mr. Mark Anthony Muyobo; MTN Mobile Money (U) Limited Managing Director Mr. Phrase Lubega; and Dr. Maggie Kigozi, Board Chairperson of the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF). Representatives of partner institutions and sponsors also attended.
Welcoming the guests in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe said the university felt privileged to host the Speaker and the Chancellor, and thanked them for flagging off the runners despite the weather. Along the route, crowds cheered, blew trumpets and waved flags as tired but smiling runners crossed the finish line.
Marathon Proceeds Transforming Disability Services
During a guided tour of the Disability Support Centre at the Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Centre Manager Ms. Elizabeth Rwabu said marathon proceeds have directly changed the services offered. “The Makerere Marathon has been the primary driver of our growth as a centre, allowing us to support approximately one hundred and fifty-five students who rely on our services,” she said.
She showed guests equipment acquired so far, including an all-in-one printer for regular and large-print jobs and scanning, and a braille embosser used to transcribe students’ notes. She also noted that the centre has procured electric wheelchairs that students with disabilities can borrow.
Ms. Catherine Nakibuuka, Chairperson of the Makerere University Disability Students Association and a visually impaired Bachelor of Laws student, explained two of the devices in use. The Eye Magnifier enlarges small print for students with visual impairments. The Focus Blue 40 is a portable note-taking device that replaces older, bulky and noisy braille machines, can be used in meetings or courtrooms, and connects to a computer so sighted people can view what the user is reading.
Nakibuuka thanked the Endowment Fund, the university and the marathon organisers, saying the initiative makes education more inclusive. Dr. Kigozi said she was glad to hear the Fund was proving useful, and pledged that it “will continue to work with the centre until they achieve more.”
Plans for More Support Units
Dr. Magara acknowledged that the current centre may not be enough for the whole university. “One of our goals is to have these centers in every other department of the university,” she said, adding that smaller units, possibly in each hall of residence, would spare students with disabilities long walks across campus.
Speaker Pledges Parliament’s Support
Speaker Oboth commended university leadership for what he called innovative leadership behind the marathon, saying the event is gaining traction and momentum and raising awareness on disability and its other yearly themes. Addressing students with disabilities, he drew a distinction between sympathy and compassion: “What the students with disability need is not our sympathy. You need our compassion. You need the support.”
He made a personal contribution and pledged Parliament’s backing, inviting Makerere to work with Parliament through the Clerk for the next marathon “so that we can take center stage.” He also encouraged the students to persevere: “Makerere University is built on a hill, so every day you climb the hill, you are breaking a barrier.”
A Student’s Perspective
Nalumansi Sharon, a third-year Bachelor of Applied Psychology student with a disability, won the 3km wheelchair race, receiving her dummy cheque from Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Sarah Ssali and Lord Mayor of Kampala Eng. Ronald Balimwezo.
Sharon said she took part to contribute to a cause that supports her peers. She noted that Makerere’s hilly terrain makes mobility difficult and urged donors to contribute toward electric wheelchairs. She thanked the Endowment Fund for mobilising sponsors and the public, and praised the centre for giving students a place to complete coursework, receive guidance and access printing services.
Sponsors Back the Cause
At the marathon’s launch on July 1, 2026, NCBA CEO Mark Muyobo, whose bank is the Platinum Sponsor, said the partnership rests on a shared conviction that education is one of the greatest investments a nation can make. “Supporting its future is an investment in our country’s future,” he said.
MTN Mobile Money’s Lubega said the company believes every Ugandan deserves a modern quality of life, and that beyond its core services it values initiatives like sports that connect people and foster innovation.
Organised by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF) with partners, this year’s edition will equip the Disability Support Centre with assistive equipment enabling students with disabilities to read, type and hear university assignments and participate more fully in academic life, reflecting Makerere’s commitment that disability should not be a barrier to quality university education.
