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The activity kicked off at about 7:30 am from Kololo airstrip, via Yusufu Lule road, through Kamwokya and back to the airstrip. Health minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng during the National Day Of Physical Activity at Kololo. The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, was the chief walker representing His Excellency the President Yoweri Museveni.
Hundreds of people Sunday morning took part in the ongoing National Day of Physical Activity, trekking a distance of about seven Kilometres. ;
The activity kicked off at about 7:30 am from Kololo airstrip, via Yusufu Lule road, through Kamwokya and back to the airstrip.
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, was the chief walker representing His Excellency the President. Also present was the Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the State Minister for Primary Healthcare Margret Muhanga, Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze who is the Director of Public Health at the health ministry, Dr. Nicholas Kamara representing the parliamentary NCD forum and Moses Gololo, the entertainer among many.
The principal medical officer in the department of NCDs, Frank Mugabe, said the activity is aimed at creating public awareness about the importance of physical activity in the prevention of non-communicable diseases.
Chief Walker Dr.Ruth Nankabirwa (Second right) representing President Yoweri Museveni is seen with Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (R) during the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
The Minister Of Energy and Mineral Development and Chief Walker Dr.Ruth Nankabirwa (Second right) representing President Yoweri Museveni is seen with Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (R) during the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
The Minister Of Energy and Mineral Development and Chief Walker Dr.Ruth Nankabirwa (Second right) representing President Yoweri Museveni is seen during aerobics with Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (R) during the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
The Minister Of Energy and Mineral Development and Chief Walker Dr.Ruth Nankabirwa (L) representing President Yoweri Museveni is seen during aerobics with Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (R) shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
The Minister Of Energy and Mineral Development and Chief Walker Dr.Ruth Nankabirwa (L) representing President Yoweri Museveni is seen during aerobics with Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (R) shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
The Minister Of Energy and Mineral Development and Chief Walker Dr.Ruth Nankabirwa (Second R) representing President Yoweri Museveni is seen during aerobics with Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (R) shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
State Minister for Health incharge of Primary Education Dr.Joyce Kaducu is seen participating in the aerobics shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Participants are seen in action during Aerobics shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Participants are seen in action during aerobics shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
The Minister Of Energy and Mineral Development,Chief Walker Dr.Ruth Nankabirwa (Second right) representing President Yoweri Museveni is seen with Health Minister Dr.Ruth Aceng (R) during the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Participants led by Fitness guru Robert Ssebugwawo (Second right) are seen in action during Aerobics shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Participants led by Fitness guru Robert Ssebugwawo (3rd left) are seen in action during Aerobics shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Participants led by Fitness guru Robert Ssebugwawo (Second right) are seen in action during Aerobics shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Nakasero Primary School:School Children are seen participating in the aerobics shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Participants led by Fitness guru Robert Ssebugwawo (left) are seen in action during Aerobics shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates..
Participants led by Fitness guru Robert Ssebugwawo is seen in action during Aerobics shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Chief Walker Dr.Ruth Nankabirwa (L) representing President Yoweri Museveni is seen with the Health Minister Dr. Ruth Aceng ( Second L) during Aerobics shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Participants led by Fitness guru Robert Ssebugwawo (Second right) are seen in action during Aerobics shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Participants led by Fitness guru Robert Ssebugwawo (right) are seen in action during Aerobics shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Nakasero Primary School:School Children are seen performing shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates. 
Nakasero Primary School:School Children are seen performing shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Scouts are seen participating in the group Photo shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Scouts welcome the health Minister Dr.Ruth Aceng as they salute her on their stall shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Scouts welcome the health Minister Dr.Ruth Aceng her on their stall shortly after the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Uganda Police Band in action during the walk.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
The World Health Organization(WHO) defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by the skeletal muscles that require energy expenditure. ;
The same agency (WHO) estimates that one in three women and one in four men do not do enough physical activity to stay healthy. Levels of inactivity are as twice as high in high-income countries compared to low-income countries. ;
The burden in Uganda
The burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) continues to rise in Uganda. The 2018 Ministry of Health reports show that 33% of annual deaths were due to major NCDs including; diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancers and chronic respiratory conditions.
;Collectively with injuries, violence, mental health and substance abuse, annual deaths were reported at 40%. Yet, evidence shows that for each 10% rise in NCDs, there is a 0.5% loss in annual economic growth.
Moreover, for our context, NCDs manifest earlier in life compared to high-income countries.
;If Uganda is to leverage its demographic dividends of having a youthful population, NCDs have to be tackled and prioritized to increase the productivity of its population, says Dr. Kamara.
Background
The national day physical activity is an annual event that was launched by President Yoweri Museveni in July 2018 aiming at sensitizing the public not only on the importance of physical activity but on all aspects of a healthy lifestyle.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).