Dfcu, President’s office, unite refugees and Ugandans in Kampala Urban Marathon.
Kampala, Uganda: Over 10,000 runners, including refugees from across Africa and Ugandan nationals, took to the streets of Kampala on Sunday, July 20, for the second edition of the Urban Refugee Marathon, a major peace and integration drive backed by dfcu Bank and the Office of the President.
The event, flagged off by Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, the 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs at Old Kampala Secondary School, brought together participants from countries including Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, DR Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, and Nigeria in a show of solidarity and shared community with Ugandans.
Hon Kadaga hailed the marathon as a powerful platform for uniting host communities and refugees. “This marathon brings them together with the Ugandan community to see that they are working together, living together, and progressing together,” she said.
“We are the highest refugee-hosting country in the world, and we are unique. We don’t keep refugees in camps only—we allow them to live, work, and thrive in communities.”
Ambassador Abbey Walusimbi, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, emphasized that the marathon echoed President Museveni’s Pan-African vision and the African Union’s unity agenda.
“This is about unity, togetherness, and embracing our brothers and sisters who are refugees,” Walusimbi said. “President Museveni has always insisted that Uganda must treat refugees with dignity.”
Also speaking at the event, Emmanuel Walani, Undersecretary in the Office of the President, reaffirmed government protection for all refugees, regardless of how long they stay. “Whether temporarily or long-term, Uganda guarantees safety and dignity for all refugees within our borders,” Walani noted.
The CEO of African Initiatives for Relief and Development, Fikru Abebe, said his organisation continues to prioritize shelter, water, transport, and food access to enhance refugee welfare.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, through its deputy head, pledged to crack down on corruption and exploitation in refugee documentation and service delivery processes.
Corporate & Institutional Support
dfcu Bank emerged among the lead sponsors, supporting logistics, branding, and staff volunteer efforts during the marathon. Other notable partners included Uganda Police Force, Mulago National Referral Hospital, FARAS, Uganda Red Cross Society, NIRA, URA, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, IOM, UNHCR, and Gonder Shalom Limited.
Organisers revealed that future editions will rotate across Uganda’s refugee-hosting districts, with cultural galas and inter-ministerial conferences planned to deepen collaboration on integration and service delivery.
“This is about setting the standard for inclusive development,” said one organiser. “Uganda continues to show that refugee policies must be humane, practical, and community-based.”