UCAA Conducts 2024 Aviation run, proceeds to empower Girls in sanitary health

The management of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority on Sunday October 20, 2024, successfully held the 2024 aviation run which was graced by several participants. The run was organized by management of the Authority (UCAA) in conjunction with Uganda Aeronautical information service officers’ Association (UGAISOA).  The third edition run involved two categories including the 5km race and 10 km race respectively. The participants were flagged off at Entebbe Mayor’s gardens by the authority’s Director General Fred Bamwesigye, who also took part in the 5km race. 

Addressing the media after the run, Mr. Fred Bamwesigye noted that this year’s aviation run is one of the events organized by the Authority to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) slated for this year in early December in Chicago, USA.

“This is the 80^th year since the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was formed in Chicago in the United States of Africa. The celebrations will take place from 10^th-11^th December, 2024, ‘Mr. Bamwesigye revealed.

Bamwesigye explained that the proceeds from the aviation run will be used to construct sanitary towel facilities in the districts of Jinja and Namayingo respectively.

“Today we are doing social corporate responsibility as a way of giving back to the community, especially the most vulnerable communities.  All the proceeds shall be used to help young girls in the districts of Jinja and Namayingo to acquire sanitary pads which had hampered many school going girls to achieve their future dream.

‘The run is a good mobilization tool that creates awareness that there are people in the community who can’t afford services but seriously need them. In our subsequent runs, we want to help schools with dilapidated buildings so that they can get decent classrooms and some books.

‘ Our first edition of Aviation run was in 2019, and all the proceeds were given to Entebbe General Referral hospital .We supplied the health facility with face masks, surgical blades and other items used in the theater. 

‘In 2020 shortly after COVID 19 pandemic, we held the second edition of our run and this was intended to help school going children with disabilities to get involved in an inclusive learning environment . Remember during COVID 19 period children were learning on radios, TV stations and social media and so the deaf and blind were not catered for that’s why shortly after the lockdown we thought to hold a run to help them achieve their ambitions.

“ Early this year when we saw a video clip on social media from Budondo ward, Jinja district showing girls using soil and polythene bags to make sanitary pads we felt so sorry for them hence we decided to hold this year’s aviation run to raise money to construct a sanitary pad facility that will serve young girls who are still studying.’

 Mr. Fred Bamwesigye also noted that due to public demand the authority is pondering on holding the aviation run every year than having it after every two years.

He further added that:”The growth of the aviation industry is also seen from the performance of passenger traffic, which is continuing to increase during the post COVID -19 period. In September 2024, Entebbe International Airport recorded a total of 188,710 passengers, of which 100,350 were arriving and 88,360 departing passengers, an average of 6,290 per day compared to the 5,710 per day recorded in the same month of September 2023. Cargo recorded a total of 5,739 metric tonnes in September 2024 93,701 exports and 2,038 imports), ‘Mr. Bamwesigye disclosed.

The president of Uganda Aeronautical information service officers’ Association (UGAISOA), Mr. Moses Obbi revealed that:

“Early this year, we saw a video clip on social media from the Budondo zone in Jinja district, showing girls using soil and polythene bags to make sanitary pads, a situation which was so appalling. So I took my team and we visited the community and we discovered they needed empowerment on sanitary pads. During our survey in the Budondo zone, Jinja district, we found many donations of sanitary pads that easily expire with a few reusable ones. We don’t believe in donating but we believe in teaching people to make their own things.

‘This year’s aviation run is intended to construct sanitary pad facilities that will help the community make their own sanitary pads and sell them among themselves. In Namayingo district, Namayingo primary school will house the sanitary towel facility to serve the whole district. Then in Budondo zone, Jinja district, we have identified the place and talks are ongoing with the Landlord to have a 2 year commitment with landlord to put up a sanitary facility which will be used to train the girls to make their own sanitary pads and sell them within the community at an affordable price.

“We will offer the necessary supervision to ensure the community is running the business very well and we shall give more support by bringing development partners on board to help them grow the facility into a bigger one so that it can  serve the entire community. Probably by February next we shall begin the construction works of the sanitary facility project. ‘

Meanwhile, in the 10km race for men, Daniel Comboni emerged winner, Alex Agiko (runners up). In the women’s category Jacinta Nambuya was the winner, Viola Kalembe (runners up) and Linda Nabukera (2nd runners up). The winners in the 10km race each won a gold medal and Shs.500.000 while the runners up each won a silver medal and Shs 300.000 and the second runners up each won a bronze medal and Shs.200, 000.

In the 5km race for men, Raymond Omara emerged winner, followed by Patrick Labeja and Lymon Tomanya (2^nd runners up). In the women’s 5km race, Patience Asasira was the winner, Praise Natukunda (runners up) and Gift Amutaire (2nd runners up). The overall winners in this category each won a gold medal and Shs .300, 000, the runners up each won a silver medal and Shs. 200,000 and the second runners up each won a bronze and Shs .100, 000.