Kagadi Town Council residents on Friday took to the streets to witness the ongoing competition of the first ever bicycle race in the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom courtesy of MTN Uganda.
The Kagadi District LCV chairperson, Yosia Ndibwami, flagged off the race at Kagadi Model Primary School. He applauded MTN Uganda for its partnership with the kingdom to spearhead numerous development programs.
“We are seeing bicycle race competition in Kagadi District for the first time in history and this is a great achievement. As subjects of the kingdom, we are happy,” Ndibwami said.
“MTN has also supported the kingdom in very many activities including organizing the Empango ceremony and we appreciate its continued support.”
Alozio Bagamba, the county chief for the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom for Kagadi District applauded MTN for supporting the kingdom.
“We have enjoyed great relationships with MTN, and in particular, the kingdom has always been supported coronation anniversary of the Omukama which is always in June every year,” Alozio said.
Best performers rewarded
Five male and two female cyclists were rewarded for their best performances after the race. Christopher Kabagambe emerged as the overall winner taking the first position and was rewarded with a cash prize of UGX 500,000, followed by Barnabas Tugumikirize, who emerged second and was rewarded with UGX 400,000.
Richard Tumusiime came in the third position and was rewarded with a cash price of UGX 300,000 whereas Joseph Bright and Emmanuel emerged in the fourth and fifth position, respectively, and were each rewarded with a cash prize of UGX 100,000.
Two female cyclists – Noeline Kutesa and one Kirabo – were also rewarded with Shs 100,000 each for their participation, and automatically qualified for the finals.
Currently, the sole sponsor for the Bunyoro Kitara kingdom’s empaka ze gaali 2022, MTN Uganda, has been rewarding each of the top five winners in the races that are set to take place in all 13 counties of the kingdom ahead of the grand finale that will be held in Hoima City.
The first-ever bicycle race competition sponsored by MTN Uganda was recently successfully concluded in Tooro Kingdom and Ker Alur Kingdom. More such races launched in other cultural institutions namely; Busoga Kingdom and Ker Kwaro Acholi.
MTN Uganda is committed to championing cultural heritage to foster unity and togetherness through sponsoring sports initiatives that also act as a platform for talent identification and a place to create awareness around social issues to bolster community growth and development.
