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By ORISHABA PROSSYSANGA, KIRUHURA – Mwesigwa Resorts in Sanga came alive on 5th June 2026 as stakeholders gathered for a fundraising breakfast in support of the annual Tooke Run. Organizers announced over 6,000 race kits targeted, prizes for marathon categories, and plans for a new 402‑acre Tooke factory in Rutete, Nshaara, Kiruhura District. President H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will lead the race as Chief Runner.
Guests were welcomed with a self‑service breakfast of Tooke snacks — bread, cookies, cakes, biscuits and other matooke‑based products from PIBID/BIRDC. The spread itself told the story: Uganda’s green banana transformed into premium, gluten‑free, export‑ready foods.
Mr. Henry Mugisha, Tooke brand ambassador and Chief Intercessor of the Archbishop, welcomed guests on arrival, helped them find their seats and also ushered in the Director General of PIBID/BIRDC Prof. Rev. Florence Muranga Isabirye. The event opened with the anthems of Uganda, East Africa and PIBID, followed by an opening prayer. Afterwards, the Tooke brand ambassador Henry Mugisha handed over to LC5 Mukago Tatebeya, who welcomed guests to his region, thanked the mobilizing team, and praised government support for the new tooke factory to be constructed in Nshaara. He highlighted that the new Rutete factory on 402 acres will begin with a mega bakery before expanding into full matooke processing
MC Rodger Mugisha steered the ceremony later and guided speakers of the day who included Mr. Matovu, who delivered the opening remarks and a presentation outlining the Tooke Run’s objectives and impact to our guests.The Tooke Run is themed “Move, Learn, Discover with Nutrition‑Care” and continues to link fitness with proper nutrition using Tooke’s gluten‑free, resistant starch products.
Its objectives include:
Nutritional support for vulnerable groups.
Sponsorship of athletes to the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.
Promotion of healthy lifestyles through communal activities.
Awareness of Tooke products as sustainable energy sources.
Support for banana farmers by linking them to global markets
Mr. Masaba Timothy the events manager of the Tooke run went on to breakdown for us the races that will be run on the 20th June 2026 and explaining to us who can participate and where the routes will pass. He went ahead to explain how the Tooke 21km marathon has the biggest prize in history for the runs that have been organized by the Uganda Olympic Committee in Uganda which is 15 million Uganda shillings.
Mr. Israel Arinaitwe who spoke on behalf of the Executive Director of Stanbic Bank who was Chief Fundraiser for the event. He highlighted the purpose of Stanbic bank which is to drive the growth of Uganda through supporting farmers, women and the youth through agro-industrialisation, value addition and growing businesses through offering loans and nutrition causes like the Tooke run.
The Director General of PIBID/BIRDC Prof. Rev. Florence Muranga Isabirye gave us a brief background of PIBID and Tooke products, their purpose, nutritional value and the cause that was behind the initiative. Prof. Muranga highlighted that the new tooke plant to be constructed in Nshaara will decongest Bushenyi and expand market access for farmers in Isingiro, Masaka, Mbarara, and across Western Uganda.
Stakeholders were urged to support the run and the call was answered: kits were bought on the spot, and individuals and organizations pledged support. Organizers confirmed: more than 2,000 kits already sold, 2,000 ready for sale, and another 2,000 to be produced. Prizes were announced for winners in the 21km, 10km, and 5km categories, motivating elite athletes, students, families, and corporate teams.
The breakfast drew a number of elite athletes including Mr. Moses Kipsro among others alongside UOC representatives, councilors, and local leaders who briefed us on how prepared they are for the tooke run.
Hon. Bright Rwamirama, State Minister for Animal Industry, served as Chief Guest and presided over the fundraising. Guests also officially thanked H.E. Museveni for supporting initiatives that are transforming matooke from a subsistence crop into a competitive industry. Tooke, the flagship brand under PIBID established in 2005, now feeds athletes preparing for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and families across Uganda and abroad.
, https://eastafricanwatch.net/tooke-run-fundraising-breakfast-unites-kiruhura-for-nutrition-sport-and-industry-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tooke-run-fundraising-breakfast-unites-kiruhura-for-nutrition-sport-and-industry-2
