On a vibrant Sunday morning filled with energy, commitment, and the spirit of service, Wezesha Girls Network Uganda joined hundreds of passionate individuals in the annual Kabaka Birthday Run 2025, to mobilize local support for youth living with HIV amidst USAID funding cuts, held in celebration of the 70th birthday of the Kabaka of Buganda, His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. This year’s run coincided with Good Deeds Day, a global movement that promotes doing good for the benefit of others and the planet making the event even more meaningful.
Themed “Ending HIV by 2030,” the run brought together people from all walks of life who share a united vision of a healthy, HIV-free Uganda. Among them were the vibrant young women of Wezesha Girls Network Uganda, a grassroots movement dedicated to empowering girls and advocating for their rights, health, and education.
Our participation contributed to voices and to show that we as a community are ready to stand in the gap, while global funding maybe uncertain,our commitment to Uganda’s young peopleis not. As international support declines, the message is clear, now is the time for Uganda to unite and act boldly through local mobilization effort in response to the recent USAID cuts to HIV funding in Uganda,, which have severely affected access to essential services for vulnerable groups especially youth. so joining this run is not just about the kilometers we cover, but the message we carry that together, we can end HIV in our generation.
Our participation is part of advocacy for sexual and reproductive health education, HIV prevention, and empowering adolescent girls and young women to take charge of their health. Through community-based initiatives and peer-led dialogues, the network continues to challenge stigma and misinformation surrounding HIV, while fostering inclusive support networks for girls and young women.
As the drumbeat of the run echoed through Kampala’s streets, it served as a reminder that the goal of an HIV-free generation is not a distant dream ,it is within reach, with continued commitment, collaboration, and compassion.
Wezesha Girls Network Uganda extends gratitude to the organizers of the Kabaka Birthday Run and the broader Good Deeds Day community for creating space where youth voices and grassroots efforts can thrive. The race may be over, but the mission continues until every girl, every family, and every community is free from the burden of HIV.
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