President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has praised the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) for harnessing the power of sports to promote agriculture, healthy living, tourism, and economic transformation during the inaugural Olympic Day Tooke Run in Bushenyi District.
The event held under the theme “Move, Learn and Discover for Nutrition Care” is organized by the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development Centre in partnership with the Uganda Olympic Committee is creating awareness to care for the Nutrition of Atheletes.
In a message delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, the President described the Tooke Run as an innovative initiative that brings together sports, culture, tourism, and agricultural value addition while showcasing Uganda’s flagship banana products.
The event, which formed part of the global Olympic Day celebrations, attracted hundreds of participants, including athletes, government officials, community leaders, students, and residents from across the country.
“I am happy to be part of this inaugural Tooke Run and appreciate your invitation to an occasion that reminds me of our efforts towards popularizing our staple food, matooke, now branded as Tooke through the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development,” President Museveni said in his message.
The President noted that he had witnessed the Tooke initiative grow from its infancy into a nationally recognized project that is creating opportunities for farmers, promoting value addition, and contributing to Uganda’s industrialization agenda.
He emphasized that matooke is not only a staple food but also a symbol of Uganda’s cultural heritage and identity. According to the President, innovations spearheaded under PIBID are helping modernize banana processing and increasing the value derived from the crop.
“We are moving forward and we are unstoppable,” he said, underscoring the importance of technology and innovation in transforming agriculture and improving livelihoods.
President Museveni reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting banana industrialization, describing it as a transformative venture with immense potential to create wealth and uplift communities across the country.
He also commended Rev. Prof. Florence Isabirye Muranga and her team for their dedication to advancing the initiative and for taking the message of banana value addition directly to communities through public engagement activities such as the Tooke Run.
The Deputy Speaker, speaking on behalf of the President, said the project has the potential to significantly transform communities and pledged continued parliamentary support for initiatives that promote innovation and socio-economic development.
He emphasized the importance of community participation in ensuring the success of the project and welcomed efforts aimed at raising public awareness about the economic opportunities associated with banana value addition.
Speaking about the significance of Olympic Day, President Museveni said the celebration serves as a reminder of the power of sports to unite people and promote healthy lifestyles.
“When you run for Tooke, you promote health because food sustains us and provides the nutrition and energy we need. You are also promoting tourism, agriculture, talent, and culture, which are part of our national pride,” the President noted.
He urged Ugandans to support locally developed products and innovations, encouraging citizens to “grow what you eat and eat what you grow” as a strategy for increasing household incomes and strengthening participation in the money economy.
The President officially flagged off the Tooke Run and called upon Ugandans to remain patriotic, embrace home-grown innovations, and work collectively to eradicate poverty.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre (BIRDC) under the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development, Rev. Prof. Florence Isabirye Muranga, applauded the Government of Uganda for its unwavering support toward scientific innovation and sports development.
Prof. Muranga described the event as a celebration of Uganda’s growing international capacity, recognizing athletes who continue to raise the country’s flag on the global stage.
She credited the progress made by PIBID and BIRDC to deliberate government efforts aimed at supporting scientists and innovators from research to commercialization.
“We want to thank the government for not giving up on the journey it started to empower scientists to do what they do until their innovations reach the marketplace,” she said.
Prof. Muranga highlighted the growing partnership between BIRDC and the Uganda Olympic Committee, explaining that the collaboration seeks to promote locally developed nutrition solutions to enhance athletes’ performance and well-being.
She revealed that when the Olympic fraternity approached the institution to support initiatives aimed at improving athletes’ nutrition, PIBID embraced the idea and elevated it into a national cause.
“We felt that we had to raise this matter to national importance. That is why we are here today, and why we continue to call upon government to support innovation in this space so that our sportsmen and women can achieve their full potential as they compete internationally,” she said.
According to Prof. Muranga, Uganda’s innovations, particularly those arising from banana value addition, have the potential to make significant contributions to sports nutrition, public health, and economic transformation.
She noted that the event was not only about sports but also about showcasing Uganda’s home-grown innovations and demonstrating the role of science and technology in national development.
The ceremony featured a series of races and activities promoting healthy living, innovation, and national pride. Participants are competing in the 5km, 10km, and 21km races, vying for a share of the total prize purse of UGX 120 million.
The inaugural Tooke Run marked a significant milestone in efforts to promote Uganda’s banana industry while celebrating Olympic Day, underscoring the growing connection between sports, health, innovation, and socio-economic development.
