Meet the 89-year-old woman who never misses Kabaka birthday run

At 89 years, it’s unlikely for one to actively participate in a long-distance running race, but this is not the case with Ms Gertrude Nakabazzi, alias Jjajja Kalaala.
For the last five consecutive years, she has been part of the mammoth crowds that throng Mengo in Kampala, the seat of Buganda Kingdom to participate in the annual Kabaka birthday run.

Ms Nakabazzi’s motivation to go against the old age and participate in the annual run is due to the extra ordinary love she has for her king (Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II) and the kingdom at large.
“I grew up seeing my father, the late Yacob Nammengo, serving the Ssekabaka (fallen Kabaka). My father used to work in the palace and all he had, he got it from serving and loving his kingdom,” Ms Nakabazzi says.

When asked how she has managed to financially pay for the last five Kabaka birthday run, her face brightens before saying she is a traditional birth attendant, an occupation from where she gets a source of living.
“I have been saving Shs20,000 every year for the Kabaka’s birthday run. The money caters for buying a ticket at Shs10, 000 and the remaining balance goes for my transport fare on a boda boda,” the old woman told the kingdom prime minister, Mr Charles Peter Mayiga, who had paid her a courtesy visit on Wednesday at her home in Soweto Zone in Nabweru, Nansana Town Council, Wakiso District.

She says although she does not run the entire race, she is happy that she can walk.
On what makes her fit, Ms Nakabazzi reveals that she wakes up very early at 6am and freshens up her body as she listens to her radio to know the current affairs, especially in the kingdom.
Ms Nakabazzi’s dream is to have Buganda Kingdom build its own hospital where the subjects can get cheaper treatment.

“Buganda surely needs a hospital. Supposing our Kabaka falls sick, where can we take him? The KatikKiro should carry out the fundraising campaign for this noble cause,” she requested.
Mr Mayiga, who was given coffee seeds on his arrival as the culture demands in Buganda, advised the people of Buganda, most especially the youth to emulate the old woman and show love and support for the kingdom’s activities.

Kabaka’s birthday run

The Kabaka birthday run is an annual event that is organised by the Mengo establishment alongside a host of companies that sponsor the celebration of the king’s birthday.
The proceeds from the marathon are usually used to cater for the treatment of various diseases such as fistula and sickle cells, among other diseases.
This years run was flagged off by the Kabaka ahead of his 64th birthday celebrations at Ndejje Secondary School in Luweero District. More than 60,000 runners hit the road.

[email protected]