As part of the prepartions, another Olympic Day Tooke Run breakfast meeting and media engagement was held at the PIBID/BIRDIC TBI in Bushenyi, where the run will be taking place.

This breakfast engagement graced by the President of the Uganda Olympic Committee and President of Commonwealth Sport, Dr. Donald Rukare. The Director General, PIBID/BIRDC, Nutrition Ambassador Uganda Olympics and Commonwealth Games, Rev. Florence Isabirye Muranga (PhD) was also in attendance as well as other local leaders.

Held under the theme “Move, Learn and Discover with Nutrition-Care,” the Olympic Day Tooke Run seeks to combine the values of Olympism with the promotion of proper nutrition and healthy living. The event will feature 5KM, 10KM, and 21KM race categories and is expected to attract elite athletes, recreational runners, students, corporate organizations, and community participants from across the country.

The Director General of PIBID/BIRDC and Nutrition Ambassador for Uganda Olympics and Commonwealth Games, Rev. Prof. Florence Isabirye Muranga, highlighted the need for proper nutrition for athletes.

“To compete at the highest global levels, our athletes need more than talent and training. They require scientifically backed and grounded nutrition. The human body requires high-quality fuel, particularly carbohydrates and healthy fats, to sustain energy. Furthermore, hydration and electrolyte balance regulate body temperature, lubricate joints, prevent debilitating muscle cramps and maintain healthy cardiovascular function during exertion” she said.

“Through a tailored nutritional programme therefore, athletes can achieve and maintain their ideal body composition, maximising their power-to-weight ratio, agility and overall mechanical efficiency. In simple terms: Without proper nutrition, peak performance is not sustainable” she added.

In his speech, the UOC President, Dr. Donald Rukare highlighted a number of things, from the need for proper nutrition for the athletes to their commitment with PIBID/BIRDC.

“Over the past months, the Uganda Olympic Committee/ Commonwealth Games Uganda and PIBID/BIRDC have forged a collaboration grounded in the core values of Olympism— Excellence, Respect, and Friendship. These values guide our athletes, but they also guide institutions that aspire to transform communities and build a healthier nation.

A central pillar of this partnership is nutrition for sports performance. We know that excellence on the track, in the ring, or on the field begins long before competition day. It begins with what our athletes eat. Proper nutrition fuels endurance, sharpens focus, accelerates recovery, and extends athletic careers.

Without it, talent alone cannot carry an athlete to the podium. This is where PIBID/BIRDC brings unmatched value. Through innovation in banana industrial development—particularly the Tooke products PIBID/BIRDC is demonstrating that Uganda can produce high-quality, nutrient-rich foods that support both community wellbeing and elite sports performance. Our partnership is therefore not symbolic; it is strategic. It positions sport as a platform for promoting better nutrition, and nutrition as a foundation for sporting excellence.

The Olympic Day Tooke Run is the national expression of this shared vision. It is more than a celebration of Olympism. It is a call to action inviting communities to embrace healthier lifestyles, encouraging families to adopt better nutrition habits, and demonstrating how local agricultural innovation can support both everyday health and high-performance sport.”

He concluded by reaffirming their partnership with PIBID/BIRDC. He said, “As President of the UOC/CGU, I reaffirm our long-term commitment to this partnership. We are building systems that will outlast events—systems that support athletes, empower communities, and contribute to national development.”

The Olympic Day Tooke Run is expected to serve as a fundraising platform to support athlete preparation and nutrition initiatives, while also raising awareness about the fight against malnutrition in Uganda.

The inaugural run will take place in Bushenyi District on 20th June 2026, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni expected to participate as the chief runner.

The event shall start at 6am at the Bushenyi stadium and kits go for only 35,000 shs. The kit comes with a bag, vest, cap and bottle. Tap here to register for the run.