The Ker Alur kingdom bicycle races continue to garner support as the residents and youth of Padyere county streamed into this weekend’s races.
The bicycle races have been attracting a big number of youths who are passionate about their culture and sports activities in general with the goal of talent identification and the call to action in ending early marriages and teenage pregnancies.
As the competitions rave on, the eagerly awaited 12th coronation anniversary of the King of Ker Alur, His Royal Majesty Ubimu Philip Rauni III draws closer and with it brings joy and excitement. The coronation anniversary will take place in October with celebrations to mark the majestic end to the recent bicycle races.
This weekend was graced with participants from all chiefdoms in the country in anticipation of the upcoming coronation anniversary next month. The races have been graced with the King’s message that reproaches the vices of early marriages that result in school dropouts, teenage pregnancies, and increased mortality rates.
The MTN Ker Alur Padyere county women’s race was won by Charity Ayikuru who emerged number one in the competition held at the Nebbi playground in Nebbi municipality. Ayikuru was awarded two goats for her win as she remarkably competed against 30 other participants in a 7-kilometer race. Ayikuru maintained the same speed from the start point to the finish line showcasing great resilience and talent. She had the crowds ululating and cheering her on as she crossed the finish line.
“I am so pleased with my win because MTN has given me the opportunity to show that women too can compete in sports and win fairly. The two goats I have received will help me in making money to pay school fees for my young children so they can attain a brighter future.” Ayikuru said after winning the race.
Ayikuru added that this race was a learning point that they as a community should change their mindsets and sensitize their young girls to distance themselves away from early marriages and teenage pregnancy and put education as a top priority if they are to have a better future.
In the men’s race, Anthony Kumakech emerged as the winner, walking away with two goats while his father, Gilbert Opakrwoth was rewarded with one goat for being the most outstanding participant.
Hassan Sebilweriwa the Deputy RDC of Nebbi district, who also graced the bicycle race added his voice to the other leaders’ voices in sensitizing the Nebbi residents against the harmful traditional practices that endanger girls’ futures. Also present were officials from Action Aid Uganda and Plan International who also applauded MTN for sponsoring the races that have eased the sensitization of the people in the KerAlur subregion against early marriages and teenage pregnancies.
The LC III Chairperson of Thatha division Ms. Opar Jacklyn applauded MTN Uganda for sponsoring the bicycle races that champion the message of ending early marriages and putting a stop to teenage pregnancies.
“These races have given us a platform to talk about the negative impact of early marriages that lead to school dropouts and teenage pregnancies. These girls are usually too young for marriage and childbirth and also don’t have access to health care which later results in raised mortality rates. We must put an end to this vicious practice and preserve our girls” said Ms. Opar Jacklyn.
MTN Uganda is partnering with the Ker Alur Kingdom to promote the kingdom’s cultural values and MTN Uganda’s CSR policy with the talent identification objectives under the theme “Ending Child Pregnancy and marriage in Alur land”.
The bicycle races are a build-up to the 12th coronation anniversary of the King of Ker Alur, His Royal majesty Ubimu Philip Rauni III, in October this year. This follows the partnerships between MTN and the Ker Alur kingdom signed in 2019