Stanbic Bank Uganda has Tuesday boosted the forthcoming MTN Marathon with Shs 225 million worth of financial support. The contribution will help to combat the exposure of schoool going children to cancer caused by the asbestos roofing in Kampala and also improve maternal health services at Kiswa and Komamboga Health centres.
The cheque by Stanbic Bank was presented by the Head of Corporate and Investment Banking Edwin Mucai at the bank’s Crested Towers headquarters in Kampala. MTN Uganda’s General Manager Anthony Katamba received the cheque at the press event that was also attended by MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer Olivier Prentout and Senior Manager for Corporate Affairs Justina Ntabagoba.
The MTN marathon is slated to take place on Sunday November 19 at Kololo Independence Grounds with races of 10kms, 20kms and 42kms, targeting a total of 25,000 participants. Since 2004, when the first marathon was organized, a total of Shs 2.8 billion has been raised to support different social causes.
Mucai revealed that support to the annual marathon goes to further cement a business relationship that both Stanbic and MTN have enjoyed in Uganda for the last 14 years.
“The impact that the MTN Marathon has had over the years is so central to our social responsibility. We are looking for even more ways to contribute meaningfully to the transformation of Uganda,” Mucai told the press.
Stanbic’s financial support to this year’s marathon has risen by Shs 5 million compared to the Shs 220 million in 2016. This, Mucai said, speaks to the bank’s commitment to improve maternal health and access to quality education.
“Education is a key pillar to unlocking Uganda’s potential. The majority of our population are youths and to enable them realize their potential, we must help them acquire better education,” Mucai added.
MTN Uganda says this year’s run will be different given that it has given participants an opportunity to choose which cause (maternal health and education) that they would wish to support.
“We have also introduced a 5 kilometer family fun run where people can run, walk or even ride bikes at their own pace,” Olivier Prentout said.
Anthony Katamba lauded Stanbic’s contribution saying; “We appreciate the partnership Stanbic has provided over the years by proving shared efforts is what’s needed to transform lives in our communities.”
According to Justina Ntabagoba the Senior Manager for Corporate Affairs, the marathon does not only contribute to the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility but also boosts individual physical wellbeing and the athletics field.
“Many people run for their health. They start practicing long before the marathon which improves their fitness. In addition, elite runners get prizes and that way, we are supporting athletes,” she said.
The winner of the 42 kilometer race will bag a cash prize of Shs 20 million.