Written By | Alex Mbamanya
Emmanuel Tayebwa and Moses Kipsiro on the set before the demonstration run
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Kiruhura
Celebrated Ugandan long-distance runner Mosep Kipsiro has challenged people from Ankole and Kigezi to take advantage of the upcoming Olympics Day Tooke Run by showcasing their talent on home terrain in Bushenyi.
Kipsiro, a double Olympic gold medallist, was speaking as a guest during the launch of the run at Mwesigwa Resort in Kiruhura District on Friday.
The veteran runner, who also revealed that he will participate in the competition, said Kigezi shares similar altitude conditions with his home area of Sebei/Kapchorwa, while Bushenyi sits slightly lower but still offers favorable conditions for distance running.
Abel Kibet (R) and Godfrey Kusuro (L) with PIBID executive director Prof Florence Muranga and Moses Kipsiro during the launch in Kiruhura
He said such geographical conditions should have already produced capable runners and expressed eagerness to see local talent emerge during the June 20 event.
“We have been in Kigezi and the readings from Bushenyi also tell an encouraging story. From experience, we know these areas are capable of producing long-distance runners. This is the opportunity for them to showcase their talent, and I am ready to identify those who excel and take them to my camp for further guidance,” Kipsiro said.
The athletics legend, who many residents were seeing physically for the first time, later participated in a demonstration run against renowned Kiruhura farmer Emmanuel Tayebwa, with Tayebwa personally auctioning the challenge at Shs1 million. 
Kiruhura managed to buy out 500 kits
The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), in conjunction with the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development / Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre (PIBID/BIRDC), officially launched the run campaign in Kiruhura District.
The launch event was presided over by Director General PIBID/BIRDC and nutrition ambassador Rev. Prof. Florence I. Muranga (PhD).
The running kits
Also in attendance were UOC Assistant Secretary General Lydia Dhamuzungu, who represented UOC President Dr Donald Rukare, elite runners Abel Kibet and Godfrey Kusuro, Kiruhura District LCV Chairperson Dan Mukago Rutetebya, district leaders, farmers, security personnel, and other stakeholders.
A cake was sliced to climax the launch event in Kiruhura
A total of 500 kits were sold during the event. While addressing the gathering, Prof. Muranga called upon more people to support the initiative for the benefit of improved nutrition among children.
Kipsiro further challenged people from Bushenyi and Kigezi to demonstrate their athletic ability, saying he believes the regions possess untapped potential.
The Olympics Day Tooke Run will take place on June 20 in Bushenyi, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni confirmed as the chief runner.
Torch Media Africa
