The Republic of Tanzania’s former president Ali Hassan Mwinyi arrived in the country on Friday afternoon ahead of Sunday’s Rotary Cancer Run for which he is the chief runner.
Mr Mwinyi came with a group of 10 rotarians from Tanzania, according to Ms Enid Nambuya, the chairperson of the mobilisation committee for the Run, and is staying at Kampala Serena Hotel.
“Ex-President Ali Hassan Mwinyi arrived today, two days ahead of the Run and he will tour the Rotary Centenary Cancer ward at Nsambya Hospital tomorrow (Saturday) at 10am,” -- Nambuya said.
The Pepsi and Centenary Bank-sponsored Rotary Cancer Run, now in its third year, seeks to raise money to complete a 36-bed capacity cancer ward. It is estimated to cost Shs1.3 billion and is currently in its final stages.
The run is expected to attract at least 30,000 runners in the 21km, 10km and 5km categories and the flag-off ceremony will be at the Kololo Ceremonial grounds at 7am.
Registration for the run is at Shs10,000 at Centenary Bank (Mapeera House), Rotary Uganda Office on NIC Building, Bridge Credit Finance, and all Capital Shoppers supermarket outlets.
More than 15 corporate companies and thousands of individuals have already registered for the run that will also have parallel runs in Kyenjojo, Masaka, and Mbarara on Sunday.
Last year’s Rotary Cancer Run attracted 10,000 participants and raised over Shs90 million for the Ward. The first Rotary Cancer Run was held in 2012 and, with the support of sponsors and well-wishers, managed to raise more than Shs300 million.