By Mukembo Wilfred
Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) in conjunction with Ebenezer Real Estate have bought journalists MTN Kampala Marathon Kits.
The Marathon is scheduled for Sunday 20th November 2022 under the theme; “Run for Babies”.
Addressing a press conference at UJA Headquarters in Kawempe, Kampala, The Association spokesperson Kabuye Ronald said that saving lives of the babies is very crucial in nation building thus a reason they have joined the cause.
He added that journalism has moved past mere reporting about the problems affecting the communities to actively and practically participating in solving the problem a reason they partnered with the Ebenezer Real Estate to contribute to the MTN cause financially since the proceeds from this year’s Marathon shall be used to upgrade maternal and newborn health services in the selected health facilities across the country.
Kabuye thus urged the public to join the cause since it is through such initiatives that the general public and companies can complement the government’s efforts to ensure better maternal and health service delivery that are critical to the elimination of these preventable deaths of mothers and babies.
Martin Ocheng, the General Manager of Ebenezer Real Estate said that they bought journalists kits worth one million shillings because they are the eyes and ears of the society and thus their input should be practical.
Martin also said that Ebenezer Real Estate aims at building a nation and they cannot build a nation without supporting the young generation.
“We have come out to support this Marathon because we cannot build the nation without the young generation: for what we build is the future and it’s the children” said Martin
Statistics in sub-Saharan countries, indicate that there are an estimated 336 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and is 43 infant deaths per 1000 live births in Uganda, with 42% of the children’s mortality occurring during the neonatal period. (Source: Uganda Health and Demographic Survey, 2016 – UNFPA).
Information from the ministry of health there is a stagnation in neonatal mortality due to lack of equipment such as incubators, to take care of the newborn babies.
