Betika backs major HIV/AIDS awareness drive in Uganda
Betting operator joins one of the country’s largest public health campaigns as the 13th Kabaka Birthday Run mobilises more than 130,000 participants to promote testing, prevention and treatment.
Uganda.- Betting operator Betika has backed a major HIV/AIDS awareness initiative in Uganda, supporting national efforts to strengthen prevention, testing and treatment as the country continues to tackle the epidemic. The company is supporting the Kabaka Birthday Run, one of Uganda’s largest public health campaigns aimed at mobilising communities in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Betika said the sponsorship reflects its broader commitment to supporting the communities where it operates. According to Denis Nantajja, Operations Lead at Betika Uganda, the company has provided sponsorship funding, with the full amount directed towards HIV/AIDS programmes.
Nantajja said: “HIV/AIDS has touched every community in Uganda. The Kabaka Birthday Run remains one of the most impactful platforms for awareness, prevention and action. Betika is proud to stand alongside Ugandans in advancing Kabaka’s vision for a healthier nation. Our commitment goes beyond entertainment; we are here to support the causes that truly matter.”
Held in honour of Buganda Kingdom monarch Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the annual run has evolved into a powerful platform for public health advocacy. The 13th edition in 2026 is taking place under the theme “Men Against HIV/AIDS to Save the Girl Child”. Since its launch, the initiative has grown significantly, expanding from around 1,000 participants in its early years to more than 130,000 runners today.
Funds raised through the run support HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention initiatives across Uganda. Uganda has made significant progress in tackling the epidemic in recent years. According to UNAIDS, HIV prevalence among adults aged 15-49 declined from 7.3 per cent in 2010 to 4.9 per cent in 2024. Over the same period, new infections fell 61 per cent from 96,000 to 37,000, while AIDS-related deaths dropped 63 per cent.
More than 1.3 million people in the country are now receiving antiretroviral therapy, reflecting continued progress in expanding treatment access.
