“The Tooke Run is a call to action,” she said. “This is not only about supporting today’s athletes, but also investing in future champions by ensuring children have access to proper nutrition.”

She added that the initiative is also focused on transforming matoke from a subsistence crop into an internationally recognized nutritional and commercial product. Through research and innovation, banana products such as tooke flour are now being promoted as athlete-friendly foods that are easy to prepare, nutritious and suitable for international competitions

Representing the Uganda Olympic Committee and speaking on behalf of the Uganda Olympic committe president Donald Rukare, Lydia Damuzungu said the partnership between the Olympic movement and PIBID-BIRDC has rebranded the traditional Olympic Day Run into the Olympic Day Toke Run, with a stronger focus on nutrition and athlete welfare.

She explained that many Ugandan athletes struggle with unfamiliar foods during international competitions, making the promotion of Ugandan banana-based products an important step in improving athlete comfort and performance abroad.

“The partnership symbolizes our shared commitment to using sports as a vehicle for transformation and national pride,” she said. “Nutrition is essential for excellence in sports.”

Hon. Grace Kirya Wanzala praised the initiative and pledged to mobilize more leaders and communities across Busoga to support the run.

He said the engagement had attracted several dignitaries and stakeholders who recognize the importance of linking nutrition, agriculture and sports development.

“We are confident this initiative will succeed,” he said. “Matoke is a product with enormous nutritional value and potential for international markets.”

Meanwhile, Israel Arinaitwe from Stanbic Bank highlighted the importance of agriculture and nutrition in driving Uganda’s development, noting that the bank’s support for the run aligns with its mission of supporting farmers, women and youth.

“This run is important because it promotes agriculture, health and nutrition at the same time,” he said. “It is a powerful platform for community transformation.”

Grace Kimera, the Business Manager for the Presidential Initiative for Banana Industrial Development, described the campaign as a national flagship project designed to unite all regions of Uganda around the fight against malnutrition.

He revealed that the fundraising campaign had already achieved eight percent of its overall target and expressed confidence that more institutions and individuals would join the cause in the coming weeks.

Beyond the fundraising and mobilization, the Njeru engagement also highlighted ongoing efforts to revive banana growing in Busoga as part of broader food security and nutrition programs. Leaders explained that the region’s fertile soils and abundant water resources make it ideal for banana production, with model plantations already demonstrating strong harvest potential.

The Olympic Day Tooke Run in Bushenyi is expected to bring together athletes, leaders, institutions and communities from across Uganda in a nationwide celebration of sports, health, nutrition and unity.