Catherine Apolot
The MTN Uganda Marathon has over years been the must attend event in the country, drawing thousands of professional, amateur, fun loving runners with each edition.
Now in its 15th edition, ‘the MTN Kampala Marathon has provided a platform for individuals and representatives from various organisations to engage in the healthy exercise of running but also to contribute to a good cause, maternal health.’
The 2018 edition took place on Sunday, November 25 at the Kololo Independence Grounds, through Kampala city with athletes taking part in the 5km fun run, 10kn road race, the half marathon and full marathon (21km and 41km respectively).
Organised by Uganda Athletics Federation, the marathon has seen Huawei, New Vision, Stanbic and Rwenzori Mineral Water and Spedag Interfreight Uganda partner the telecommunications giant to make the marathon a success.
But now events security guru Dixon Bond Okello has come out to say he has been thrown by the wayside, ever since the event gained the status it now enjoys. Yet, he says, together with Moses Musonge, a former Ugandan sprinter, they were the brains behind ‘a marathon in Kampala.’
“Let the truth be known! Fourteen years ago, I and Moses Musonge, met MTN officials and proposed organising a Marathon in Kampala. I even organised a trip, for them to Nairobi Kenya, to learn how marathons are planned during the Nairobi Marathon. The rest is now history,” Okello made the revelation on his facebook wall, accompanied by a letter dated July 15, 2004 and signed by Beatrice Ayikoru, the Uganda Amateur Athletics Federation general secretary.
In the letter, Ayikoru makes reference to internal discussions between MTN, Musonge and Okello regarding the possibility of organising a marathon in Kampala.
The post was made on Saturday, a day before the 2018 edition of the MTN Marathon.
“What is shocking and disrespectful, is that some MTN and UAF officials, have always claimed to be the brains behind this and taking credit for the marathon.”
Okello now seeks justice after he, along with Musonge were backstabbed.
“But we have always kept a low profile,” he added.
MTN officials are yet to respond to the allegations.
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