By Mike Rwothomio

Hundreds of Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) supporters in Zombo District, dressed in birthday kits featuring Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, turned out early on Sunday morning, April 26, 2026, to celebrate his 52nd birthday.

The local event ran parallel to the national celebration at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, where thousands gathered across the country.

Key attendees included PLU and NRM leaders, Zombo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Festus Ayikobua, District Police Commander (DPC) SP Job Mutegeki, UPDF representatives, Zombo Woman MP-elect Topista Acamfua, and members of civil society organizations.

The Zombo birthday run was flagged off by RDC Festus Ayikobua at Paidha Health Center III Junction in Paidha Town Council. 

Participants then proceeded along routes passing Radio Paidha and Mvungu Hill, ending at the Mayor’s Gardens. There, hundreds of jubilant and dancing youthful supporters listened to speeches.

RDC Festus Ayikobua praised Gen. Muhoozi for his firm anti-corruption stance and efforts in maintaining peace and security. He highlighted the massive turnout and appealed for the CDF to personally celebrate his next birthday with the people of West Nile, particularly in Zombo.

“As people of Zombo we are not celebrating the birthday alone, we are celebrating the security, peace and Gen Muhoozi’s leadership in UPDF,” Ayikobua said. “Most importantly when he is adding his voice on corruption element, that is why we Zombo People, we are proud of him.”

He commended Zombo residents for their strong support to the government, evidenced by the President receiving over 80 percent of the votes in the recent election.

Ayikobua also called for tarmacked roads and the establishment of a district hospital to support the community as they continue backing the government.

Henry Uwinji, Chairperson of the Zombo organizing committee, urged the PLU national leadership to host Gen. Muhoozi’s next birthday celebration in Zombo, West Nile.

“Many of our PLU supporters who turned up today have appealed that the next Birthday should be brought to West Nile and in Zombo, where the celebration was so massive, they want to see their future leader,” he said.

Uwinji commended Gen. Muhoozi’s leadership and the Zombo PLU supporters, assuring continued grassroots mobilization across the district’s 752 villages, which have a population exceeding 300,000 people.

James Okethwengu, Vice Chairperson of the central organizing committee, echoed the appeal: “We celebrate General Muhoozi for his fight against corruption and we appeal that his next birthday celebration should be in West Nile’s Zombo district, where his supporters are many.”

Organizers intensified mobilization through radio, social media, and public gatherings to ensure a colorful event. They cautioned against misusing the birthday T-shirts for criminal activities and commended that traffic police for guiding the routes.

Nationally, the event titled “Run for Charity, Run for Hope” was flagged off by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, who represented Gen. Muhoozi.

The run is dedicated to supporting vulnerable children, orphans, street children, and those lacking basic needs such as food, education, and shelter. Proceeds will fund baby homes and aid underprivileged children across Uganda.

In a speech delivered by Deputy Speaker Tayebwa, Gen. Muhoozi expressed gratitude to Ugandans for their large turnout, stating that their presence “demonstrates the strength of our collective spirit.”

He emphasized that the run is “not about personal celebration, fame, or recognition but about standing together to support vulnerable and underprivileged children.”

The CDF paid tribute to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) for their leadership, as well as to organizers, security agencies, medical teams, volunteers, and partners.

He thanked leaders from political, religious, cultural, and corporate sectors for mobilizing communities and specifically acknowledged President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, his wife, and children (including Nyinancweende, Diana, and Patience) for their support.

Allan Kasujja, Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre, earlier described the MK Birthday Run as an exciting annual event aimed at engaging young people for community causes.

“The MK birthday run is becoming an exciting annual event. We want to continue to use it, to engage the young people for community causes,” he said, noting that Gen. Muhoozi serves as a rallying point for millions of young Ugandans.

The national event received support from high-profile figures, including Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.

In Zombo, organizers reported high turnout that led to limited availability of birthday kits. They appealed for more support toward PLU grassroots activities to sustain momentum.

The MK Birthday Run has grown in recent years into a major national event marked by significant pomp and glamour, focusing on social and community initiatives.

Participants for the Birthday run

Mike Rwothomio is the News Editor at Zoomer Africa, your trusted grassroots information hub for African stories, voices, and updates.