Meet the ladies who walked 60km
BY GLORIA IRANKUNDA
On November 17, 2024, Stella Kamakune, Resty Nabatte, and Jacqueline Busingye, known as Team Bombastic, took on the challenge of walking 60 kilometres in the Joe Walker Remembrance Walk. Completing the trek in 12 hours and 12 minutes, they share their inspiring journey of endurance and motivation.
How did you prepare physically and mentally for the 60km walk?
Stella: I’m part of a group where we walk at least three kilometers every day, so exercise is just part of me.
Resty: I’d heard that regular walking helps you gauge how far you can go in a day. If you can walk 60km in a week, you can likely do it in one day. I regularly walked more than 60 km a week, so while this was a stretch, it felt achievable.
Jacqueline: When Stella approached me about the walk, I was immediately intrigued. I agreed without hesitation, knowing my regular walking habits meant I didn’t need extra preparation. When the day came, I felt ready. With determination and teamwork, we took on the challenge, and together, we made it to the finish.
Why did you decide to walk together?
Stella: We’re part of a group called Mutungo Mad Bus, where we regularly run and walk together. That connection brought us closer.
Resty: I’m always on Twitter looking for activities to join. When I saw this running challenge, I shared it with Jackie. I had met Stella at the Twitter Running School, and she inspired me, so we decided to walk together.
Jacqueline: Stella and I are in the same group of runners and walkers called Mutungo Mad Bus, She came up with the name Bombastic. I think it was her idea, and we all just went with it.
Stella Kamakune, Resty Nabatte, and Jacqueline Busingye.
Was there a specific training plan you followed?
Stella: I’m a recreational runner. Running, walking, or hiking is a must for me. I run, walk and exercise every day.
Resty: No. I am part of a team at Activate Uganda that walks at least 3km every day. By the time I attempted the 60km walk, I was already well-prepared and accustomed to the routine.
Jacqueline: No
Did you have any prior long-distance walking experience?
Stella: Last year, during the Joe Walker Remembrance Walk, I did 40 km. I had also done 50km before in a run.
Resty: I had done 28km with Team Matooke, a running club.
Jacqueline: The longest single walk I had done was 50km, which I did as a birthday gift to myself in November. I had planned to walk 48km for my birthday, but I ended up pushing it to 50km.
How did you fuel and hydrate during the walk?
Stella: Hydration is essential for long-distance walks. The organisation provided water, bananas, and other refreshments at different points along the route, which were key in keeping us strong and energised.
Resty: The team had everything we needed along the way. It made a big difference.
Jacqueline: There were several water points along the way to refuel and replenish lost sugars. They took such good care of us that we had no complaints.
What motivated you to take on this challenge?
Stella: I am a volunteer and involved in many advocacy activities. As a co-founder of the Vermillion Foundation, we focus on autism awareness and blood donation drives. Being part of the Joe Walker Remembrance Walk was a natural extension of my volunteer work, allowing me to add my voice to the road safety cause.
Resty: I love challenges because they push me to see how far I can go. Doing the 60km walk was about testing my limits. Running helps me mentally as much as it helps physically. After a run or walk, I feel clearer and better equipped to handle whatever is on my mind. I’m also passionate about road safety, and supporting causes like Joe Walker is my way of advocating for safer roads and saving lives.
Jacqueline: I appreciated the opportunity when Stella approached me. I was genuinely interested and thought, this is a good thing. Let’s go and support.
Stella Kamakune, Resty Nabatte, and Jacqueline Busingye.
Did you have any doubts or concerns before starting?
Stella: Before long runs, there’s always that initial scare, a feeling I often get before a run. But this time, since it was just a walk, I felt more at ease. Once I started, the nerves eased.
Resty: I wasn’t scared, but I wasn’t sure I would finish the 60km. It was Jackie, mainly, who kept me going.
Jacqueline: I was never in doubt that I’d stop along the way. We were determined to finish, once we started. We consider these things small. The beauty of it was that it wasn’t a competition; the most important thing was simply getting to the finish line.
How did you feel when you crossed the finish line?
Stella: The sense of fulfillment was incredible. We reached the finish line close to 7pm, and it felt like such an achievement.
Resty: It felt like I owned the world. I thought, “Wow, if I can do this, I can do even more!”
Jacqueline: I felt normal, nothing extraordinary. I wasn’t particularly excited; I see these things as small challenges. As long as I can go at my own pace, I’m confident I can make it, no matter how long it takes.
Can you describe the most challenging part of the route?
Stella: The part around the Kalerwe flyover. Navigating the walking lane meant for pedestrians was tough because we had to share it with boda bodas. It was frustrating, especially when we were tired and had to stop repeatedly to let them pass. It made me realise even more why road safety is so important.
Resty: The final stretch near the Busega roundabout. My legs felt shaky, and it seemed like we’d never reach it. But surprisingly, the way back felt shorter.
Jacqueline: The most challenging part of the route was when we reached the road from Kyebando to the bypass. We encountered boda boda men and since we were pedestrians, they kept distracting us. It slowed us down a little, but we pushed through.
How did you handle fatigue, blisters, or other physical challenges?
Stella: When I got home, I bathed and went straight to bed, but it was hard to sleep. My body was in shock from the 60km, something I had never done before. It felt like my body was asking a lot of questions, and I worried I’d wake up unable to move. Surprisingly, despite being tired and not sleeping much, I woke up feeling fine, though still a bit fatigued. I even managed to get to work the next day. The lack of sleep was the hardest part, but other than that, I was okay.
Resty: There was not much. I even went to work the next day. I slept well, though my legs were a bit sore. But it was not too serious to keep me in bed.
Jacqueline: After the walk, we know the routine, go for an ice bath, and then get a massage.
Were there any moments when you considered giving up?
Stella: Yes, when I reached the bypass at the 40km mark. I was so tired, I felt like giving up.
Resty: Heading back to Sheraton. When we reached Kasubi, it felt endless, like we would never get there.
Jacqueline: Not once. There was nothing that made me think about quitting.
What kept you pushing forward?
Stella: Resty and Jackie. They were determined to finish, no matter what.
Resty: I kept thinking, “I came for 60 km, so I have to finish them.” That mindset kept me going. It felt like a personal journey. Of course, having Jackie and Stella with me helped a lot.
Jacqueline: I stayed motivated and focused because it was a team effort. We kept encouraging each other. When we first started the walk with other groups, I told Stella, “We need to take it at a steady pace, not too slow, but steady.” I knew that as time went on, if we kept up with the guys, we wouldn’t manage. As ladies, let’s we paced ourselves and let the men go ahead.
What did you learn about yourself during this experience?
Stella: I learnt that we always have more energy within us than we realise. It’s just a matter of believing in ourselves. It’s all about perseverance and trusting that we can overcome any obstacles.
Resty: During the experience, I realised something powerful: if I set my mind to a goal, no matter how tough it gets, I can achieve it. I had never done 60km before, but I woke up determined to complete it, and we did. It showed me that with focus and determination, anything is possible.
Jacqueline: Nothing, because I walk every day. The only time I rest is when my body needs it, but otherwise, it’s daily.
What advice would you give to first-time long-distance walkers?
Stella: Start small. Don’t jump into a 60km or 40km walk if you’ve never done anything like it before. Begin with shorter distances like 2km, gradually increasing to 5km and 10km. Build your endurance step by step. Be patient and avoid rushing; people doing full marathons have likely trained for a long time. Focus on your own progress, and with the right approach, you’ll achieve your goal.
Resty: I’ll use Team Matooke’s slogan: “Si lutaro”, “take on the miles you can.” Don’t feel pressured to match others doing 60km. If it’s your first time, starting with 5km is already an achievement. Enjoy the process, and if you feel ready, push for 10km.
Jacqueline: My advice to a first-time long-distance walker would be to prepare your body, mind, and soul. I always tell my friends not to follow the bandwagon. Take your time because everyone’s at a different level and has a different body. If you try to keep up with others, you might burn out. Keep pushing and improving every day, but always listen to your body. Also, make sure to hydrate.
What was the most unexpected or surprising aspect of the walk?
Stella: Nothing really surprised me during the walk, but I loved the teamwork. This year, like last, we formed small groups, strategised, and had some friendly competition. It was wonderful to see everyone come together for the cause, with early risers at 5am. supporting Joe. The spirit of unity was special.
Resty: The boda boda experience was strange. We were on the walker’s side, but the riders kept using our lane. We had to step aside to let them pass, which was frustrating since the rules were clear.
Jacqueline: What surprised me most was the walk’s organisation. At every water point, everything was well-arranged, and the officials were incredibly helpful. Though we were the last group, they waited for us until the very last second, ensuring we weren’t left behind. That was impressive, as it’s rare for people to wait.
Did you have a favourite moment or memory from the experience?
Stella: My favorite moment was meeting other walkers. Despite how tired we all were, seeing them energised and smiling gave us a huge boost. We were all worn out, but the laughter and joy they brought were contagious, reminding us to keep going even when exhausted.
Resty: My favourite moment was receiving a voucher. I didn’t expect it at all. Jackie, Stella, and I were among the last, coming in around 7pm, just walking to complete the 60km. But at the end, Joe Walker gave us a gift of appreciation for finishing. It was a pleasant surprise.
Jacqueline: My favourite moment from the experience was seeing all the people who came to participate in the walk.
What is the one thing you could not have done without during the walk?
Stella: I couldn’t have made it without Resty and Jackie. If we hadn’t stuck together, I don’t think I would have finished. There was a point when I nearly gave up, but they pushed me, and I’m grateful for that support.
Resty: The hydration points were crucial. You can’t walk 60km without water and energy.
Jacqueline: I couldn’t have done it without my phone. At one point, I was worried the battery would die, especially since I needed it to track the kilometres and time.
