The Remembrance walk for me was personal – Ponton
BY GLORIA IRANKUNDA
When Alex Ponton arrived in Uganda a decade ago, he likely did not imagine himself walking 51 kilometers in a single day. Known for his entrepreneurial ventures and investments, Ponton had been, like most residents, navigating Uganda’s challenging roadways. This shared experience sparked his interest in the 2024 Joe Walker Remembrance Relay Walk.
“I have been in Uganda for ten years now, and I have seen firsthand how road safety is a major issue,” Ponton shares.
Participating in the walk was personal. He wanted to do something to raise awareness and contribute to the cause.
“About seven or eight years ago, I was involved in a serious car accident. I was not driving, but I was a passenger, and some of the others in the car were severely injured. That experience made me realise that something needs to change, “he explains.
A grueling challenge
The Joe Walker Remembrance Walk was no small feat, especially for someone who had never walked more than 13 kilometers at a time. Yet, Ponton embraced the challenge with determination.
“When I first met Joe, about three months to the remembrance walk, he suggested we go for a walk,” Ponton recalls. “We did 13 kilometers, and that was the most I had ever done. Then, I saw the remembrance event in a WhatsApp group and thought, ‘Why not try something cool before the end of the year?’”
But preparation was not exactly his strong suit. “I did not train for it,” he admits with a laugh. “I just decided to do it. My shoes were terrible, which is why I did not complete the full 60 kilometers. But if I had had better shoes? I could have done 70!”
The spirit of resilience
The journey was far from easy. Walking for nearly 12 hours under the scorching sun, Ponton faced moments of doubt and physical pain. At one point, he and his walking partner, Allan Namara, got lost.
“We were walking somewhere before Namboole when we realised we had taken a wrong turn. By the time we got back on track, we had walked extra kilometers,” Ponton recounts. “But Allan stuck with me the whole way. He was definitely more prepared and faster, but he never left my side. Without him, I would not have made it past 20 kilometers.”
By the time Ponton stopped at 51 kilometers, his body had reached its limit. “I could barely walk. My feet were swollen and blue. I had to put them in ice water and could not walk properly for two weeks,” he says.
Walking for a cause
Despite the physical toll, Ponton felt a deep sense of fulfillment. “It was not just about the walk. It was about the cause,” he reflects.
“Road safety is a serious issue here. I have lost friends to car accidents. While walking, I passed by a signpost for a friend’s moving company who died in a crash five years ago. Thinking about those we have lost kept me going.”
The walk also offered Ponton a unique perspective on Kampala. “Walking through the city allowed me to see places I do not usually go to. It was eye-opening and reminded me of the importance of staying connected to the community,” he says.
For Ponton, the experience was as much about self-discovery as it was about advocacy. “I learnt that I enjoy walking, even when it is tough,” he says. “It is all about putting one foot in front of the other. You know it is going to be painful, but you keep moving.”
Ponton encourages others to take on similar challenges, no matter how daunting they seem. “If you want to do something like this, find a partner to walk with, stay focused, and just keep going. It is not supposed to be easy, but it is worth it.”
A year defined
Reflecting on the walk, Ponton ties the experience to a Japanese concept called “Misogi”. It is about doing one meaningful activity each year that defines your year,” he explains. “For me, this walk was my Misogi. It was tough, but it was also meaningful and a great way to end the year.”
As Ponton looks back on his journey, he hopes that his efforts, along with those of others involved in the Joe Walker initiative, will spark lasting change. “Even if my walk does not yield immediate results, it is a step in the right direction,” he says.
And, for him, those small steps, painful as they may be, are the ones that truly matter.
