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,...
How teamwork led Trailblazers to victory
BY GLORIA IRANKUNDA Mark Kakuru Tushabe, a 21-year-old student at YMCA Comprehensive Institute, never anticipated that a simple decision would lead to a memorable experience. As part of the University Fitness Club's regular runners and marathoners, Tushabe and his teammates were used to physical challenges. When the 2024 Joe Walker Remembrance Walk was announced, they saw it as a perfect opportunity to compete as a team. After gathering a group of willing participants, the team quickly realised choosing a name was just as important as the walk itself. "We had a vote, and names like Walkaholics and Trailblazers came up," Tushabe recalls....
Team Priscilla: Pushing limits and building bonds during the walk
BY GLORIA IRANKUNDA Team Priscilla, named after Priscilla Kataaha, one of its members, embarked on the Joe Walker Remembrance Walk with a unique sense of togetherness. The team, consisting of Priscilla, Jeremiah Naloda, and Victor Akena, was formed out of necessity when Priscilla found herself without a partner after her teammate dropped out. The trio bonded over the course of the event walking. Akena shares their experience. Q: How did you prepare for the Joe Walk Remembrance walk as Team Priscilla? A: We were prepared for it because we’ve walked before. We regularly walk and have participated in marathons. I’m a sports person, I...
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...
How a mother inspired her daughters to walk
BY GLORIA IRANKUNDA For Veronica Primrose Kisaakye, walking is more than just a physical activity. It is a lifeline, a way to reconnect with health, and to bond with her children. On November, 17, 2024, she and her daughters, Gabriella Atuhairwe Twesige (13) and Raphaella Atugonza Twesige (11) walked 10 kilometres in the Joe Walker Remembrance Relay Walk turning what could have been a challenging experience into a powerful lesson in resilience and family unity. Ms Kisaakye, an entrepreneur and mother of three, shared how walking has transformed her life. “I used to suffer from severe back issues. There were times I would...
The difficult realities of walking on Kampala roads
By David Mujuni As the sun began to rise over our capital city Kampala, a group of determined walkers set out on a 60-kilometre journey. Yes, I know. For many this sounds crazy, but for these walkers, this was something they had eagerly been waiting for. The walk was not only for personal fitness and leisure but to honor the memory of road crash victims and raise awareness about road safety. While most teams wanted to top the relay, team The Panthers (David Mujuni, Doreen Nasasira, Becky Kategaya, Catherine Ageno, Collins Bareija aka Emeka, & Ronald Senvuma), set a goal of making...
Man honours departed brothers in 60km walk
By Belinda Birungi The drizzle and rain on November 19 rain didn't not stop participants like John Ssembogo from taking part in the Joe Walker Remembrance walk. Ssembogo, a member of Team Nkozi, walked the full 60km and he shares what drove him to do that. Tell us a little about who you are. My name is John Ssembogo, born and raised in Kyotera. I'm 29 years old and an Information Technology practitioner. Why did you join the walk? I joined the walk to particularly remember my deceased brothers and to represent the millions of people who lost their loved ones but couldn't make it...
How Team Kisoboka planned, executed and won
By David Mujuni Team Kisoboka emerged victorious in the 60km relay remembrance walk held on November 19th, 2023. The walk was spearheaded by road safety advocate Joe Walker to honour road crash victims. The winning team comprised six members; Hebert Kanyali aka KGB, Alex Hashaka (team leader), Kenneth Asiimwe, Carlos Pambara, Solomon Kobwemi, and Ritah Orikiriza. Two of the team members (Alex & Solomon) travelled from Masaka to Kampala at the crazy hour of 3am to ensure they arrived on time for the event, as Herbert Kanyali narrates. Planning “Right from the start, we selected our members by determining those that would be able...
Joe Walker to honour road crash victims in 60km walk
By David Mujuni Road safety advocate Mr Joseph Beyanga commonly known as Joe Walker is set honour road crash victims in a 60km walk slated for Sunday, November 19, 2023 (the UN Remembrance Day). Speaking to journalists at Jubilee Allianz Insurance offices along Parliamentary Avenue in Kampala, Joe Walker noted that the world will pause for a moment to remember 1.35 million people killed in road crashes every year. In Uganda, that number was 4,534 in 2022. He says the relay walk will see each six-member team covering 60km with each participant walking 10km. “If you look at the situation of road safety, it's...