East African Medical Vitals (EAMV) has reaffirmed its commitment to community health and national development with a UGX 10 million sponsorship towards the 13th Kabaka’s Birthday Run, scheduled for April 12, 2026.
The cheque was officially handed over on March 31 at Bulange, Mengo, by EAMV Managing Director Brian Kavuya to the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga. The contribution confirms EAMV as a Silver Sponsor of the annual run, which continues to draw tens of thousands of participants in support of public health causes.
While the gesture may appear symbolic, it reflects a deeper alignment between Uganda’s industrial growth, cultural institutions, and health priorities.
EAMV, a Ugandan-owned manufacturer based in Namanve Industrial Park, Mukono, is the first company on the African continent to produce powder-free latex surgical gloves. Since launching production in 2021, the company has grown into a key regional supplier, producing approximately 95 million gloves annually and meeting about 70 percent of Uganda’s domestic demand.
The company’s operations have significantly reduced reliance on imports, cutting delivery timelines from months to just a few days and saving the country an estimated USD 17.8 million in annual foreign exchange outflows.
Its investment in the Kabaka Birthday Run underscores how private sector players are increasingly contributing to national health campaigns while advancing industrialisation.
This year’s run is held under the theme: “Men for Good Health to Save the Girl Child and the Fight to End HIV/AIDS by 2030.” The theme highlights the ongoing challenge of HIV/AIDS, particularly among adolescent girls and young women, while calling on men to play a more active role in prevention.
Uganda has made notable progress in the fight against HIV, with adult prevalence declining from 7.3 percent in 2010 to 4.9 percent in 2024, according to UNAIDS. New infections have also dropped significantly, though challenges remain, including thousands of children still born with HIV annually.
Speaking at the event, Mayiga emphasized the importance of awareness, education, and open dialogue in combating the epidemic, urging communities to take collective responsibility.
Supporting the National Development Agenda
EAMV’s involvement aligns closely with Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), which prioritizes industrialisation, human capital development, and private sector-led growth. The five-year plan, running from FY2025/26 to 2029/30, is part of a broader strategy to achieve a tenfold expansion of the economy by 2040.
With an estimated cost of UGX 593.6 trillion, NDP IV expects over 30 percent of its financing to come from the private sector, positioning companies like EAMV as critical partners in driving socio-economic transformation.
By combining manufacturing, job creation, and community health investment, EAMV represents the kind of enterprise envisioned under the plan.
The 13th Kabaka’s Birthday Run will take place on Sunday, April 12, starting at Lubiri in Mengo. Participants will compete in 21km, 10km, and 5km race categories, with kits available at UGX 20,000.
As Uganda pushes toward its Vision 2040 goals, initiatives that bring together culture, commerce, and community health are increasingly seen as vital building blocks for sustainable development.