ACBF Run for Nature
Run for Nature 2014
The idea to launch “Run for Nature” was discussed by the Bugoma Forest Conservation Campaign group in May 2014. In the first discussion we agreed that the scope of Run for Nature was to collect funding for a restoration / reforestation project of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve.
The run took place on 7 th September 2014 at Kati Kati in Kampala with a circuit of 5 km and 10 km designed around Kololo and Lugogo Bypass. Promotion was made especially among the tourism sector organizations. A short presentation was arranged at Radio One in Kampala.
The first run officially registered about 220 people, of which 73 people were belonging to various tour operators (Great Lakes Safaris, Wildplaces, Adrift, Gorilla Tours, Matoke Tours, Premier Safaris, Speke Holidays, Churchill Safaris, AB Safaris). The event was attended widely by sponsors, friends, medias.
The collection made was 6,150,000 Uganda shillings, which was invested in a tree planting enrichment project of 3 acres in Bugoma Central Forest Reserve near Nsozi Forest Station which was effected in 2015.
Unfortunately the project was destroyed by the graders of Hoima Sugar Limited in July 2016.
Run for Nature 2018
The second edition of Run For Nature took place on 25 th March 2018 in Mbuya, Kampala from the office of Destination Jungle / Association fore Conservation of Bugoma Forest, Robert Mugabe Road.
The date was meant to be in line with the celebrations for the International Day of Forests which is 21 st March.
Two routes were designed for 5 km and 10 km, around Mbuya Hill and around Mutungo Hill.
The theme was “Stop abusing the Planet”, to bring awareness about the importance for the people to have a conduct in harmony with the environment where they are hosts. Abusing the nature and the forests has an implication in our livelihood, our health, the biodiversity and climate.
The proceeds from the run were invested in the projects of Association for Conservation of Bugoma Forest.
Run for Nature 2019
The third edition of Run For Nature took place on 31 st March 2019 from Rivonia Hotel, Mbuya in Kampala.
The theme was “No way for forest encroachment”, to bring awareness about the problem of forest encroachment for which many reasons are always brought forward by encroachers like cultural, economic, political and for farming.
The participation was remarkable, under the spirit of supporting the conservation of Bugoma, which since July / August 2018 was at risk of being attacked by the agents of Hoima Sugar and Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and a court case was on going.
The event attracted 270 registered people running, including 9 corporate registrations.
The largest teams were the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (24 people) and Uganda Tourism Board (20 people). Under the patronage of Embassy of Italy, we recorded 9 partnership: National Forestry Authority (NFA), Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), Association of Uganda tour operators (AUTO), The Uganda Association of Travel Agents (TUGATA), Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Scouts of Uganda, Slow Food Uganda, Joint Environmental Projects (JEEP).
The sponsors were 11, including Orient Bank, Cassia Lodge, Rivonia Hotel, Tarpo Industries, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Destination Jungle, Pap Cafè, Stirling, Daniel Choudry Sales Institute, 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Linove Italian Restaurant.
The total proceeds collected of 5,330,000 Uganda shillings were meant for supporting the Association.
Run for Nature 2020
The fourth edition of Run For Nature was supposed to take place on 29 th March 2020, however it was postponed to 25 th October 2020 due to the Covid Pandemic. The Run happened at the time when the destruction of Bugoma Forest had started, with the graders of Hoima Sugar operating since August 2020 during the pandemics.
The theme of the Run was considered to be controversial: “Sugar Free Forests”, to bring awareness about the threat to forest by sugar cane industries, proposing investments in sugar cane plantations in forested areas. The run wanted to send out the message that sugar cane investment should not occur at the expense of the remaining forests of Uganda.
Despite the sabotages and the pandemics, the Run for Nature of 25 th October 2020 was the most widely participated. People registered in the run were 188, with 9 corporate registrations.
The largest registered teams were: Lutheran world Federation (13 people), Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust (12 people). With patronage of Embassy of Italy, the partners were 6: Eco trust, European Union, Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Association of Uganda tour operators (AUTO), Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Scouts of Uganda, Slow Food Uganda. It was noted that National Forestry Authority pulled out from partnership because of the legal battle in course with Hoima Sugar Limited.
Sponsors were 13: Gorilla tours, Rivonia Hotel, Tarpo Industries, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Destination Jungle, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Stirling, Sobetra, Jibu water, DataNet, Standard signs, Nature Lodges, Laison Group.
Particularly, it plaied a crucial role the support by European Union in funding the official event t-shirts. The participation of the Run was wide and colorful, bringing together the tourism sector and the conservation sector.
It was noted the presence of Extinction Rebellion, Wemnet, Afiego, Eco Trust, Jane Goodall Institute Uganda, Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust and all the participants to the collective effort of Save Bugoma Forest Campaign 2020 that was launched in June 2020.
The total proceeds collected were 8,145,500 Uganda shillings to be destined to the project of Association for Conservation of Bugoma Forest.
Run for Nature 2025
NEXT EDITION OF RUN FOR NATURE: 26 th October 2025, under the theme “We can stop Climate change” in line with the occasion of the International Day of Climate Action, observed on October 24 th .
