Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has praised efforts to add value to matooke and called on Ugandans to embrace agriculture as a pathway to improved nutrition, food security and economic empowerment.
Speaking in Bushenyi during the Olympic Day Tooke Run on Saturday, Tayebwa, who represented President Yoweri Museveni as chief guest, said the government remains committed to initiatives that strengthen food security while improving the nutritional wellbeing of communities.
The event attracted hundreds of runners, athletes and community members and was organised under the theme, “Move, Learn and Discover for Nutrition Care.” Participants competed in 5km, 10km and 21km races aimed at promoting healthy living while raising awareness about nutrition and sustainable agriculture.
While delivering the President’s message, Tayebwa highlighted the cultural and economic importance of matooke, saying the crop remains central to the country’s identity and food security efforts.
“Everybody knows matooke. It is for this reason that this initiative is magnifying the need for us to take pride not only in our linguistic diversity but also in the food that defines life and sustainability. It is for this reason that I deemed it fit to support the Tooke initiative to add value to what we eat, and as mentioned above, it is now making flour and other products like biscuits and many more,” Tayebwa said.
He said innovation in processing matooke could make the staple food more accessible and convenient for consumers both within Uganda and abroad.
“We may no longer need to peel bananas and perform other cumbersome tasks in future, since access to matooke flour will be easy, even for those in the diaspora,” he added.
Tayebwa also commended the partnership between the Uganda Olympic Committee and nutrition advocate Rev. Prof. Florence Isabirye Muranga, saying it was helping to promote nutrition awareness through sport while encouraging value addition for economic growth.
“I appreciate the Uganda Olympic Committee for partnering with Reverend Professor Florence Muranga to celebrate International Olympic Day in Bushenyi and promote the Tooke cause, which is now a symbol of value addition for economic empowerment,” Tayebwa said.
The Deputy Speaker made the remarks as athletes competed across several race categories. Joshua Ayeko and Chebet Isera won the men’s and women’s 5km races respectively, while Jabeth Chesiro and Nancy Chepkorir triumphed in the 10km events. The 21km half marathon titles went to Abel Chebet of Uganda Police Force and Esther Chebet of Uganda Prisons Service.
Tayebwa’s message centred on the need to combine sport, nutrition and agricultural innovation to tackle malnutrition and strengthen household incomes, with organisers expressing hope that the Olympic Day Tooke Run will continue to grow as a platform for promoting healthier communities across the country.
