Steps of Hope: Refugees and Hosts Run Together for a Smart City in Kampala
Steps of Hope: Refugees and Hosts Run Together for a Smart City in Kampala
Steps of Hope: Refugees and Hosts Run Together for a Smart City in Kampala
August 18, 2024, Kampala, Uganda. Refugees and host community members at the Refugee Marathon to celebrate International Youth Day. (PHOTOS: Jonathan Ssekitondo for The IRC)
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Youth Urban Refugee Marathon, organized to commemorate International Youth Day, brought together both refugee and host communities in a remarkable display of unity,
resilience, and hope. This event was created to celebrate the shared strength of young people from diverse backgrounds while highlighting the importance of community support and youth empowerment.
Held on August 18, 2024, just after International Youth Day, the marathon under the theme “Solidarity with Refugees for a Smart City” took place in old Kampala Secondary School, Kampala Uganda. Runners followed a
scenic route through key areas of the city, symbolic of the journey many young refugees undertake as they navigate their lives in host communities. The route highlighted the interconnectedness of the refugee and local populations and served as a powerful reminder of Kampala’s role as a city of refuge and resilience.
August 18, 2024, Kampala, Uganda. Refugees and host community members at the Refugee Marathon to celebrate International Youth Day. (PHOTOS: Jonathan Ssekitondo for The IRC)
The marathon was attended by both refugee and local youth, community leaders, and representatives from various organizations, all united by a shared commitment to inclusivity and solidarity. Running together, participants demonstrated their belief in the transformative power of community and the potential of youth as agents of change.
The event concluded with an award ceremony honoring participants and recognizing the organizers, who worked tirelessly to make the marathon a success. The IRC’s Re:BUiLD program supported by the IKEA Foundation played a key role in the marathon’s success by providing 500 running gears, enabling participants to unite in this powerful celebration of community and youth resilience.
