Greater than 8,000 runners, households, health lovers, corporates and organised working golf equipment flooded the streets of Kampala on Sunday for the 2026 Absa KH3–7 Hills Run, turning the town pink within the largest version of the annual occasion but.
Individuals took on the 5km, 10km and signature 25km Seven Hills Problem routes, navigating the demanding climbs and descents throughout Kampala’s iconic hills in an occasion that continues to develop into one among Uganda’s premier city endurance races.
The Run was flagged off by Sylvia Mulinge alongside David Wandera and Alice Gita Okecho.
Now in its fourth 12 months, the Run expanded from 6,000 individuals in 2025 to over 8,000 this 12 months, attracting its largest variety of sponsors and companions whereas reinforcing Uganda’s rising tradition of wellness and organised working.
Talking after the occasion, David Wandera praised the overwhelming turnout and the collective effort behind the initiative.
“What we witnessed at the moment goes past a run. It’s a highly effective demonstration of what turns into potential when communities, corporates, households and sports activities lovers come collectively behind a shared trigger,” stated Wandera.
David Wandera – Absa Financial institution Uganda Managing Director
“We’re deeply grateful to everybody who confirmed up and particularly the working golf equipment and people who deliberately educated and ready for this problem. The keenness round this 12 months’s Run displays a rising tradition of wellness in Uganda, however extra importantly, a shared dedication to serving to extra ladies keep in class and pursue their desires.”
Past competitors, the occasion maintained its central mission of supporting initiatives that assist ladies stay in class and pursue their desires.
The 25km Seven Hills Problem once more proved the spotlight of the day as runners battled steep climbs alongside Kampala’s scenic however unforgiving terrain. Individuals collected commemorative wristbands for each hill conquered, turning every ascent right into a milestone second and probably the most celebrated options of the occasion.
Within the elite race, Peter Akwech crossed the end line in 1:21:40 to emerge the highest male finisher, whereas Sylvia Chelangat gained the ladies’s class after clocking 1:46:55.
This 12 months’s version additionally supplied winners an opportunity to compete internationally on the 2026 Absa Black Star Marathon in Accra, with the highest two female and male finishers incomes coveted slots to characterize Uganda in Ghana.
Helen Basuuta Nangonzi stated the initiative was aimed toward making the Run extra significant and aspirational for individuals.
“One of many issues that makes the Absa KH3–7 Hills Run distinctive is that we aren’t solely rewarding efficiency with prizes, but in addition with experiences,” she stated.
“Operating at the moment has developed right into a option to expertise new locations, cultures and communities. By way of the chance to take part within the Absa Black Star Marathon in Ghana, we’re giving Ugandan runners an opportunity to characterize Uganda and expertise one other a part of Africa because of their ardour for working.”
Alongside the Accra marathon alternative, the general winner of the 25km problem obtained a UGX 10 million money prize, whereas the highest female and male finishers additionally walked away with land titles courtesy of Bakayima.
“The seven hills course is rarely simple. It pushes you bodily and mentally, however the ambiance at the moment was unimaginable, and naturally we’re working to help the nice reason behind retaining ladies in schooling in order that they’ll obtain their desires,” stated Peter Akwech.
Sylvia Chelangat added: “Profitable means so much, particularly figuring out we’re working for one thing greater like serving to ladies keep in class. The chance to additionally compete in Ghana makes it much more particular as a result of it provides me an opportunity to expertise one other nation by means of sport.”
In accordance with Alice Gita Okecho, the occasion has change into an vital catalyst for organised working in Uganda.
“We have now seen outstanding development on this occasion through the years not solely in participation, however in how significantly Ugandans are embracing working and wellness,” she stated.
“Extra golf equipment are coaching persistently, extra households are taking part, and we’re grateful to Absa for investing in a platform that continues to develop Uganda’s working tradition whereas supporting a significant trigger.”
The family-friendly occasion additionally featured actions for youngsters and concluded with performances from Azawi, Winnie Nwagi, King Saha and Dax Vibez, mixing sport, leisure and philanthropy right into a vibrant celebration of group influence.
