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David GOMBE
Kampala turned crimson on Sunday as Over 8000 runners, households, well being lovers, corporates and organised working golf tools descended in town for the 2026 Absa KH3–7 Hills Run, transforming the capital proper right into a celebration of endurance, group and objective in what grew to turn into crucial model of the Run however.
From first-time runners chasing non-public milestones to seasoned athletes battling for prime honors, members tackled the 5km, 10km and signature 25km routes, taking on the demanding climbs and descents of Kampala’s iconic seven hills, a course increasingly more recognised as one in all Uganda’s most distinctive metropolis endurance challenges.
Flagged off by Sylvia Mulinge, CEO of MTN Uganda alongside David Wandera, Managing Director of Absa Uganda and Alice Gita Okecho, Hash Grasp of the Kampala Hash Residence Harriers, the annual Run continued to cement its place as a primary well being and purpose-driven sporting event.
Now in its fourth 12 months, the Run has grown from 6,000 members in 2025 to over 8000 this 12 months, attracting crucial number of sponsors and companions to date and reinforcing Uganda’s rising enthusiasm for organised working and wellness.
This 12 months’s model carried on the extremely efficient mission of serving to further women preserve in school and pursue their targets by supporting initiatives that cope with the obstacles that normally drive women out of education.
For lots of members, Sunday’s race meant higher than crossing the top line. Every kilometer represented a contribution within the course of serving to further women preserve in school and pursue brighter futures.
“What we witnessed proper this second goes previous a run. It’s a extremely efficient demonstration of what turns into doable when communities, corporates, households and sports activities actions lovers come collectively behind a shared set off. We’re deeply grateful to all people who confirmed up and significantly the working golf tools and individuals who intentionally expert and prepared for this downside. The fervour spherical this 12 months’s Run shows a rising custom of wellness in Uganda, nevertheless further importantly, a shared dedication to serving to further women preserve in school and pursue their targets,” said David Wandera, Managing Director of Absa Monetary establishment Uganda.
The 25km Seven Hills Drawback signature as quickly as as soon as extra proved an actual check out of endurance, with runners navigating steep climbs alongside the scenic however unforgiving terrain of Kampala’s hills on a route that blends breathtaking metropolis views with a demanding working experience.
Together with to the enjoyable of the issue, runners earned a commemorative wristband for every hill conquered, transforming each ascent proper right into a milestone second and one among many event’s most prized badges of accomplishment, a perform many members proudly captured and shared as part of the Seven Hills experience.
Peter Akwech crossed the top line in 1:21:40 to emerge prime male finisher, whereas Sylvia Chelangat clocked in at 1:46:55 to protected victory throughout the women’s class.
Setting the Absa KH3–7 Hills Run except for others, this 12 months’s model as quickly as as soon as extra provided winners a unusual various to take their passion previous borders by means of participation throughout the 2026 Absa Black Star Marathon in Accra.
The very best two male and prime two female finishers who effectively completed the Seven Hills Drawback earned coveted slots to compete in Ghana, a selected reward that has increasingly more develop into most likely probably the most sought-after prizes amongst Uganda’s working group.
Helen Basuuta Nangonzi, Promoting Director at Absa Monetary establishment Uganda, said the Accra marathon various shows the monetary establishment’s ambition to make the Run further important and aspirational for members. “One in all many points that makes the Absa KH3–7 Hills Run distinctive is that we aren’t solely rewarding effectivity with prizes, however as well as with experiences. Working proper this second has developed proper into a technique to experience new areas, cultures and communities. By the possibility to participate throughout the Absa Black Star Marathon in Ghana, we’re giving Ugandan runners a possibility to represent Uganda and experience one different part of Africa attributable to their passion for working.”
Alongside the Accra marathon various, the final winner of the 25km downside earned a UGX 10 million cash prize, whereas the very best feminine and male finishers each walked away with land titles courtesy of Bakayima, making the 2026 model most likely probably the most rewarding however.
“The seven hills course isn’t easy. It pushes you bodily and mentally, nevertheless the surroundings proper this second was unbelievable, and naturally we’re working to assist the good rationalization for safeguarding women in education so that they’ll get hold of their targets” said Peter Akwech
“Worthwhile means heaps, significantly determining we’re working for one factor higher like serving to women preserve in school. The prospect to moreover compete in Ghana makes it rather more specific on account of it gives me a possibility to experience one different nation by means of sport,” said Sylvia Chelangat.
Previous rivals, the Run shows Uganda’s fast-growing working custom, attracting all people from seasoned athletes and organised golf tools to first-time runners, firm teams and households trying to find extra wholesome life.
Alice Gita Okecho of the Kampala Hash Residence Harriers said the event had develop into an obligatory catalyst for organised working in Uganda. “We have now now seen excellent progress on this event over time not solely in participation, nevertheless in how critically Ugandans are embracing working and wellness. Further golf tools are teaching persistently, further households are participating, and we’re grateful to Absa for investing in a platform that continues to develop Uganda’s working custom whereas supporting a big set off.”
Youngsters moreover turned out in rising numbers for devoted child-friendly actions, providing a family-oriented well being experience that promotes wellness and vigorous dwelling from an early age.
The day culminated in a vibrant celebration that features performances from Azawi, Winnie Nwagi, King Saha, and Dax Vibez, bringing collectively sport, leisure and philanthropy in a uniquely Ugandan celebration of group affect.
This 12 months’s model was made doable by means of assist from a rising ecosystem of over 22 sponsors and companions, making the 2026 model crucial and most rewarding however.
