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David GOMBE
Kampala turned purple on Sunday as Over 8000 runners, households, health fans, corporates and organised operating golf equipment descended on town for the 2026 Absa KH3–7 Hills Run, reworking the capital right into a celebration of endurance, neighborhood and goal in what turned the most important version of the Run but.
From first-time runners chasing private milestones to seasoned athletes battling for prime honors, individuals tackled the 5km, 10km and signature 25km routes, taking over the demanding climbs and descents of Kampala’s iconic seven hills, a course more and more recognised as certainly one of Uganda’s most distinctive city 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 Home Harriers, the annual Run continued to cement its place as a number one health and purpose-driven sporting occasion.
Now in its fourth yr, the Run has grown from 6,000 individuals in 2025 to over 8000 this yr, attracting the most important variety of sponsors and companions thus far and reinforcing Uganda’s rising enthusiasm for organised operating and wellness.
This yr’s version carried on the highly effective mission of serving to extra ladies keep at school and pursue their goals by supporting initiatives that tackle the limitations that always pressure ladies out of schooling.
For a lot of individuals, Sunday’s race meant greater than crossing the end line. Each kilometer represented a contribution in the direction of serving to extra ladies keep at school and pursue brighter futures.
“What we witnessed at the moment goes past a run. It’s a highly effective demonstration of what turns into attainable when communities, corporates, households and sports activities fans come collectively behind a shared trigger. We’re deeply grateful to everybody who confirmed up and particularly the operating golf equipment and people who deliberately skilled and ready for this problem. The passion round this yr’s Run displays a rising tradition of wellness in Uganda, however extra importantly, a shared dedication to serving to extra ladies keep at school and pursue their goals,” stated David Wandera, Managing Director of Absa Financial institution Uganda.
The 25km Seven Hills Problem signature as soon as once more proved a real check of endurance, with runners navigating steep climbs alongside the scenic but unforgiving terrain of Kampala’s hills on a route that blends breathtaking metropolis views with a demanding operating expertise.
Including to the joys of the problem, runners earned a commemorative wristband for each hill conquered, reworking every ascent right into a milestone second and one of many occasion’s most prized badges of feat, a characteristic many individuals proudly captured and shared as a part of the Seven Hills expertise.
Peter Akwech crossed the end line in 1:21:40 to emerge prime male finisher, whereas Sylvia Chelangat clocked in at 1:46:55 to safe victory within the girls’s class.
Setting the Absa KH3–7 Hills Run other than others, this yr’s version as soon as once more provided winners a uncommon alternative to take their ardour past borders by participation within the 2026 Absa Black Star Marathon in Accra.
The highest two male and prime two feminine finishers who efficiently accomplished the Seven Hills Problem earned coveted slots to compete in Ghana, a particular reward that has more and more grow to be one of the sought-after prizes amongst Uganda’s operating neighborhood.
Helen Basuuta Nangonzi, Advertising and marketing Director at Absa Financial institution Uganda, stated the Accra marathon alternative displays the financial institution’s ambition to make 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 additionally with experiences. Operating at the moment has developed right into a strategy to expertise new locations, cultures and communities. Via 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 due to their ardour for operating.”
Alongside the Accra marathon alternative, the general winner of the 25km problem earned a UGX 10 million money prize, whereas the highest female and male finishers every walked away with land titles courtesy of Bakayima, making the 2026 version essentially the most rewarding but.
“The seven hills course isn’t straightforward. It pushes you bodily and mentally, however the ambiance at the moment was unimaginable, and naturally we’re operating to help the good reason behind protecting ladies in schooling in order that they will obtain their goals” stated Peter Akwech
“Profitable means lots, particularly understanding we’re operating for one thing greater like serving to ladies keep at school. The chance to additionally compete in Ghana makes it much more particular as a result of it offers me an opportunity to expertise one other nation by sport,” stated Sylvia Chelangat.
Past competitors, the Run displays Uganda’s fast-growing operating tradition, attracting everybody from seasoned athletes and organised golf equipment to first-time runners, company groups and households searching for more healthy life.
Alice Gita Okecho of the Kampala Hash Home Harriers stated the occasion had grow to be an vital catalyst for organised operating in Uganda. “We have now seen outstanding development on this occasion over time not solely in participation, however in how critically Ugandans are embracing operating and wellness. Extra golf equipment are coaching constantly, extra households are collaborating, and we’re grateful to Absa for investing in a platform that continues to develop Uganda’s operating tradition whereas supporting a significant trigger.”
Youngsters additionally turned out in rising numbers for devoted child-friendly actions, offering a family-oriented health expertise that promotes wellness and energetic dwelling from an early age.
The day culminated in a vibrant celebration that includes performances from Azawi, Winnie Nwagi, King Saha, and Dax Vibez, bringing collectively sport, leisure and philanthropy in a uniquely Ugandan celebration of neighborhood influence.
This yr’s version was made attainable by help from a rising ecosystem of over 22 sponsors and companions, making the 2026 version the most important and most rewarding but.
