Higher than 8,000 runners, households, well being fanatics, corporates and organised working golf gear flooded the streets of Kampala on Sunday for the 2026 Absa KH3–7 Hills Run, turning city pink throughout the biggest model of the annual event however.
Contributors took on the 5km, 10km and signature 25km Seven Hills Drawback routes, navigating the demanding climbs and descents all through Kampala’s iconic hills in an event that continues to grow to be one in all Uganda’s premier metropolis endurance races.
The Run was flagged off by Sylvia Mulinge alongside David Wandera and Alice Gita Okecho.
Now in its fourth yr, the Run expanded from 6,000 contributors in 2025 to over 8,000 this yr, attracting its largest number of sponsors and companions whereas reinforcing Uganda’s rising custom of wellness and organised working.
Speaking after the event, David Wandera praised the overwhelming turnout and the collective effort behind the initiative.
“What we witnessed presently goes previous a run. It’s a extremely efficient demonstration of what turns into attainable when communities, corporates, households and sports activities actions fanatics come collectively behind a shared set off,” talked about Wandera.
David Wandera – Absa Monetary establishment Uganda Managing Director
“We’re deeply grateful to all people who confirmed up and notably the working golf gear and individuals who intentionally educated and prepared for this downside. The keenness spherical this yr’s Run shows a rising custom of wellness in Uganda, nevertheless further importantly, a shared dedication to serving to further girls hold at college and pursue their needs.”
Previous opponents, the event maintained its central mission of supporting initiatives that help girls keep at college and pursue their needs.
The 25km Seven Hills Drawback as soon as extra proved the highlight of the day as runners battled steep climbs alongside Kampala’s scenic nevertheless unforgiving terrain. Contributors collected commemorative wristbands for every hill conquered, turning each ascent proper right into a milestone second and doubtless probably the most celebrated choices of the event.
Throughout the elite race, Peter Akwech crossed the tip line in 1:21:40 to emerge the very best male finisher, whereas Sylvia Chelangat acquired the women’s class after clocking 1:46:55.
This yr’s model moreover supplied winners a possibility to compete internationally on the 2026 Absa Black Star Marathon in Accra, with the very best two feminine and male finishers incomes coveted slots to indicate Uganda in Ghana.
Helen Basuuta Nangonzi talked about the initiative was aimed towards making the Run further vital and aspirational for contributors.
“Certainly one of many points that makes the Absa KH3–7 Hills Run distinctive is that we’re not solely rewarding effectivity with prizes, however moreover with experiences,” she talked about.
“Working presently has superior proper into a way to experience new places, cultures and communities. By way of the prospect to participate throughout the Absa Black Star Marathon in Ghana, we’re giving Ugandan runners a possibility to indicate Uganda and experience one different part of Africa due to their passion for working.”
Alongside the Accra marathon various, the overall winner of the 25km downside obtained a UGX 10 million cash prize, whereas the very best feminine and male finishers moreover walked away with land titles courtesy of Bakayima.
“The seven hills course isn’t easy. It pushes you bodily and mentally, nevertheless the ambiance presently was unimaginable, and naturally we’re working to assist the great motive behind preserving girls in education so that they’ll acquire their needs,” talked about Peter Akwech.
Sylvia Chelangat added: “Worthwhile means fairly a bit, notably determining we’re working for one factor better like serving to girls hold at college. The possibility to moreover compete in Ghana makes it rather more specific on account of it supplies me a possibility to experience one different nation through sport.”
In response to Alice Gita Okecho, the event has flip into a vital catalyst for organised working in Uganda.
“We’ve received seen distinctive progress on this event over time not solely in participation, nevertheless in how severely Ugandans are embracing working and wellness,” she talked about.
“Further golf gear are teaching persistently, further households are collaborating, 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.”
The family-friendly event moreover featured actions for children and concluded with performances from Azawi, Winnie Nwagi, King Saha and Dax Vibez, mixing sport, leisure and philanthropy proper right into a vibrant celebration of group affect.
