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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 aim in what grew to develop into an important model of the Run however.
From first-time runners chasing personal 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 among 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 Dwelling 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 an important number of sponsors and companions up to now 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 additional women preserve at college and pursue their targets by supporting initiatives that take care of the obstacles that often drive women out of education.
For lots of members, Sunday’s race meant larger than crossing the tip line. Every kilometer represented a contribution within the course of serving to additional women preserve at college 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 eagerness spherical this 12 months’s Run shows a rising custom of wellness in Uganda, nevertheless additional importantly, a shared dedication to serving to additional women preserve at college and pursue their targets,” acknowledged 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 in all many event’s most prized badges of accomplishment, a operate many members proudly captured and shared as part of the Seven Hills experience.
Peter Akwech crossed the tip line in 1:21:40 to emerge prime male finisher, whereas Sylvia Chelangat clocked in at 1:46:55 to secure victory inside the women’s class.
Setting the Absa KH3–7 Hills Run apart from others, this 12 months’s model as quickly as as soon as extra provided winners a unusual different to take their passion previous borders by the use of participation inside the 2026 Absa Black Star Marathon in Accra.
The best two male and prime two female finishers who effectively achieved the Seven Hills Drawback earned coveted slots to compete in Ghana, a specific reward that has increasingly more turn into in all probability essentially the most sought-after prizes amongst Uganda’s working group.
Helen Basuuta Nangonzi, Promoting Director at Absa Monetary establishment Uganda, acknowledged the Accra marathon different shows the monetary establishment’s ambition to make the Run additional important and aspirational for members. “One among 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 way to experience new areas, cultures and communities. By the possibility to participate inside the Absa Black Star Marathon in Ghana, we’re giving Ugandan runners a chance to represent Uganda and experience one different part of Africa as a consequence of their passion for working.”
Alongside the Accra marathon different, the overall winner of the 25km downside earned a UGX 10 million cash prize, whereas the best feminine and male finishers each walked away with land titles courtesy of Bakayima, making the 2026 model in all probability essentially the most rewarding however.
“The seven hills course is never easy. It pushes you bodily and mentally, nevertheless the setting proper this second was unbelievable, and naturally we’re working to assist the great rationalization for safeguarding women in education so that they are going to get hold of their targets” acknowledged Peter Akwech
“Worthwhile means heaps, significantly determining we’re working for one factor larger like serving to women preserve at college. The prospect to moreover compete in Ghana makes it far more specific because of it supplies me a chance to experience one different nation by the use of sport,” acknowledged Sylvia Chelangat.
Previous opponents, 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 looking for extra wholesome life.
Alice Gita Okecho of the Kampala Hash Dwelling Harriers acknowledged the event had turn into an needed 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, additional 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 major 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 the use of assist from a rising ecosystem of over 22 sponsors and companions, making the 2026 model an important and most rewarding however.
