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David GOMBE
Kampala turned pink on Sunday as Over 8000 runners, households, health fanatics, corporates and organised operating golf equipment descended on town for the 2026 Absa KH3–7 Hills Run, remodeling the capital right into a celebration of endurance, group and function 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, members 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 one in every 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 members in 2025 to over 8000 this yr, attracting the most important variety of sponsors and companions so 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 in class and pursue their desires by supporting initiatives that tackle the limitations that usually pressure ladies out of training.
For a lot of members, Sunday’s race meant greater than crossing the end line. Each kilometer represented a contribution in direction of serving to extra ladies keep in class and pursue brighter futures.
“What we witnessed in the present day goes past a run. It’s a highly effective demonstration of what turns into attainable when communities, corporates, households and sports activities fanatics 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 educated 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 in class and pursue their desires,” 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 fun of the problem, runners earned a commemorative wristband for each hill conquered, remodeling every ascent right into a milestone second and one of many occasion’s most prized badges of accomplishment, a function many members 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 aside from others, this yr’s version as soon as once more supplied winners a uncommon alternative to take their ardour past borders by way of 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 turn into one of the sought-after prizes amongst Uganda’s operating group.
Helen Basuuta Nangonzi, Advertising 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 members. “One of many issues that makes the Absa KH3–7 Hills Run distinctive is that we’re not solely rewarding efficiency with prizes, but in addition with experiences. Operating in the present day has advanced 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 signify 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 probably the most rewarding but.
“The seven hills course is rarely straightforward. It pushes you bodily and mentally, however the environment in the present day was unimaginable, and naturally we’re operating to help the nice reason for retaining ladies in training in order that they’ll obtain their desires” stated Peter Akwech
“Profitable means loads, particularly understanding we’re operating 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 offers me an opportunity to expertise one other nation by way of 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 looking for more healthy life.
Alice Gita Okecho of the Kampala Hash Home Harriers stated the occasion had turn into an essential catalyst for organised operating in Uganda. “We’ve got seen exceptional progress on this occasion through the years not solely in participation, however in how severely Ugandans are embracing operating and wellness. 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 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 lively residing 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 group influence.
This yr’s version was made attainable by way of help from a rising ecosystem of over 22 sponsors and companions, making the 2026 version the largest and most rewarding but.
