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David GOMBE
Kampala turned purple on Sunday as Over 8000 runners, households, health lovers, corporates and organised working golf equipment descended on the town for the 2026 Absa KH3–7 Hills Run, remodeling 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 up the demanding climbs and descents of Kampala’s iconic seven hills, a course more and more recognised as one among 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 12 months, the Run has grown from 6,000 individuals in 2025 to over 8000 this 12 months, attracting the most important variety of sponsors and companions thus far and reinforcing Uganda’s rising enthusiasm for organised working and wellness.
This 12 months’s version carried on the highly effective mission of serving to extra ladies keep in class and pursue their goals by supporting initiatives that handle the obstacles that usually power ladies out of training.
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 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 potential when communities, corporates, households and sports activities lovers come collectively behind a shared trigger. We’re deeply grateful to everybody who confirmed up and particularly the working golf equipment and people who deliberately skilled and ready for this problem. The keenness round this 12 months’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 goals,” mentioned David Wandera, Managing Director of Absa Financial institution Uganda.
The 25km Seven Hills Problem signature as soon as once more proved a real take a look at 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 working 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 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 ladies’s class.
Setting the Absa KH3–7 Hills Run other than others, this 12 months’s version as soon as once more provided winners a uncommon alternative to take their ardour past borders via 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 change into one of the sought-after prizes amongst Uganda’s working neighborhood.
Helen Basuuta Nangonzi, Advertising Director at Absa Financial institution Uganda, mentioned 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’re not solely rewarding efficiency with prizes, but additionally with experiences. Operating in the present day has advanced right into a option to expertise new locations, cultures and communities. By way of the chance to take part within the Absa Black Star Marathon in Ghana, we’re giving Ugandan runners an opportunity to symbolize Uganda and expertise one other a part of Africa due to their ardour for working.”
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 is rarely simple. It pushes you bodily and mentally, however the ambiance in the present day was unbelievable, and naturally we’re working to assist the good reason for holding ladies in training in order that they will obtain their goals” mentioned Peter Akwech
“Successful means rather a lot, particularly understanding we’re working 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 provides me an opportunity to expertise one other nation via sport,” mentioned Sylvia Chelangat.
Past competitors, the Run displays Uganda’s fast-growing working tradition, attracting everybody from seasoned athletes and organised golf equipment to first-time runners, company groups and households in search of more healthy existence.
Alice Gita Okecho of the Kampala Hash Home Harriers mentioned the occasion had change into an necessary catalyst for organised working in Uganda. “We’ve got seen exceptional progress on this occasion over time not solely in participation, however in how critically Ugandans are embracing working 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 working tradition whereas supporting a significant trigger.”
Kids additionally turned out in rising numbers for devoted child-friendly actions, offering a family-oriented health expertise that promotes wellness and lively 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 affect.
This 12 months’s version was made potential via assist from a rising ecosystem of over 22 sponsors and companions, making the 2026 version the largest and most rewarding but.
