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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, reworking the capital right into a celebration of endurance, group and function in what grew to become the biggest version of the Run but.

From first-time runners chasing private milestones to seasoned athletes battling for high honors, contributors 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 considered 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 12 months, the Run has grown from 6,000 contributors in 2025 to over 8000 this 12 months, attracting the biggest variety of sponsors and companions so 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 always pressure ladies out of training.

For a lot of contributors, 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 at present 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 educated and ready for this problem. The passion 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, reworking every ascent right into a milestone second and one of many occasion’s most prized badges of accomplishment, a characteristic many contributors proudly captured and shared as a part of the Seven Hills expertise.

Peter Akwech crossed the end line in 1:21:40 to emerge high 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 by means of participation within the 2026 Absa Black Star Marathon in Accra.

The highest two male and high 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 some of the sought-after prizes amongst Uganda’s working group.

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 contributors. “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. Working at present has advanced right into a technique to expertise new locations, cultures and communities. By means of 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 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 isn’t simple. It pushes you bodily and mentally, however the environment at present was unimaginable, and naturally we’re working to assist the nice reason behind holding ladies in training in order that they will obtain their goals” mentioned Peter Akwech

“Successful means loads, particularly figuring out we’re working for one thing larger 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 by means of 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 searching for more healthy life.

Alice Gita Okecho of the Kampala Hash Home Harriers mentioned the occasion had turn into an vital catalyst for organised working in Uganda. “We now have seen exceptional progress on this occasion through the years not solely in participation, however in how severely Ugandans are embracing working and wellness. Extra golf equipment are coaching constantly, extra households are taking part, 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 energetic 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 affect.

This 12 months’s version was made potential by means of assist from a rising ecosystem of over 22 sponsors and companions, making the 2026 version the most important and most rewarding but.