Thousands on Sunday braved the morning heat to run for a cause at this year’s Absa KH3 – 7 Hills Run, at the Kololo Independence grounds in Kampala.
The run that seeks funds to help support the girl-child education initiatives, included the 5km and 22 km race. The 5km race kicked- off from Kololo Airstrip to John Babiha (Acacia) Avenue to Kololo Hill Drive, then to Prince Charles Drive, Ibis Vale to Impala Avenue, Upper Kololo Terrace, then to Wampewo Avenue before finally returning to the airstrip.
The 22km race, spanning the 7 Hills of Kampala, kicked off from Kololo Airstrip to Acacia Avenue, Kyadondo Road, Akibua Road, then to Nakasero Hill Road, then connect to Kyaggwe Road, to Rashid Khamis Road, Ginnery Road, and then connect to the Old Kampala Road, Namirembe Road. From Namirembe Road, the route goes through Willis Road, Centenary Road, and then to Cathedral Hill Road, Albert Cook Road to Mutesa I Road, then to Stensera Road, St. Lawrence University Lane, and connect to Lubiri Ring Road.
The route then connected to Musajja Alumbwa Road, then to Lubiri Ring Road, Mengo Hill Road, Nsambya Road, Nsambya Estate Road, then to Heritage Road and Gaba Road, then to Kibuli Road, Mbogo Road, 8th Street Industrial Area, Mukwano Road, Jinja Road, then to Wampewo Avenue and subsequently Kilolo Airstrip.
The runners received ribbons upon completion of each of Kampala’s renowned seven hills which include Nakasero, Old Kampala, Namirembe, Rubaga, Mengo, Nsambya, and Kibuli hills.
Mumba Kalifungwa, the Managing Director of Absa Bank Uganda, speaking to why the bank chose this initiative said that the bank’s Citizenship ambition is to be an active force for good in the communities where it operates.
“Advancing education and youth employment as well as promoting a just society are some of our key citizenship pillars. Additionally, the 4th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) speaks to the need to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all while the 5th one speaks to achieving gender equality for all. We believe that this is our small contribution to achieving this goal in Uganda.”
Wilberforce Kyambadde the KH3 Hash Master said he was pleased with the momentum that the Absa KH3-7 Hills Run was gathering in only its second year, now even attracting professional runners.
This year’s marathon in particular has attracted participation from elite runners coordinated by the Cheptegei Development Foundation whose activities among developing local talent include targeted programmes like providing safe haven for girls fleeing FGM in the Sebei region. Often, cultural practices like these also present a barrier for girls continuing with education.
“The activity kicked off at 6am with a warm-up session and official flagging off Participation all went well. The proceeds from the Run will go towards supporting the girl-child education initiatives, which is a major component of Absa Bank’s promise of being an active force for good,” said Helen Basuuta Nangonzi, Absa Bank Uganda’s Marketing and Customer Experience Director.
Available data indicates that 53% of Ugandan girls aged 6-12 complete the required seven years of primary education, and merely 22.5% of the female Ugandan population enroll in secondary education.
This can be attributed to several obstacles that girls in our community face, including poverty, cultural barriers, early marriages, unwanted pregnancy, and difficulty managing menstrual hygiene.
Winners
Ladies
3. Bronze – Chebet Saibi
2. Silver – Chesang Annet
1. Gold – Chemusto Kareen
Men
3. Bronze – Aggrey Agaba (1:27:55)
2. Silver – Brian Ategeka (1:18:03)
1. Gold – Philip Kiptoo (1:13:36)
Overall winner Philip Kiptoo (1:13:36)won 50×100 land title donated by Bakayima
Top 2 males and Top 2 Females from Running Clubs will be taken to Johannesburg South Africa for the 2025 Absa Run Your City marathon.
Top 2 males from the KH3 Running Club.
1. Brian Ategeka
2. Aggrey Agaba
Top 2 females from the Joshua Cheptegei Athletics Club
1. Kereen Chemusto
2. Annet Chesang.
