Professional runners to be part of Absa KH3 – 7 Hills Run

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The 2024 Absa KH3 – 7 Hills Run Sunday, March 17 will include professional athletes, who have been invited to spur the event by providing new challenges to runners. Proceeds from the run will again go towards  supporting the girl child in school.

Speaking about the event, Wilberforce Kyambadde, the KH3 Hash Master said, ”The Absa KH3-7 Hills Run aligns perfectly with the primary objective of Kampala Hash House Harriers, promoting physical fitness among its members. Anticipation for the event is high and this year, we hope to see increased participation, which will support the club’s social corporate responsibility towards a meaningful cause.”

Absa Bank Uganda and the Kampala Hash House Harriers confirmed their continued support for the girl child through the runs. The winner of the run will win a plot of land.

“Following a highly successful first edition in 2023, we are optimistic for an even better run this year whose proceeds will go towards social good, Keeping the Girl Child in School. This is in addition to bringing us together to promote health and wellness through physical activity,” said Mumba Kalifungwa, Managing Director, Absa Bank Uganda.

The first edition last year which attracted over 2,500 runners, both individuals and corporate entities, raised a total of UGX200 million in proceeds which were dedicated towards tackling girl child related societal challenges namely reintegrating teenage mothers in school, skills training and improving menstrual hygiene management to manage school absenteeism and dropout rates among girls.

The funds benefited a total of 2,750 girls, with the support of various partners like World Vision, TERRWODE, Wakisa Ministries, IYAWE and Mukono High School. 18 teenage mothers received financial support to return to school to pursue higher education within both formal and tertiary institutions.

An additional 138 teen mothers were skilled in culinary arts, baking, tailoring, knitting, making of liquid soap, and design skills in collaboration with Makerere University Department of Adult and Community Development. The products they make would in turn enable them to support their babies.

Under the initiative to improve menstrual hygiene management among schoolgirls, 1,350 girls at Mukono High School received reusable sanitary pads to enable them to stay in school. Additionally, 1,262 girls at Awac Primary School in the Karamoja region received funding that was used to construct a borehole and changing room for girls on the school premises.

The run includes a 5km and a 21km long distance race and has so far received support from Kampala Pharmaceuticals Industries, Kakira Sugar Limited, UAP Old Mutual, Crown Beverages, Case Medical Services, DHL Express, Bakaima Real Estate Agents, Hostalite Ltd, New Vision, Next Media Services and Fenon Premium Events.

Participation from both individuals and organisations is welcome with registration via two options; either as an individual or a corporate team for a nominal fee. Corporate team registrations range from UGX1.5m, UGX3M and UGX5M, depending on the size of the team. Individual registration costs only UGX 30,000 for an ordinary kit and UGX35,000 for a timed one. Payments can be made at any Absa branch of convenience or via AirtelMoney (Pay Code – 4365164) or (MTN MoMo Pay Code – 590860).