Runners brave rain, Kampala hills for charity
Running in the rain might not be the most appealing idea for many, but for the thousands at the Millenium Grounds, Lugogo, the experience was far more than just getting wet.
Memebers of the fast and furious team celebrating after finishing at the Kampala Absa 7 Hills Run on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Nicholas Oneal)
Nicholas Oneal
Journalist @New Vision
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Despite the bone-chilling weather, designer shoes were laced and spirits were high for this year’s Absa Kampala Hill Run that took place on Sunday morning.
Running in the rain might not be the most appealing idea for many, but for the thousands at the Millenium Grounds, Lugogo, the experience was far more than just getting wet.
A ruuner dancing after finishing at the Kampala Absa 7 Hills Run. (Photo by Nicholas Oneal)
It was a story of resilience, human determination and solidarity for a common goal – Charity for the Girl Child.
For some, it appeared like a fashion galore, but rain and mud never did any justice. There was the kickboxing veteran Moses Golola who looked like a weather-beaten chicken as he flaunted his muscles to entertain participants with hugs.
Ladies pose for a photo with Moses Golola after the Kampala Absa 7 Hills Run. (Photo by Nicholas Oneal)
After running, many made a beeline for the recovery tent complaining of numbness. Members from the Fast and Furious running team had to buy off the entire chicken BBQ stove to satisfy their hunger and get the much-needed warmth.
To ward off the cold, there were performances from Rema and Elijah Kitaka. They did well to rouse the mood although most people had left due to the muddy grounds.
Rema Namakula performing at the Kampala Absa 7 Hills Run. (Photo by Nicholas Oneal)
The run was flagged off by the new Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) executive director Sharifah Buzeki alongside Absa Interim Managing Director, David Wandera.
Runners in the 21km race set off at 6.30 am, and were closely followed by the 10km group and finally the 5km group.
A ruuner dancing after finishing at the Kampala Absa 7 Hills Run. (Photo by Nicholas Oneal)
The run registered a strong turnout despite the rain. The theme for this year’s run, “Change Her Story”, is a rallying cry to champion the critical cause of empowering the girl child by keeping her in school.
Since its inception in 2023, the run has raised sh500m for girl child education - positively impacting over 10,000 girls across Uganda.