By Betty Nakayenga
Kampala was red on the the 17th of May 2026 as people from all over the country came together to run for a girl child.
Absa bank partnered with many other sponsors and exceedingly delivered a run with a cause. “We run so she can run. Because when girls are empowered, communities rise, get stronger and more resilient.”
To a future with more girls in the classrooms. The sponsors included Bakaima Real Estates, Old Mutual, Aquafina, Vision Group, Nation media, UNEB, Office of the Auditor General, among others.
The run was flagged off at 6:20am at Lugogo millennium park. Runners took part in the 25km, 10km and 5kms around the traditional 7 hills of Kampala; Nakasero, Mengo, Rubaga, Kibuli, Namirembe, Old Kampala and Lubiri.
Sylvia Chelangat won the female race of 25km at 1hr 25min. While Peter Akwech won the male race of 25km at 1hr and 15mins. The two were awarded with gifts and medals for running for a cause.
Alongside the Accra marathon opportunity, the overall winner of the 25km challenge earned a UGX 10 million cash prize, while the top male and female finishers each walked away with land titles courtesy of Bakayima, making the 2026 edition the most rewarding yet.
At the finish line in the Lugogo millennium park, runners stretched as they were entertained to the brim.
Different coaches, especially dance coaches helped runners to stretch and work out while teaching them new dance moves alongside a DJ that understood well his crowd and played music that couldn’t let runners feel tired who grooved along until the end.
Amidst the dancing sessions, 10 phones were given away to the best dancers by UBTL, Uncle Mo Gabe interludes of comedy since he was the MC giving the audience a spectacular entertainment.
Many other artists graced the ceremony such as Dax Vibes, Azawi, Winnie Nwangi and King Saha understood the assignment perfectly well that she graced the stage in a very fitting gym wear and whined her beautiful body delivering a very beautiful stage performance that entertained the runners.
She ended her performance by encouraging people to always keep fit and run for a cause.
King Saha crowned the stage entertainment.
The crowd welcomed him and grooved to his music singing word by word.
