By Our Reporter
Proceeds from Absa Bank Uganda’s KH3-7 Hills Run, an annual charity marathon co-hosted by Absa and the Kampala Hash House Harriers (KH3), are helping keep vulnerable girls in school in Eastern Uganda. On Tuesday, the bank and Amref Health Africa commissioned a rainwater harvesting facility at Lwanika Primary School in Mayuge District as part of a wider intervention to improve menstrual health, dignity and school retention for girls.
The commissioning marks the latest milestone in a broader Absa–Amref partnership funded through proceeds of the 2025 edition of the KH3-7 Hills Run. Through a cumulative investment of UGX 80 million implemented in two phases, the initiative has reached 20 schools across Mayuge District, Mbale City, and Bukwo District, supporting 5,295 girls with reusable sanitary pads, reaching 6,196 learners with menstrual health and sexual and reproductive health information, and training 60 teachers as Menstrual Hygiene Management Champions.
At Lwanika Primary School, the partnership has also supported 225 vulnerable learners with school uniforms and socks, while the new water facility will strengthen access to water needed for menstrual hygiene management and create a more dignified learning environment for girls. Together, these interventions are designed to address some of the practical barriers that cause girls to miss school, particularly during menstruation.
Julius Busingye, Relationship Manager for Corporate and Investment Banking at Absa Bank Uganda, said the initiative reflects Absa’s commitment to ensuring that the impact of the KH3-7 Hills Run extends beyond race day and into communities where it can create lasting change.
“At Absa, we believe every kilometre run in the KH3-7 Hills Run should translate into meaningful impact. For many girls, access to water, menstrual hygiene support and basic school essentials can make the difference between staying in school and falling behind. Through this partnership with Amref, we are helping create safer, more supportive learning environments where girls can learn with dignity and confidence,” he said.
Timothy Tirwomwe Basiimampora, Chair of the Amref Health Africa Advisory Council, said the partnership is helping address one of the often-overlooked barriers to girls’ education by combining menstrual health support with practical school-based interventions.
“This partnership is helping remove barriers that keep girls out of school by combining menstrual health education, reusable sanitary pads, school uniforms and improved access to water. The commissioning of this facility is an important step in ensuring that girls have the support they need to manage menstruation safely, remain in class and continue learning,” he said.
Through its partnership with Amref Health Africa, Absa Bank Uganda is using proceeds from the KH3 7 Hills Run to support practical, community-led interventions that improve girls’ wellbeing, school attendance and long-term opportunity, reinforcing the message that no child’s education should be interrupted by something as manageable as menstruation.