Over 2,000 Participate in Inaugural ADRA Run to Support Vulnerable Girls
By Kayiira Jackson
The inaugural ADRA Uganda Run 2026 was successfully held on Sunday across five locations in Uganda, with the main event taking place in Nalya, Kampala.
Held under the theme “Run, Save Her Future,” the charity run attracted more than 2,000 participants nationwide, with Kampala alone registering over 1,200 runners. Other host locations included Agago, Kyaka, Karamoja, and Yumbe.
The event was organised to raise awareness and support for vulnerable girls in Agago District, where many drop out of school at an early age due to teenage pregnancies and other socio-economic challenges.
Speaking during the event, Pastor Samuel Bamweyana Kizito, who is in charge of Faith and Community Development at ADRA, said the initiative aims at sensitising Ugandans about the growing crisis affecting the girl child.
“The main purpose for this run and program is to create awareness amongst Ugandans about the challenges girl children face in Uganda. According to statistics, at least 25,000 get pregnant and out of four, one dies while giving birth. Twenty-four percent of girls in Uganda get pregnant between the ages of 14 and 19 years, while in Agago the figure stands at 28 percent,” he explained.
He added that the organisation viewed the situation as a setback to national development, hence the decision to launch an annual run targeting different districts across the country.
“As ADRA, we saw it taking the country behind, and that is why we decided to come up with this run. It will be annual. This time we are focusing on Agago District, and next time it will be another district,” he noted.
During the event, Bishop Simwogerere David called upon the government to expand technical and vocational training centres to support children who fail to progress through formal education.
“We request the government to continue putting up technical and skilling institutes in all parts of the country and even reach village level so that children who do not get the chance to advance in formal education can still acquire skills that can help them earn a living,” Bishop Simwogerere said.
ADRA Uganda is targeting to raise over Shs500 million to provide skilling equipment for girls who have dropped out of school in Agago District, as well as supply sanitary pads to support their wellbeing and dignity.
Participants in Kampala took part in 5km and 10km races, while others joined a 2km walk in solidarity with the cause.