Athletes, sports administrators and advocates gathered on March 7 at the Lugogo hockey grounds for the annual Women’s Day Run, an event organised in partnership with the Uganda Olympic Committee and Uganda Athletics Federation to celebrate women’s achievements in sport and promote gender equality.

The run formed part of the activities marking International Women’s Day, bringing together both men and women in a show of solidarity and support for women’s rights and participation in sport.

The event, now in its second edition, continues to grow in participation and influence. According to the General Secretary of the Uganda Olympic Committee, Beatrice Ayikoru, the initiative is intended to celebrate the achievements of women while addressing the persistent challenges they face in sports and society. She noted that while women continue to excel on the field of play and win medals, they still lag behind when it comes to equal opportunities and benefits from their efforts.

Held under the theme “Give to Gain,” the run encouraged stakeholders to invest their time, resources and support toward empowering women and girls through sport. The initiative also aligns with broader global calls to scale up investment in justice and equality for women and girls. Organisers emphasised that sport can serve as a powerful platform to mobilise communities, promote education and open opportunities for women across the country.

Participants competed in several race categories including a 10-kilometre race, with athletes vying for prize money awarded to the top five finishers in both the men’s and women’s divisions. In the women’s 10K race, Zafia Elizabeth emerged victorious, expressing pride in taking part in an event that empowers women and celebrates their contributions to sport and society.

Officials from the National Sports Council of Uganda and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development also joined the celebrations. Commissioner for Gender and Women Affairs Angela Nakafelo applauded the initiative, describing it as an important platform to highlight progress made by women while advocating for greater protection of their rights. She urged both men and women to stand together in addressing gender-based violence and ensuring women and girls have access to justice and equal opportunities.

Beyond competition, the run carried a broader message of unity and inclusion. Organisers deliberately encouraged men to participate alongside women to reinforce the idea that advancing women’s rights requires collective effort. The spirit of teamwork and friendship embodied in sport, officials noted, should extend into communities and families to build safer and more supportive environments for women and girls.

Looking ahead, organisers plan to expand the Women’s Day Run into a week-long programme of activities leading up to International Women’s Day. These will include life-skills training, psychosocial support and safeguarding education for athletes and community members.

The long-term vision is to grow the initiative into a charity platform that can support young women in sport, address issues such as early marriage and gender-based violence, and ensure more girls stay in school and continue pursuing sport.

With participation steadily increasing and stronger partnerships forming across the sports sector, the Women’s Day Run is steadily becoming a powerful symbol of empowerment reminding the country that investing in women and girls through sport benefits not only individuals but the entire community.