President Yoweri Museveni has commended sports personalities in Uganda for the achievements attained for the country during 2019. 

The President was speaking at State House, Entebbe yesterday shortly after he and the 1st Lady, Janet Museveni, had hosted over 400 sports men and women as well as officials to a luncheon to celebrate the achievements the country has realized in sports this year.  

“I am here to congratulate you for the achievements and for the good name you have brought to our country. These are just initial results and they are due to our indirect support to sports. Sports is now coming up especially in Sebei Sub-Region because we saved the people of the area from the Karimojong and Pokot of Kenya who used to cause insecurity. The people of this region who are now excelling in sports used to keep on the run before insecurity was eradicated from their area,” he said.

The President decorated the sports people with the medals that they won at various levels in international competitions. Joshua Kiprui and Halima Nakayi were the two leading athletes who scooped gold medals in Doha, Qatar during the 2019 World Athletics Championships.

Mr. Museveni pledged a monthly package of Shs. 5 million for gold medalists at continental level while silver medalists would receive Shs.3 million and bronze Shs.1 million. He announced that Halima Nakayi would get a double-cabin pick up vehicle and that a bus would be provided to athletes.

While stressing the importance of talent development through sports, Mr. Museveni noted that the sector also is part of entertainment on top of providing business as well as making people keep fit. He informed the sports fraternity in the country that Government has not started funding sports directly because it has focused on vital development sectors such as roads. He expressed unhappiness with the pace of construction of the high altitude-training centre in Kapchorwa District. He, however, assured guests that he would personally follow up the project to ensure its speedy completion.

He further assured the sports fraternity in particular and the country at large that the NRM Government would build Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira District and Buhinga Stadium in Kabarole District. He revealed that plans were underway to build 18 stadia in the traditional regional centres in Uganda.

On education, the President strongly criticized elements in various UPE and USE Schools for levying illegal fees noting that the situation has led to high student dropout rate in primary and secondary schools. He added that this issue will not be tolerated because it has affected school enrolment. He explained that UPE and USE programmes were designed to cater for poor families particularly those in rural areas so that their children attain education. He advised parents to provide packed lunch for their school going children.

The President congratulated Education and Sports Minister, Hon. Janet Museveni, for her role that has enabled the sports sector in the country to progress.

The First Lady, on her part, said the country is very proud of the sports people’s achievements for which she thanked God. She congratulated them for becoming the 9th out of 214 countries at the international level and 3rd out of 54 African teams in sports. She thanked the President for his personal support to sports. 

State Minister for Primary Education, Rosemary Sseninde, while saluting the President for the national achievements realized under the NRM Government, noted that the peace that he ushered into the country has enabled athletes go out and win.

ENDS