In remembrance of Uganda’s first Olympic gold medalist, John Akii-Bua, Uganda Athletics successfully held the 24th Akii Bua Memorial Meet at UCU Mukono on June 13.
Despite challenges with facilities, several athletes produced outstanding performances. Emmanuel Aboda continued his impressive form by running 10.01 seconds in the men’s 100m, a time better than the national record of 10.06 seconds set by Tarsis Orogot in 2024.
Adome Pius also ran faster than Orogot’s record, while Omale Jan, Allan Ngobi and Solomon Obuto matched or bettered the mark during the qualifying heats. Unfortunately, the performances cannot be officially recognised because the races lacked a Fully Automatic Timing (FAT) system.
The lack of standard facilities also forced organisers to leave out the famous 400m hurdles event, the race in which Akii Bua famously won Olympic gold in a world-record time of 47.82 seconds at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany.
Uganda Athletics Publicity Secretary David Mawerere Namaye described the situation as heartbreaking.
“Though the government is trying in recent times to put in place sports facilities, this year the lack of standard facilities has cost us to the extent that we had to leave out Akii Bua’s race. It is heartbreaking. With Namboole closed, we had no options,” Namaye said.
Middle-distance runner Ronald Musagala, who clocked 3:51.2 in the men’s 1500m, his personal best since returning from a long-term injury, also expressed concern about the facilities.
“As a person, I am happy to run here for Akii Bua, who I believe to be Uganda’s best ever. To do what he did in those times was very challenging. Here we are experiencing the race on a poor track with no balance, and it is very hard to run your best. But I am happy with my performance because it is my best since returning from injury.”
Musagala finished third behind Silas Chemutai, who won the race in 3:49.1, and Jacob Sande of Uganda Police Athletics Club, who posted 3:50.2.
This year’s memorial, the 24th edition, came exactly seven days before June 20, the date on which Akii Bua passed away in Kampala in 1997 at the age of 47.
With no participation from athletes outside Uganda, more than 200 athletes from 20 athletics clubs took part in the competition, with winners in the major events receiving prize money.
Selected Winners
Women’s Events
100m
- Bridget Mbwali (Uganda Christian University Athletics Club) – 11.7
- Evaline Ocen Koli (Uganda Prisons Athletics Club) – 11.9
- Esther Auma (Uganda Prisons Athletics Club) – 12.2
200m
- Malvine Akwenyi (Uganda Police Athletics Club) – 24.6
- Esther Auma (Uganda Prisons Athletics Club) – 24.9
- Bridget Mbwali (Uganda Christian University Athletics Club) – 25.1
400m
- Malvine Akwenyi (Uganda Police Athletics Club) – 56.1
- Mercy Lagen Layet (Gombe SSS Athletics Club) – 58.5
- Marufa Ahmed Dafala (Gombe SSS Athletics Club) – 58.9
800m
- Zumurah Chebet (Tororo) – 2:12.0
- Teddy Chemutai (Tororo) – 2:13.2
- Marvelous Orishaba (Ndejje University Athletics Club) – 2:13.5
1500m
- Felister Chekwemoi (Sebei College Tegeres Athletics Club) – 4:23.1
- Brenda Chekwemoi (Uganda Prisons Athletics Club) – 4:26.0
- Prisca Chemweno Chesang (Uganda Police Athletics Club) – 4:28.2
3000m
- Bentalin Yeko (Uganda Police Athletics Club) – 9:35.4
- Peace Chebet (Uganda Police Athletics Club) – 9:37.5
- Racheal Chelimo (Sebei College Tegeres Athletics Club) – 9:39.7
Men’s Events
100m
- Emmanuel Aboda (Uganda Prisons Athletics Club) – 10.06
- Adome Pius (Uganda Police Athletics Club) – 10.4
- Omale Jan (Arua City) – 10.6
200m
- Emmanuel Aboda (Uganda Prisons Athletics Club) – 20.9
- Kenneth Omuka (Makerere University Athletics Club) – 21.2
- Allan Ngobi (Uganda Police Athletics Club) – 21.6
400m
- Kenneth Omuka (Makerere University Athletics Club) – 48.0
- Erick Okwii (UWA Athletics Club) – 50.2
- James Ariti (UPDF Athletics Club) – 50.7
800m
- Shafeck Murungi (Tororo) – 1:51.7
- Ezekiel Chemos (Uganda Police Athletics Club) – 1:51.9
- Peter Akemkwene (Uganda Police Athletics Club) – 1:52.4
1500m
- Silas Chemutai (Uganda Prisons Athletics Club) – 3:49.1
- Jacob Sande (Uganda Police Athletics Club) – 3:50.2
- Ronald Musagala (UWA Athletics Club) – 3:51.2
5000m
- Connel Kiprotich (Uganda Police Athletics Club) – 14:21.7
- Job Chemutai (Uganda Police Athletics Club) – 14:24.8
- Ivan Kwemboi (Uganda Prisons Athletics Club) – 14:28.2
Men’s Long Jump
- Moses Komakech (Uganda Prisons Athletics Club) – 6.91m
- Denish Odongo (UPDF Athletics Club) – 6.80m
- Churchill Beandocker Ogenrwot (Uganda Christian University Athletics Club) – 6.64m
Men’s Discus
- Anthony Tukamuheebwa (UWA Athletics Club) – 44.18m
- Jordan William Watmon (Uganda Christian University Athletics Club) – 40.51m
- Oscar Opiyo (Uganda Prisons Athletics Club) – 38.93m
Men’s Javelin
- Johnson Mwaka (Uganda Prisons Athletics Club) – 58.32m
- Moses Jinaro Oceng (Uganda Prisons Athletics Club) – 55.08m
- Mark Otwal (Uganda Prisons Athletics Club) – 51.43m
