The body of the Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei (Sergeant) was laid to rest on Saturday, 14th September 2024 in Kapsyiwo village, Muimet parish, Bukwo sub-county – Kongasis county in Bukwo district.
The deceased was accorded a state burial during an event graced by hundreds of people.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni joined thousands of mourners in bidding farewell to the fallen athlete who competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France.
Rebecca Cheptegei burial
State minister of sports Hon. Peter Ogwang lays a wreath on the coffin of the late Rebecca Cheptegei
State minister for sports Hon Peter Ogwang pays last respect to the late Rebecca Cheptegei
State minister for sports Hon Peter Ogwang hands over condolence money to the children of the late Rebecca Cheptegei
Minister of State for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang delivered the president’s message, describing the deceased as a great ambassador who worked hard for her country Uganda.
Minister Ogwang also handed over Shs 50M condolence to the family on behalf of the President.
“It’s very unfortunate that, we have lost Rebecca who has been our great ambassador lifting the Ugandan flag high under barbaric acts of gender based violence”, Ogwang said.
Cheptegei passed on in Kenya following a domestic gender based violence with her boy-friend.
“As a country we condenm with the strongest terms possible the barbaric actions of domestic violence which led to the death of Rebecca. I urge Ugandans to break the silence on gender based violence and say no to it. It is because of the great performance and contributions of the people of Sebei that government built Teryet national high altitude training centre for purposes of identifying, maturing and developing talents in the country. Now that the Teryet national high altitude training centre is complete, it”s a high time our athletes from Uganda come back and train from home” Minister Ogwang added.
The minister lauded the people of Sebei region and the Kenyan government for the support given to the family during the trying moment when Cheptegei died.
Children of the late Rebecca Cheptegei with the president of Uganda Athletics Federation Dominic Outchet
Background:
Rebecca Cheptegei died from petrol burns after a domestic brawl with the former boyfriend, Nickson Ndiema.
It is believed that Ndiema allegedly poured petrol on the Olympian before lighting a fire in Endebess residence.
Both Cheptegei and Ndiema sustained deep burns and were initially taken to Kitale Level Four Hospital.Later on, the duo was transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret town due to the severity of the injuries suffered from where they both passed on.
At the 2024 Olympic Games in France, Cheptegei completed the women’s marathon in the 44th position with a timing of 2:32:14.
Her compatriots Stella Chesang and Mercyline Chelangat finished 8th and 69th respectively.
Last year, Chepetegi clinched silver at the Padova women’s marathon in Italy.
A number of personalities in the world came out openly to condemn the cowardly act of domestic violence and many activists echoed aloud their voices.
Cheptegei left behind three children.
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