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UOC reflects about 2024 Olympic year, torches into 2025

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The year 2024 was special for the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC).

This marked the XXXIII Olympiad games hosted by France under the motto “Games wide open”.

Uganda was among the 204 countries that took part and presented a strong delegation of athletics, swimming, rowing and cycling.

Joshua Cheptegei won a gold medal in the 10,000M race with Peruth Chemutai signing out with a silver in the 3000M stepple chase women race as Uganda finished 55th overall and 7th in Africa.

Joshua Cheptegei smiles with the Uganda national flag
Peruth Chemutai celebrates with the Uganda national flag after winning silver in the women 3000m steeple chase final | Credit: John Phillip Mugabi

Uganda also graced the African Games in March 2024 winning 20 medals (4 gold, 6 silver and 10 bronze); finishing 13th out of 54 countries.

The Olympics in France and African Games in Ghana aside, Uganda Olympic Committee remained engaged in a number of programs.

Dr. Donald Rukare, the president of UOC addressed the media during the end of year address held at their headquarters in Lugogo, Kampala on 30th December 2024.

Dr Donald Rukare during the end of year address
Moses Mwase addresses the media
Ann Mungoma addressing the media
Dr Donald Rukare addresses the media

Dr Rukare was flanked by executive committee member Moses Mwase, Ann Mugoma.

“In 2024, the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) / Commonwealth Games Uganda (CGU) was able to achieve a number of milestones in line with our strategic plan” Dr Rukare hinted.

“Along the way, we also had some hurdles. Overall, we look back at 2024 with a deep sense of satisfaction and look at 2025 with ever more promise” he added.

In particular, Dr Rukare pointed to the 100 percent attendance to all executive committee meetings and the quarterly council meetings with the annual general assembly.

One key highlight was the historic visit of the president of International Olympic Committee Dr Thomas Bach as president of the association of the national Olympic committee of Africa Mustafa Berraf.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach is welcomed by world champion Joshua Cheptegei at at the VIP section of Entebbe International Airport
Thomas Bach and IOC member William Fredrick Blick
L-R: Claudia Bach, Thomas Bach and Hamson Obua
Thomas Bach awards a medal to President Museveni at Entebbe State House
Prime Minister Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja smiles after reciving a medal from Thomas Bach

UOC also hosted the Africa Law Webinar with participants from Asia, Europe and Africa as well as the African Olympic Debate attended by Kenya, Lesotho and the host country, Uganda.

UOC also actively participated in the national sports forums convened by the minister of state for sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, with an extensive input on the draft of the national sports regulations 2024.

Member associations as Basketball, archery, football, swimming, volleyball, netball, badminton, Taekwondo, Judo, Rugby, boxing, Gymnastics, hockey, table tennis and handball also remained vibrant.

Juliet K. Mubi, the public relations officer at National Forestry Authority signs on the placard

Partnerships:

Uganda Olympic Committee further stamped partnerships with important pillars as Uganda Forestry Authority providing 1500 acres of land in five locations with the objective of setting up the largest Olympic forest in the Olympic global family.

There were partnerships with various corporates; Nile Breweries, Kansai Plascon, Sanlam Insurance, Graphic Systems, Uganda Tourism Board, Bahrain Olympic Committee, Saudi Olympic Committee and Cuban Olympic Committee; and more are targeted in 2025.

Sanlam Insurance presents a dummy cheque to Uganda Olympic Committe (UOC) officials
L-R: Brenda Nzirambeera (country procurement manager), Nile Breweries Limited country manager Adu Rando, Dr Donald Rukare (UOC president), Moses Mwase (Team Uganda Chef De Mission) during the official signing of the contracts
Plascon Uganda delegation members enjoy a moment on the multi-coloured Olympic rings in Paris city, France
Kansai Plascon Managing Drector Santosh Gumte shows off the contract with Dr Donald Rukare as the other officials look on | Credit: David Isabirye

A couple of Uganda administrators assumed pivotal roles at regional and international levels.

Harriet Aya (Gymnastics), Simon Peter Komakech (Modern Pentathlon) and Sadick Nassiwu (Volleyball) all attained different responsibilities.

Heading to 2025:

There is a lot in stock for Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) come the year 2025 with one key event being the elective assembly in March.

They are still in the quest to secure land to construct the Olympic office and second OlympiAfrica center as well as preparations for the 6th Islamic Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (6th to 15th August 2025).

I would love to thank my colleagues on the Uganda Olympic Committee / CommonWealth Games Uganda Executive committee for the unwavering commitment and guidance. Our staff at the secretariat for their amazing hard-work and resilience, members of the UOC Commissions, our member associations (federations), the Government of Uganda, Ministry of Education and Sports, National Council of Sports (NCS), partners and media for their support. We look forward to our continued collaboration. We firmly believe that 2025 will be a year full of sporting promise and activity. We remain committed to serving our members and the athletes to ensure that sports made in Uganda continues to soar even higher.

Dr. Donald Rukare, president Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC)

The post UOC reflects about 2024 Olympic year, torches into 2025 appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

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