By Victor Turinawe
The 24th edition of the Akii-Bua Memorial Track and Field Championship that took place at Uganda Christian University (UCU) saw a total of 244 participants from 40 institutions turn up for the 12-category one-day event.
Athletes participated in this year’s edition hosted at UCU’s main football pitch. Among the categories were the 100 metres, 200 metres, 800 metres, under-20 3,000 metres and others.
The athletes were from various institutions, including UCU, Uganda Police Force (UPF), Uganda Prisons, Luwero Secondary School, and Gombe Secondary School. Some districts including Koboko, Masindi, and Arua City also had participants take part.
From UCU, Robinson Angaya finished as the winner in one of the men’s groups of the 200 metres category, while Bridget Mbwali was the first runner up in the women’s 200 metres category. Joseph Okorimo alias “Sweetboy” and Dickens Odong were also among the participants from UCU. Okorimo finished in the fourth position while Odong finished in the sixth position.
Other outstanding performers were Emmanuel Abodo from Uganda Prisons, Tracy Nabunya from Gombe Secondary School, Malvine Akwenyi, and Joseph Freza Yokwe from Koboko Municipality, who all emerged as winners in various categories.
The action, characterised by a wet surface in the morning hours following a heavy downpour, later gained momentum in the afternoon under bright weather conditions.
Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) President, Domenic Otucet, explained that the championship provided an opportunity for athletes to showcase their abilities, especially after several regional competitions were postponed or cancelled.
“This competition has given athletes another chance to demonstrate their talent. Those who registered in time were able to participate, and the event has also served as preparation for our upcoming National Championships,” he noted.
“Looking ahead, UAF is preparing for several major international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the World Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, the World Road Running Championships, the Youth Games in Dakar, as well as Diamond League and Continental Tour events,” said Otucet.
The UAF President described athletics as Uganda’s leading sport and called upon all stakeholders to work together to maintain the country’s strong standing in the discipline.
Otucet added, “Athletics remains the number one sport in Uganda. Let us continue working hard to uphold that position. We are one family that includes athletes, coaches, officials, sponsors, partners, supporters and the media.”
The top three athletes in each category walked away with cash prizes. The winner in each group received UGX 300,000 while the first runners up received UGX 200,000, and the second runners up received UGX 100,000.
