International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Dr. Thomas Bach has concluded his two-day visit to Uganda and is now headed to Kenya, the next stop on his East Africa tour.
During his stay in Uganda, Dr. Bach engaged with key figures in the country’s sports and political spheres, focusing on strengthening Uganda’s role in the global Olympic movement and discussing the integration of refugees into sports programs.
Dr. Bach’s visit included meetings with Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and President Yoweri Museveni.
A key highlight was the discussion on refugee sports initiatives, where President Museveni pledged Uganda’s support for sports programs targeting displaced people, further underlining the country’s commitment to refugee welfare.
The IOC has been actively promoting sports as a tool for social inclusion, particularly for refugees, through its Olympic Refuge Foundation.
In addition to his meetings with government officials, Dr. Bach interacted with athletes, Olympians, and sports leaders during a dinner at Speke Resort Munyonyo, where he awarded OLY PINs to Olympians who represented Uganda in Games from 1972 to 2024.
He also planted a commemorative tree at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Center in Entebbe to mark his visit.
Dr. Bach praised Uganda for its sporting talent and potential, highlighting the country’s recent successes on the global stage. “Uganda should brace itself for the amount of talent this country possesses,” Bach said.
He also encouraged Uganda to take a leadership role in the region’s sports movement, drawing parallels to the country’s leadership in political and economic spheres.
As he heads to Kenya, Dr. Bach is expected to continue discussions on the Olympic movement’s role in fostering unity and development in the region, as well as promoting sports among refugees and young athletes.
