Uganda’s athletics journey, rooted in endurance traditions and shaped by a century of resilience, enters a historic chapter as the country prepares for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
This year marks 100 years since the formal organization of athletics in Uganda—a milestone being commemorated with one of the most promising national teams ever assembled.
From the rhythmic footraces of the Sebei highlands to global stardom on Olympic and World Championship tracks, Uganda’s century-long athletics story is one of transformation.
What began in 1925 under colonial influence has evolved into a powerful force in international long-distance running, with athletes like John Akii-Bua, Dorcus Inzikuru, Joshua Cheptegei, and Jacob Kiplimo writing their names into history.
Tokyo 2025 will be both a battleground and a tribute. Uganda’s contingent features a blend of experience and youthful talent, including global stars Cheptegei and Kiplimo. They are joined by a new generation led by Keneth Kiprop and Loice Chekwemoi—young athletes who embody the country’s sustained pipeline of elite runners.
Beyond the medals, this campaign carries symbolic weight. Uganda’s participation in Tokyo—on the centenary of organized athletics—echoes a full-circle moment.
Japan is the country where Akii-Bua stunned the world with his 400m hurdles gold at the 1972 Munich Olympics, setting a world record and igniting Uganda’s belief on the world stage.
Now, a century since the first documented races in missionary schools and colonial outposts, Uganda returns to Tokyo with renewed purpose.
The athletes run not just for victory, but to honor a legacy that spans generations—from barefoot village tracks to world-class stadiums.
The Uganda Athletics Federation plans to release a centenary documentary and commemorate the milestone with events at home, highlighting how far the sport has come—and where it hopes to go.
