Uganda Athletics Federation President Domenic Otucet has paid glowing tribute to Olympic legend John Akii-Bua, describing him as the cornerstone of Uganda’s athletics legacy ahead of the Akii-Bua Memorial Meet scheduled for June 7, 2025, at Mandela National Stadium.
Speaking in the lead-up to the event, which will bring together 170 athletes including eight international participants from South Sudan and Kenya, Otucet underscored the symbolic power of Akii-Bua’s gold medal win at the 1972 Munich Olympics and its lasting impact on Ugandan sport.
“John Akii-Bua is a national pride because he was the first athlete to open doors for gold medals in Uganda,” said Otucet. “So far, Uganda has five gold medals for only athletics, and he is a cornerstone of our legacy.”
The 2025 edition of the Akii-Bua Memorial marks a historic transition from Lira City to the national stage, forming part of the Uganda Athletics Federation’s flagship event to celebrate 100 years of athletics in the country. For Otucet, the move is both symbolic and strategic.
“There is no better figure to represent this celebration than Akii-Bua. His achievement took four decades to match, and that shows just how significant his legacy is to our country,” he said.
The meet will feature elite track competitions starting at 2:00 PM, preceded by a mass race at 7:00 AM, children’s athletics activities, and a cultural performance from the Uganda Police Band. The day-long celebration will blend competitive sport with tributes to Uganda’s rich athletic history.
UAF will also honour Akii-Bua’s family and recognise other past and present legends who have raised Uganda’s flag on the global stage.
