Uganda’s junior athletics team returned home to celebrations and new promises of support after a stellar showing at the 4th Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) U18 & U20 Championships in Nigeria, where they bagged nine medals—four gold, four bronze, and one silver.
The young athletes were hosted at Copper Chimney in Lugogo, where pride and optimism filled the air during a special ceremony organized to honor their achievements.
Among those present was Joseph Oluga, the Assistant General Secretary for Administration at the National Council of Sports (NCS), who praised the team for flying the Ugandan flag high and reaffirmed the government’s deepening commitment to athletics.
“Uganda Athletics is one of the most active and organized federations. It has decorated Uganda on the global stage by winning many international medals for the country,” Oluga said.
He pointed to Uganda’s consistent rise in international athletics as part of a deliberate strategy backed by state investment.
A key piece of that strategy, Oluga noted, is the Teryet National High Altitude Training Centre in Kapchorwa, which is now operational. He also revealed that a second facility will be constructed in Kabale, to further support elite training and host regional athletics events.
In a further boost, Oluga reminded athletes that Uganda’s laws already provide for monthly rewards of UGX 5 million to gold medalists from international competitions like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, All-Africa Games, Youth Olympics, and Islamic Solidarity Games.
“This is already in law—athletes who win gold from major competitions are entitled to monthly support for their sustainability,” Oluga emphasized.
Looking ahead, the government, through NCS, is set to introduce a broader recognition and reward scheme that will see all top-performing athletes receive a monthly income, effectively treating them as salaried professionals.
The athletes were encouraged to stay focused, return to serious training, and aim for the podium again—with the added motivation that their efforts will not only bring national pride, but also financial security.
