Ugandan athletes have renewed calls for greater recognition and support from the government as they complete final preparations for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, set for September 13 to 21.
Despite regularly winning medals and flying the national flag at international events, athletes say they are not accorded the same appreciation and incentives as footballers.
Long-distance runner Tom Dradriga voiced the frustration, stressing that qualifying for world championships requires immense sacrifice yet the rewards remain limited.
“As athletes, we go through a lot to qualify for these world championships and raise the Ugandan flag high, but we have not been given enough support like football,” Dradriga said.
The team has been in a two-month residential training camp at Trinity Biblical Institute, where preparations have intensified ahead of their departure beginning September 10.
Officials say the squad is fully prepared for the competition but believe stronger government recognition would boost morale and inspire better performances.
Uganda is expected to send a competitive team to Tokyo, hoping to add to its growing reputation in athletics while keeping pressure on authorities to treat all sports disciplines with equal importance.
