Uganda’s first participation in the Olympic Games was way back in 1956 and has never missed any edition apart from 1976 when African countries including Uganda boycotted the games.
In all those editions, the country has only managed to scoop seven medals. Amazingly, these medals have come from athletics and boxing disciplines only despite participation in many sports disciplines.
Of the seven medals, three are silver while two are gold and two bronze. Before Stephen Kiprotich’s gold medal in the recently concluded London games, Uganda’s gold had come in 1972 courtesy of the legendary John Akii Bua in the 4000 m hurdles but it was the first medal for Uganda at the Olympics in 16 years since Davis Kamoga’s bronze in Atlanta 1996.
In our legendary column this Monday, Kawowo sports’ Ismael Kiyonga digs deep in the archives and writes about the country’s medallists in the Olympics since Uganda started being part of the competition.
Let’s get started;
Eridad Mukwanga (Silver, Mexico 1968; Boxing):
Mukwanga won Uganda a silver medal in the 1968 Mexico games in the Bantam weight category. He beat Mexican boxer Roberto Cervantes in the first round, then defeated Korea’s Chang Kyou-Chul before losing to Soviet Union’s Valerian Solokov in the finals on technical out to settle for silver.
He holds the record for winning Uganda’s first medal at the games. He was born 12th, July 1943 and died in 1997. May his soul in Eternal peace.
Leo Rwabogo (Bronze, Mexico 1968 & Silver 1972 Munich; Boxing):
He holds the record for being the only Ugandan sports personality to win a medal at two events. He managed a bronze in Mexico 1968 and then silver in 1972 in Flyweight boxing category.
Rwabogo still remains the only Ugandan to win more than one medal at the Olympics. Born on 3rd June 1949, he passed away on 14th January 2009.
John Akii Bua (Gold, Munich 1972 Athletics)
He won Uganda her first gold medal at the Olympics at the 1972 Munich games in the 400 m hurdles. He didn’t only win a medal but also set a world record time then of 47.82 seconds
John “The Beast” Mugabi (Silver 1980 Moscow, Boxing):
He is one of the greatest boxers Uganda has ever produced. He won silver at the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980 and from then, he became a professional boxer and won lots of fights. Mugabi was born March 4, 1960.
Fortunately, he is still alive and lives in Florida USA.
Davis Kamoga (Bronze, Atlanta 1996; Athletics):
Before Stephen Kiprotich’s medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Kamoga held the record for being the last Ugandan to win an Olympic medal.
He won the bronze in the 400 m heats in Atlanta, Georgia 1996. Born in July 17th, 1968, the 44 year old is still alive and kicking.
Stephen Kiprotich (Gold, London 2012; Athletics):
The 23 year old Kapchorwa born holds the record for being the second Ugandan sports man to win gold at the Olympic Games.
The Assistant Superintendent of Prisons won the gold medal in 2012 at the London Olympic Games in the 42km marathon race.
At only 23, the future is still ahead of him and who knows whether there are many more medals to expect from the young lad at Brazil 2016.
