President Museveni has promised to reward all Ugandan Sports Personalities, living or dead that have won Gold, Silver or Bronze for the Nation.
In a written address to the nation, released on Tuesday evening (July 14th, 2020) the President eulogized the late Jimmy Kirunda who captained the Uganda AFCON 1978 Finalist team.
“On account of being pre-occupied with the virus[COVID-19], I did not comment directly on the death of Kirunda, the footballer, or Major- General Kasirye – Ggwanga.” Museveni noted in his address.
The president confessed that he had actually never heard about the late Kirunda, until he passed on. In his defence, Museveni noted that the time Kirunda was at the top of his game, he was pre-occupied with freedom struggles and didn’t have time for recreation or leisure.
“It is because for 16 years (1971-1986) we, the freedom fighters, were cut off from and we were not concentrating on the pleasure and leisure activities that were going on in Uganda.” Museveni recalled.
He said that his attention would only be spiked by extra-ordinary performances by East African sports persons and recalled Kipchoge Keino (Record for 1500 metres in Mexico City, 1968) Akii Bua (400 meters hurdles record in the Munich Games, 1972) among others.
Museveni tasked the Ministry of Education and Sports to compile all the exemplary Ugandan sports performers at the African, continental level, commonwealth or the Olympics since 1954 so that they or their families can be rewarded.
“Anybody that won a gold, silver or bronze medal, should be rewarded whether alive or dead. If dead, the family can benefit.” Museveni said.
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