Ugandans Blast President’s Gifts to Country’s Marathon Champion · Global Voices
Prudence Nyamishana

President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda hosted Stephen Kiprotich at his country home for the second time following his victory representing Uganda at the men's marathon on 17 August, 2013 at the Moscow World Athletics Championships. For winning gold in Moscow, Museveni gave Kiprotich a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero and promised to build the athlete a three-bedroom house, gifts that stirred mixed reactions online.
Stephen Kiprotich at the London 2012 Men's Olympic Marathon. Photo released under Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Flickr user Peter Mooney.
Kiprotich is also the 2012 Olympic champion in the marathon. This was the first Olympic medal for Uganda since 1996, the first gold medal since 1972, and the first ever in the marathon.
Kiprotich is not only breaking records in Uganda. The ever-smiling runner is also the third person to win both the Olympic and World championship gold.
With the World Athletics Championship gold added to his collection, the Ugandan runner is now being mentioned in the same breath with other African great runners like Kenenisa Bekele and Haile Gebrselassie.
The Ugandan Observer newspaper (@observerug) reported:
Stephen #Kiprotich also gets a brand new Pajero, a house in Kapchorwa and a monthly allowance of Shs 5m for winning the #IAAF marathon
— The Observer (@observerug) August 23, 2013
After hearing the news, Omaido Blair (@BlairAO) suggested:
@observerug why not put up the high altitude facility already to produce more of his kind
— Omaido Blair (@BlairAO) August 23, 2013
Angelo Izama (@Opiaiya), a Ugandan journalist and analyst noted:
There is more to aspirations than material gain. #Kiprotich‘s gold is symbolic.Don't piss on it even with good intentions. #Uganda
— Angelo Izama (@Opiaiya) August 24, 2013
He also asked:
Can they not find other ways to immortalize #Kiprotich? Is their message to their children run for money or run for glory? #Uganda
— Angelo Izama (@Opiaiya) August 24, 2013
T. Ddumba (@tomddumba) replied:
@Opiaiya Celebrating Greatness is our biggest challenge! #Kiprotich is a humble man. It's a shame we can't think further than money!
— T. Ddumba (@tomddumba) August 24, 2013
Catherine Byaruhanga (@cathkemi), a BBC Uganda multi-media reporter, responded:
“@Opiaiya: While money reflects the success of his achievement, over focus on money demeans it too. #Uganda #Kiprotich“
— Catherine Byaruhanga (@cathkemi) August 24, 2013
Kobel Christopher (@oluwenyi), an artist and poet, said:
#Kiprotich clear example that Talent breeds Success put aside that 60's-70's theory of u have to be studied to make it in lyf.
— kobel Christopher (@oluwenyi) August 24, 2013
Collins Mugume (@cmugume), a Ugandan business junkie, had this to say:
Holy Smokes! I should have been born with a running talent!!! 5 Million Ugx pay per month for life if you win Gold. #Kiprotich #Uganda
— Collins Mugume (@cmugume) August 23, 2013
Patrick Mugumya (@mugumya) criticized Museveni, whom he calls “Sevo” in his tweeet, for his gesture:
Again Sevo does somethin unsustainable in gifting #Kiprotich. If we got 10 golds, statehouse would default on its precedence. Ask Kipsiro
— Patrick Mugumya (@mugumya) August 23, 2013
Making reference to Ugandan workers who often have to strike when demanding salary increase, Ugandan campaign strategist E. Otim (@iDEASUG) advised Ugandans:
If u want more money join athletics and win medals & u'll be treated like #Kiprotich promotions & money without striking #Uganda
— E. Otim (@iDEASUG) August 19, 2013
On a positive note, Ugandan communications consultant Maureen Agena (@maureenagena) pointed out the narrative about Uganda should now change:
The narrative about Uganda shd change from idi Amin to a country that has both Olympic and Worldchampion #Kiprotich. #media
— Maureen Agena (@maureenagena) August 18, 2013