President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda hosted [1] Stephen Kiprotich at his country home for the second time following his victory representing Uganda at the men's marathon [2] 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 [3] 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 [4]) reported:
Stephen #Kiprotich [5] also gets a brand new Pajero, a house in Kapchorwa and a monthly allowance of Shs 5m for winning the #IAAF [6] marathon
— The Observer (@observerug) August 23, 2013 [7]
After hearing the news, Omaido Blair (@BlairAO [8]) suggested:
@observerug [4] why not put up the high altitude facility already to produce more of his kind
— Omaido Blair (@BlairAO) August 23, 2013 [9]
Angelo Izama (@Opiaiya [10]), a Ugandan journalist and analyst noted:
There is more to aspirations than material gain. #Kiprotich [5]‘s gold is symbolic.Don't piss on it even with good intentions. #Uganda [11]
— Angelo Izama (@Opiaiya) August 24, 2013 [12]
He also asked:
Can they not find other ways to immortalize #Kiprotich [5]? Is their message to their children run for money or run for glory? #Uganda [11]
— Angelo Izama (@Opiaiya) August 24, 2013 [13]
T. Ddumba (@tomddumba [14]) replied:
@Opiaiya [15] Celebrating Greatness is our biggest challenge! #Kiprotich [5] is a humble man. It's a shame we can't think further than money!
— T. Ddumba (@tomddumba) August 24, 2013 [16]
Catherine Byaruhanga (@cathkemi [17]), a BBC Uganda multi-media reporter, responded:
“@Opiaiya [15]: While money reflects the success of his achievement, over focus on money demeans it too. #Uganda [11] #Kiprotich [5]“
— Catherine Byaruhanga (@cathkemi) August 24, 2013 [18]
Kobel Christopher (@oluwenyi [19]), an artist and poet, said:
#Kiprotich [5] 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 [20]
Collins Mugume (@cmugume [21]), 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 [5] #Uganda [11]
— Collins Mugume (@cmugume) August 23, 2013 [22]
Patrick Mugumya (@mugumya [23]) criticized Museveni, whom he calls “Sevo” in his tweeet, for his gesture:
Again Sevo does somethin unsustainable in gifting #Kiprotich [5]. If we got 10 golds, statehouse would default on its precedence. Ask Kipsiro
— Patrick Mugumya (@mugumya) August 23, 2013 [24]
Making reference to Ugandan workers who often have to strike when demanding salary increase, Ugandan campaign strategist E. Otim (@iDEASUG [25]) advised Ugandans:
If u want more money join athletics and win medals & u'll be treated like #Kiprotich [5] promotions & money without striking #Uganda [11]
— E. Otim (@iDEASUG) August 19, 2013 [26]
On a positive note, Ugandan communications consultant Maureen Agena (@maureenagena [27]) 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 [5]. #media [28]
— Maureen Agena (@maureenagena) August 18, 2013 [29]