Despite different sports federations decrying underfunding from government, President Yoweri Museveni claims that government has massively contributed to the success achieved in the sports sector.
While addressing Olympians at an event meant to honor their 2020 Tokyo heroics at the Kololo Independence Grounds, Museveni said peace, UPE and NRM’s low cost techniques of doing things without money are some of the reasons Uganda’s Olympics team did very well.
He said the peace enabled the athletes to train smoothly and prepare for the Olympics.
“I recently read an article written by one of your people saying that our success in Japan was a miracle because we spent Shs18b while Kenya spent Shs450b. This was not a miracle. Uganda is uniquely endowed,” said Museveni.
The president claimed that government has always supported the sports sector through various institutions like police.
He further revealed that they are willing to do more for the sector as he directed armed forces to recruit talented sportsmen and women so that they earn a salary.
Rewarding medalists
Museveni handed over vehicles to Joshua Cheptegei, Peruth Chemutai and Jacob Kiplimo for winning medals in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He also promised to build houses for their parents.
He also reminded the relevant authorities to respect his directive of issuing monthly payments to the medalists.
“I once said that anybody who wins gold at a continental level, commonwealth, and Olympics should be paid Shs5 million a month, Shs3m for silver and Shs1m for bronze. I have been told that they have been receiving this money quarterly. That is not what I said. There money should come monthly,” he said.