Thousands of individuals in Uganda came together on Saturday to honor Rebecca Cheptegei, the late Olympic athlete who tragically passed away last week in Kenya after being set on fire by her partner. The military funeral was held in a remote town close to the Kenyan border, where military officers, recognizing Cheptegei’s rank as a sergeant in Uganda’s army, provided a funeral ceremony that included a gun salute befitting her position.
During the funeral in the district of Bukwo, athletes, family members, and other attendees delivered heartfelt eulogies, with many expressing their condemnation of domestic violence. Bukwo resident district commissioner Ajilong B. Modestar called the nation to unite against such acts of violence and expressed deep sorrow over Cheptegei’s tragic death.
Cheptegei, aged 33, was laid to rest at her father’s homestead following an incident where she suffered 80% burns after being attacked by Dickson Ndiema, who also sustained severe burns and later succumbed to his injuries. The attack stemmed from a dispute over a piece of land that the athlete had purchased in Kenya.
The heinous attack brought attention to the exploitation and abuse faced by female runners in Kenya, prompting a call for better protection for these athletes. Cheptegei’s body was repatriated to Uganda in a solemn procession after activists in Eldoret, Kenya, called for an end to violence against female athletes during a street march.
This tragic incident is not an isolated case, as Cheptegei’s death marks the fourth female athlete killed by a partner in Kenya, shedding light on the concerning issue of gender-based violence in the country. Ugandan officials, including First Lady Janet Museveni and sports authorities, have spoken out against the attack, emphasizing the need for justice and condemning such appalling acts.
The attack on Cheptegei has sparked outrage and demands for action to address the high rates of violence against women in Kenya. Many female athletes from Uganda train in Kenya due to its superior facilities, but the recent events have highlighted the risks faced by these athletes. Cheptegei, who had recently participated in the Paris Olympics, was a respected athlete who represented Uganda in various competitions.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the prevalent issue of violence against women in East Africa and the urgent need for stronger measures to protect female athletes from harm and exploitation.
