Museveni: Kiprotich is NRM because he went to the bush

For starters, President Museveni missed out on watching Kiprotich’s historic run to the Olympic gold in the marathon race in London.

“I was passing out soldiers at Kabamba that day,” the President said.

However, having watched Moses Kipsiro in action the evening before, Museveni had some wise counsel for the former Commonwealth champion.

According to the President, Kipsiro lacked ‘stamina’ to push in the closing laps in which that ‘British Somali boy (in reference to Mo Farah) did well.’

Then in apparent response to criticism that the government has not invested in sports, the President explained; “we have not had time to concentrate on sports because there have been serious issues like security, roads and electricity to address first.’

A jovial Museveni went on to state that “this gold medal was God’s work.” 

But quoting a Luganda proverb, ‘Lubaale mbeera nga nembiro kwotadde’, the he reiterated the need for government support to sports. The President drew applause when he said that Kiprotich’s exploits in London confirmed that that the 23-year-old is a true ‘NRM kid.’

“Kiprotich is a real member of the NRM because he went to the bush in Kenya for training and got assisted by God,” Museveni joked, and amidst laughter added: “I have heard you say that some people here helped him; did they go with him to Kenya?

The ruling NRM party, which the President chairs, has been in power since 1986. And, the President fondly refers to all children born after his advent to power as NRM kids.

However, good news for sports is that the President committed to ensure that supports athletes who excel at continental levels and beyond. Amongst the key benefits the President declared include monthly pay of Shs 1m, recruitment opportunities into armed forces and other government institutions.

He also assured that a high altitude training camp in Kapochorwa districts (where Kiprotich and Kipsiro hail) will be completed within a year. Furthermore, the head of state tasked sports minister Jessica Alupo to examine the possible of ensuring every secondary school has a sports training program.

“We don’t necessarily need a lot of money, but we can use the little available resources to locate and organize talent within our systems and excel,” the President said.

At end of the breakfast, Museveni rewarded Kiprotich with Shs 200m and a three-bed roomed house for his parents.

Hours before, the golden hero had just been promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Prisons (ASP) from a mere warder in Uganda Prisons.  

Source: The Observer